Shopping Tips for Plus-Size Brides

Shopping for a wedding dress can be an exciting (and sometimes stressful) endeavor for any bride. But it becomes more daunting when the bride is full figured.  While many bridal stores cater to a smaller size and some don't even carry gown in plus sizes. Every body type is beautiful and no one should settle for anything less than their dream dress. Full-figured brides:   here are some tips to keep in mind while shopping for the big day. 

In stock size 20

1. Determine a budget before shopping for a gown.
Plus-size gowns do cost more than smaller sizes:  because manufacturers charge a higher percentage for the additional material, beading and lace.  Most brides are excited as they start shopping, but:  work out your budget first. Avoid trying on gowns outside of your price range because you'll either fall in love with one and be disappointed by every other dress you see (even if they're just as beautiful), or you'll blow your budget.

If you do find yourself pining for a gown that costs more than you can afford, ask if there is a similar style that is less expensive.  Or occasionally the dress will come in another fabric that's less expensive.  But please, keep in mind:  if it is not in your budget:  do not try it on.  It's like dating a married man:  not available. 

2. It's perfectly normal to wear a bigger size in bridal than you would in everyday clothing.
Bridal sizes run smaller than most streetwear sizes, in other words:  regular clothes. You’re considered a plus-size bride if you normally wear a size 14 or higher, which would be a size 16 in bridal. All of our designers do offer plus sizes, some stop at a 20 and other go to a size 30.  While many stores only carry samples in sizes 8, 10 and 12:  we do have gowns in all the sizes that women come. Call to make your appointment before you go shopping to ensure that we be able to accommodate you.

Trying on the dress you love in your size is optimal, but not always possible  — we don't want to get stuck with a dress that doesn't fit — so we work closely to help you chose the closest size and best possible fit other than custom cut to your measurements.  We will help you envision exactly how it'll look on the big day.  Some of our designers offer collections exclusively for plus-size brides. No matter if your dream dress is sweet, sophisticated, elegant, causal or dramatic, you're sure to find a gown that flatters your figure.

Size 20W

3. Choose figure-flattering fabrics.
Thicker fabrics such as taffeta are ideal for curvy brides because they smooth everything out, creating a streamlined silhouette. Be aware that strapless styles can make shoulders look wider, so consider opting for styles with a halter, thicker straps or cap sleeves. We will look carefully at the application of heavily-beaded bodices and appliqués, which can draw attention to areas you’d prefer to minimize if not done well.  However there are delicate and light weight fabrics that are just as flattering when properly fit with the right undergarments.  The right lines will whittle you down. 

4. Find the perfect silhouette for your shape.
The most important advice for finding a wedding dress is to know your body shape. Top-heavy brides with hourglass figures look great in fitted bodice & trumpet silhouettes, whereas an A-line cut is better if you're bottom-heavy, and apple-shaped brides look best in empire dresses or ballgowns. 

Being a plus-size bride doesn't mean you can not wear a fitted gown! In fact we have worked with very many ladies who have fantastic full figures and look awesome in fitted gowns!  Keep in mind that Marilyn Monroe & May West were voluptuous women who would be categorized as full figure in a size 14.  Look for a style that flares out at the knee, or right above or below it. The perfect dress isn't complete without the right undergarments. We love our long line bras that are supportive while smoothing the middle out perfectly. We also offer shapewear that firms the tummy, hips, thighs and rear. 

5. Be confident! 
While shopping for a wedding dress, don't be timid. Tell the consultant exactly what you want, and don't let them pressure you into buying a style you're not in love with, no matter how flattering it is. The right dress will make you feel comfortable and beautiful!  When you feel beautiful it will shine through on the pictures for your wedding day.  It's just as important to know what your dislikes are as it is to find out what you love. Stay true to yourself and don't be afraid to seek advice from family, friends and honest professionals!

Timing: Ordering & Alterations

Well, the holidays are behind us and the 2104 bridal season is in full swing.  There have been several bridal shows already this year.  Today we are going to talk about timing for your wedding.

With over four decades of serving brides, we find that most resources still recommend to order your gown only six months before the wedding.  In the mid 90's we subscribed to that belief as well.  Now, it is possible to order your gown six months before the wedding,  but we do not recommend waiting that late.  The world has changed a lot since the 90's.  In the 80's most of the wedding gowns were still made here in the United States.  But with the demand to keep pricing low and improve quality:  all most all of the production has been removed from the United States.  China is one of the largest suppliers of product in our industry.

