How to Shop for Plus Size Wedding Dresses

Wedding experts recommend that you start shopping for your wedding dress around nine months before your big day. But when the times comes, what is it that you should keep in mind?

Many plus-size brides worry about finding the right fit, but the reality is that when shopping for a wedding dress, although certain dress styles may be more flattering than others for full-figured women, if you follow some general dress shopping tips, you’re sure to look radiant on your day of betrothal.

5 Tips for Finding the Dress of Your Dreams

Shopping for any wedding dress involves a lot of careful pre-planning such as researching dress styles, prices, and colors. Thinking about whether you want a designer dress. Wondering if you should go for the more revealing option. Wondering what the groom or other bride will think. Wondering what the family will think.

Here’s a quick guide to simplifying your mental chatter while also choosing a fantastic gown.

1. Accentuate the Positive: Despite what the media and culture (and maybe even your parents) might condition you to think, all bodies are beautiful. True, it might be more difficult to find plus-size wedding dresses than dresses in “standard” sizes. Butit’s hardly impossible. The truth is, you deserve to look and feel beautiful, and confident on your wedding day. So the first step in searching for your dress? Own your body and your beauty.
2. Know Your Measurements: Make sure you take your measurements accurately or better yet, get measured by a professional.
3. Research Size-Inclusive Shops & Designers: There are plenty of amazing wedding dress brands that cater specifically to curvier brides-to-be.
4. Be Open-Minded: If you have your heart set on a certain type of dress, we won’t deny you the pleasure of wearing it. But by being flexible and considering more than one dress, you may just find your dream dress during your next fitting.
5. Bring Supportive Family or Chosen Family Along: Bring those family members and/or friends that you trust to provide you with constructive (but kind) advice and feedback, if possible.

What’s the Best Wedding Dress for Plus Size Brides?

There is no “one-size-fits-all" solution or singular best wedding dress style for plus size brides. Every woman is different. Everybody’s shape is different, regardless of size. That having been said, we recommend shopping by body shape and type rather than simply finding a gown that’s meant for a curvier bride. We highly recommend reading our blog post “How to find the perfect wedding dress for your body shape”.

Here are some additional tips:

• If you’re unsure of where to start with regard to style, A-line dresses, Empire dresses, wrap dresses, sheath dresses, and fit and flare dresses are usually flattering dress styles for curvier brides.
• Don’t attempt to hide your curves by getting a dress that’s either too small or too large.
• You may wish to avoid overly fitted bodices for both style’s sake and comfort’s sake.
• Shapewear can be a great way to achieve a slimming look.
• Consider the color of your dress as well as the cut. Today’s brides are increasingly embracing colors other than white.

Learn More

At Dimitra Designs, we’re here to make finding the perfect wedding dress, tux, and bridal party attire easy.

We encourage you to reach out if you have any additional questions about finding your dream dress!