From grand destination weddings to intimate ceremonies, everyone loves a good wedding. But anyone who has ever planned a wedding knows that, behind the scenes, it can get pretty stressful. You have to book the venue, deal with caterers and suppliers, and of course, find the perfect dress.
For some brides, the wedding dress is the most important part of the planning process. Most women spend months trying on dresses before they settle on a design. It’s difficult enough as it is, but it’s twice as hard if you’re shopping for plus-size wedding dresses.
Are you a big, beautiful bride? Read on for our guide to wedding dresses and which brands have inclusive sizing.
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How To Choose Wedding Dresses For Plus-Size Brides
Your wedding is your day, so you want to look and feel as good as possible. When shopping for wedding dresses, keep these things in mind, and you’ll be sure to find a beautiful dress.
Your Wedding Date & Time
When are you getting married? Is it going to be outdoors in the summer, when it’s hot? Or are you getting married in the fall at nighttime?
If you know it’s going to be warm during your wedding, you might want to opt for simple, short, and light wedding dresses (unless you’re ready to sweat throughout the whole ceremony). If it’s going to be cold, you’ll at least know that a heavy dress with sleeves won’t be too much of a problem.
Another thing you have to consider is whether your bridal gown is ready-to-wear, made-to-order, or completely custom-made. The more customisations you require, the longer it will take before the dress is finished. Keep your timeline in mind, and make sure you have more than enough time to get the dress before the wedding itself.
Your Wedding’s Location
A beach wedding and a church wedding will probably call for two very different dresses. Again, this is mostly about comfort. A structured corset with a long lace train might not be suitable if you’re walking along the shore – a simple silk shift that ends above the ankles will fare much better.
Your Body Type
Depending on the shape of your body, some cuts and styles will flatter you more than others. For more bottom-heavy women, deep necklines, cinched waists, and A-line skirts will draw attention away from your hips and balance out your silhouette. For top-heavy ladies, go for fuller skirts and high necklines.
Your Budget
Weddings are expensive AF, and chances are your dress will be too. We understand that your wedding is a once in a lifetime event (hopefully), and you want to look stunning on your special day. We’re not saying you should cut corners, but you don’t have to spend thousands of dollars on a dress you’ll wear once.
Set a budget and go into fittings with an open mind. Consider ready-to-wear options or even a rental. You never know, you might find cheap plus-size wedding dresses at a fraction of your original estimated cost.
Your Style
Most importantly, your wedding dress has to be something you love. It’s your wedding after all! So whether you want a more casual, laidback vibe or the full-on princess experience, what matters the most is that you feel beautiful and comfortable at your wedding.
Do’s And Don’t’s Of Wedding Dress Shopping
DO: Bring your best mate to the fittings.
Always have someone you trust when you’re shopping for dresses. They need to have your best interest in mind and be honest with you when something isn’t working.
DO: Go as traditional or as out-of-the-box as you want.
We can’t stress this enough – it’s your wedding, so you get to do what you want! Do you want a black wedding dress? Sure. A secondhand vintage gown from the 1940s? No problem. Don’t let anyone tell you what you should do for your own wedding!
DO: Pick the right shade of white.
You won’t understand just how many shades of white there are until you go wedding dress shopping. From ivory to eggshell to off-white, different shades suit different skin tones.
DON’T: Wait until the last minute.
Even if you had a model’s body, you wouldn’t be able to pick something off the rack and just wear it. Wedding dresses can take months from your first fitting to the final alterations. While it’s technically possible to rush getting a wedding dress, you’re just adding more stress than necessary.
DON’T: Buy a dress online.
Online shopping is cool and all, but if you buy your wedding dress online, you’re leaving a lot of things up to chance. You might get something that fits weirdly, has tears/rips, or not even resemble the picture at all! It’s possible that you’ll have to blow lots of money on alterations or scrap the dress altogether.
DON’T: Feel bad about not finding the “perfect fit”.
Finding the right dress takes time. It might take you weeks or even months of searching to find one you really, really love. And if you can’t find the “perfect fit”, that’s fine! Most wedding dresses are tailored to fit your measurements, anyway.
Where To Buy Plus-Size Wedding Dresses
The bridal industry is pretty notorious for pushing a certain set of beauty standards. Women are encouraged to drop the pounds so that they look their “best” for the big day. Wedding dresses are designed for slimmer bodies and rarely come in bigger sizes. If you’re any larger than a size 10 (much less a size 22), looking for a dress becomes an impossible challenge.
Thankfully, some fashion houses and designers have really stepped it up and started offering their gorgeous gowns in every size. Here are the best wedding dresses for plus-sized brides for all seasons.
4. Slinky Silk Camisole
Perfect for: A laidback wedding on the beach
Shop this look: Camisole Flare Maxi Skirt, $AUD 285
3. Lace & Fringe
Perfect for: An outdoors bohemian wedding
Shop this look: Wanderlust, $AUD 4,200
2. Nude Illusion
Perfect for: A modest, traditional wedding
Shop this look: Modest Dress With Sleeves, price upon request
1. Wedding Jumpsuit
Perfect for: An unconventional wedding
Shop this look: Cape Sleeve Wedding Jumpsuit, $AUD 300
Conclusion
Shopping for anything as a plus-sized beauty is hard, even more so if you’re shopping for a wedding dress. But that shouldn’t discourage you from finding a dress that makes you feel good! No matter what your size or style, there’s a perfect dress out there for you.
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