The reality is that the average American woman wears a size 14 dress, which is into the plus size collection in many brands. As average as this size may be, when you are a larger woman shopping for a wedding dress, it can sometimes feel like you are all alone. There is no doubt that being a plus sized bride can present its own unique challenges, particularly when it comes to finding your dream plus size wedding dress. However, you are not alone, and with these dos and don'ts to guide you, you will be able to find a wedding ensemble that makes you feel absolutely gorgeous on your special day.
Do: Visit all bridal shops, not just those that advertise that they stock gowns in all sizes. The finer designer gowns are made-to-order anyway, so even if the store only carries samples in a size 8 or 10, you can still have any gown that you like made to fit you like a dream. In fact, you will get a much more flattering fit by ordering a made-to-order gown than you will buying a mass-produced gown off the rack.
Don't: Work with a bridal shop that is not accommodating to plus sized brides. The sad truth is that there are some boutiques out there that will take one look at a bride who is larger than the sample dresses and basically say that they cannot help them. As devastating as this is, don't become disheartened by this cruel people, because there are an equal number of bridal shops who love helping brides of all shapes and sizes feel their most beautiful. They may not carry samples in your size, but a good bridal consultant will have no problem working around that.
Do: Trust the expertise of a consultant that you click with. Bridal consultants work with hundreds of brides a year, and they have seen every dress in the store on every size bride. If your consultant pulls a dress for you to see that she thinks will look fantastic, keep an open mind and try it on, because it may well be "the one".
Don't: Worry if things need to be altered or adjusted for a better fit. This includes not only your wedding dress, but your other accessories as well. Many plus sized brides will find that standard necklaces are too short on them. This problem can be easily remedied with custom bridal Swarovski necklaces. By shopping for beautiful Swarovski bridal necklaces that can be custom ordered, you will find getting the perfect length to be a snap.
Do: Wear great supportive undergarments when you go gown shopping. Not only will they help you to get a better sense of how the gowns will look when you have the right undergarments, but a long body shaper will also help you to feel less exposed as someone is helping you in and out of the dresses.
Don't: Be surprised by a few things that might occur when it comes time to order your dream gown. One is that you might see the consultant order a dress that is one or two sizes than your usual dress size. This can be really depressing, but don't let it bother you; all it means is that sizing in the bridal industry runs differently than in regular clothing. As long as you order the size that best matches your measurements on the size chart, you will be just fine. Another thing to be aware of is that plus sized brides are more likely to face some surcharges from the designers for pattern alterations, whether it is a flat fee for any dress over size 12, or if it is a custom change, such as a combination cut for a petite bride with a large bust. It is a bummer, but it is a fact of life, so don't be taken aback.
Do: Finally, we will end on a do: do enjoy yourself, surround yourself with positive people, and believe that you deserve to feel like a beautiful princess on your wedding day. It might take a little extra work to find it, but just like the right man, the right wedding dress is out there for each and every bride.
