As a pregnant bride, shopping for a wedding dress can cause your anxiety level to skyrocket as maternity wedding dresses may appear to be far and few between. But wedding dress shopping can be a fun and enjoyable experience, no matter how far along you are. You just need to know how to accentuate your body and find the perfect style.
Below are some tips to find that dream dress as a pregnant bride-to-be.
Select Bump-Friendly Fabrics
When shopping for a bridal gown for a pregnant bride, the fabric of the dress is important, especially if alterations will be made to accommodate your growing belly. Lightweight materials of crepe, tulle, and chiffon will allow ease of movement on the wedding day. Avoid clingy materials such as satin to prevent an uncomfortable stiffness.
Buy a Larger Size Bridal Dress
Pregnancy wedding dresses usually provide room for the baby to grow without compromising the style of the gown. As it can be difficult to envision the size of the belly, hips, and chest at a future pregnancy stage, we recommend to purchasing a wedding dress in at least two sizes larger.
The golden rule is to add an inch to each measurement for every month until the wedding date itself. Remember, for the most part, it is easier to alter a dress to a smaller size than to expand it in certain body areas. Using a maternity pillow to gauge the size when trying on dresses may help you.
Shop Bump-Friendly Silhouettes
When selecting a wedding dress as a pregnant bride, the key is to find a silhouette that works for any trimester. As mentioned above, it’s hard to predict what size you’ll be on your special day or how much your belly will have grown. So instead of finding a dress that fits your body now, find a silhouette that will better complement her baby bump as well as your ever-changing shape of her body.
Consider trying empire waists and ruched waistlines. Of course, the traditional A-line or ball gown design will also provide a flattering silhouette.
Choose a Strapped Dresses
With pregnancy comes a larger bust for most women. To be comfortable without cause for concern, consider shopping for a gown with straps. Strapless dresses place the security of the bodice at the chest and stomach regions. This can create discomfort and mild pain for the bride, depending on her pregnancy stage.
Do Your Dress Fitting Closer to the Wedding Date
Planning a wedding can be stressful even when a bride has many helpers. Relieve your stress and worry over the wedding dress fitting by hiring a seamstress that has experience in maternity wedding dress alterations. Discuss your concerns about when the final dress fitting should take place and schedule it as close to the wedding date as possible.
Shop at Opportunity Bridal’s Wedding Dress Sale Events
Looking for the right wedding dress? Check the hundreds of wedding dresses available at Opportunity Bridal’s pop-up sales events. From national and international designers and manufacturers, the selection of styles and sizes are at unbelievable discounts of 50% to 80% off the suggested retail price. Check here to find a pop-up wedding sale near you!
Ricarda is the National Sales Manager for Opportunity Bridal. Ricarda comes from a creative background but has been working in the Bridal industry for over 5 years and has done over 300 sales events, coast to coast. Her mission is to create welcoming and warm experiences for everyone she meets and loves the chance to learn and share her knowledge of the Bridal industry with others.
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