We have seen embargos:  where the merchandise was held 'captive' in shipping containers on barges on the coast of California.  It was very stressful knowing that our client's gowns were on that ship, that their weddings were ensuing and that we had absolutely no idea of when they might be released.   We have seen strikes at U.P.S. and again, had no idea of when the end would be in site.  In 2011 a large number of factories closed due to profitability.  Did you know that each gown must receive it's own visa to be allowed to enter the country?  Veil's too.  Who would have thought?  Last year China found it's self with a labor shortage and record orders.  This backed production up and many of our orders were up to a full month past anticipated delivery.  We even had a couple of orders that were unable to be completed before the wear date.  This was hugely stressful.  Many customers were very upset with us for things we had absolutely no control over.  We even had a factory close and tell us that they would not be filling the balance of any of our orders.  One of those was for 7 bridesmaids and the wedding was only a few weeks away.  This became the perfect recipe for S-T-R-E-S-S.

We ended up custom making the seven bridesmaid gowns at no additional cost to our client.  I assure you it cost us a lot of time and much more to fill the order than was originally planned.  Our bride was ecstatic and her maids were all happy, but the time and effort and added stress to make 7 bridesmaids in a few weeks was huge for us.

For the last two decades we have changed our opinion and recommendation on when you should order your gown.  We strongly suggest to our brides that they should have all of their orders placed nine full months before the wedding.  This assures plenty of time to resolve any problems and issues and have that gown aisle ready a full month before the wedding:  Our optimal goal.

The mother of the wedding has a tendency to believe that they are going to just go out and pick up a dress. Believe me when I tell you that it is rare when that actually is how it happens.  Most mothers have a very difficult time finding that perfect dress.  As the wedding comes closer the stress levels rise and it only serves to make everyone's life a little more difficult.  We strongly encourage the mother of the wedding to start shopping as soon as she knows when and where the wedding will be.

When ordering a gown the least it would normally take is 14 weeks.  That is 12 weeks for production and two weeks for shipping.  Keep in mind that on the standard six months order time frame, if everything goes perfectly, your gown will be arriving only six weeks before your wedding!  You can order on a rush, but that does cost more due to the changes in production that the factory will have to make.  Additionally, some rushes are simply 'air fare' for the gown, which provides that the gown will be flown in rather then sent on the 'slow boat' from China.  Those boats take approximately 4 weeks to transport from China to the US.

Of course, we have a huge selection of gowns and every single one of them is available, for sale, off the rack. Sometimes that is the easiest and best way to go as you know everything about your gown right now!

At Bella Sposa Bridal & Prom we like to get started on altering the gowns as soon as is possible.  In the event that you would be losing weight we can always hold off on the side seams until close to the wedding.
Normally you would have 2-4 fittings on a bridal gown and 2-3 on a all other types of gowns.  The first fitting will simply be to pin and determine what needs to be done and how much all of that will cost.

The second fitting is to determine if everything is exactly as we want it.  The third fitting is to assure that we have achieved perfection.  Perfection can be a difficult and challenging task.  It takes time!  Lots of time.
Normally we will schedule your fittings approximately two weeks apart, but this is dependant upon how much time there is to that 30 days before the wedding mark we set our sights on.

It is always our goal to have all of our gowns aisle ready, exactly one month before the wedding.  I know stores that do not start their fittings until then:  but we can't recommend that.  It would feel like a recipe for stress and difficulty.  Please know that the last three weeks before your wedding will be extremely busy. You will find  yourself with so many things that can not be done sooner.  The last thing you need to be worrying about is if your gown is perfect and ready.

The final time you come in it will be to pick your gown up.  We suggest that all trying on have been done in advance of this as it will be aisle ready at that time.  Once your gown is pressed you will need to have a great place to hang your gown out so that it is not cramped or crushed.  In the event that you do not have such a place, we suggest leaving it here, at the salon, as long as possible.  We have designated areas to hang gowns once they are pressed.  The majority of our brides pick their gowns up on the Thursday before their wedding.  Of course, as with all things, there are variables that we will work through, together, to your satisfaction.

So, the long and short of our advice here is: be a prepared bride and order all of your merchandise at least 9 months before the wedding.  Anything less becomes an increasing recipe for stress....the longer you might wait.  It is our goal to eliminate as many problems and as much stress as is possible for our clients.