Is it strange to buy a wedding dress before you’re officially engaged?

[Anonymous]

My boyfriend and I are in our early 30’s and we have discussed our future together and have been together nearly a year and a half. We know we want to get married, but he wants to have more in his savings before we do so. I found the perfect dress for me online on Etsy (I rarely will ever even wear a dress, let alone see one I like) and am tempted to buy it and hide it away for the future. It’s an amazing price and I worry that it'll either increase, run out of stock, or not exist for some other reason and don’t want to lose out.

Is buying my dream dress while in a serious relationship but ahead of an official engagement a weird/ idea?

[Anonymous]

Yes it seems a little weird. Because if he finds out he’s going to feel pressured, so the timing may come simply because he felt pressured and not for the right reason. Also, what would you do if you two broke up? Then some years later you met someone. Then got married. Would you still wear this same dress knowing that it would probably remind you of the other dude? For some reason I think he’s not really all that hyped up about getting married. He talks about it to keep you at bay, cause he knows that’s what you want to hear. Was he married before? Does he have kids? What about you?

[Twalli]

I would not recommend it, especially since you haven't really been together that long. There is no time limit between engagement and marriage. People can be engaged for years before getting married. The only reason to wait to propose is that you can't afford a ring, or you're not 100% sure that you want to marry that person. So waiting for more money, if he can afford a ring, really only makes sense if it's before marriage. I know plenty of people who are engaged for years, but they want to finish school or get a certain position at work before getting married. Until he gives you a ring, don't get a dress.
As for the dress you want, take a picture of it. Keep a record of how it looks. If you go to a bridal shop, because you can't find it online anymore, show them the picture and say you want one in that style. They can find you a lot of similar dresses and you should find one that you like.

[kylee2437]

I wouldn’t say strange but definitely getting ahead of yourself I guess.

[Anonymous]

that is very weird... and will cause issues if he finds out.

[slatyb]

My wife bought one six months after we met. She saw it at a thrift store for $10. Priscilla of Boston. She wore it about eight years later. It fit like it was made for her.

[WTFdivorce]

Sounds like you are excited about getting married. Nothing wrong with that just don't let it consume you.

[KatherineJ]

Don’t jinx it. Put the dress down!

[Anonymous]

Yes but I would do the same.