Oh dear readers, I have a problem. A problem with wedding dress shopping.
I don’t like it.
There, I said it. I have loathed the idea of going to try on wedding dresses for months. I got engaged in May and have been able to put off dress shopping until January. DO. NOT. WANT.
And that’s not to say that I don’t like wedding dresses. There’s so much fluffy pretty out there! It’s fun to look at, but only on other people. See, the thing is, I’m not exactly “sample size” material. What’s a plus size girl to do? Go and try on dresses that are close to what you want, and then hold up your dream dress in front of you and try to imagine the magic? Wear a dress that’s pretty much the equivalent of a burlap sack?
And then there’s the public humiliation bit – how undressed will you be in front of the consultant? Will they ask “how much weight do you plan to loose before the wedding?” Will people stare? And what kind of weird, inappropriate comments will sneak out from those that you’ve brought in to support you (you’d be surprised!).
I didn’t want to shop for wedding dresses because of the pressure and the shame that’s put on plus size girls. I didn’t want to be disappointed when I got there and my options were limited. I also didn’t want to be put into some kind of bridal stereotype that I didn’t fit. I have wonderfully supportive bridesmaids, but my dress shopping trip would be one of the first for all of us. So I was scared of wedding dresses.
Maybe it’s not just a plus size bride issue. Maybe this is something that plagues all brides. You want to find a bangin’ dress that makes you feel AWESOME on your wedding day, and you’re bombarded with TULLE! and BEADS! and OPINIONS!!!! and you can’t hear your own voice any more. It’s hard, but I think I’ve found my voice.
So what does that mean? That means it’s time for the story of finding my dress. Up next, my first inspiration pictures, and gathering up the courage to make a phone call…
First of all, you are beautiful. Second, who do you really want to impress? FIANCE of course… and I bet he would think you were beautiful in that burlap sack. you should be super excited. approach it like the positive experience it should be. Did you know that David’s Bridal has a plus size line? You could also call the place, ask if they have some dresses for you to try on. I’m also getting married in 2010, I did find my dress. I found that most of the sample sizes were at least a 14. So enjoy the most exciting shopping trip of your life, and go find your dream dress!
Hi there!
I just came upon your site and saw your post. I was in the same boat. I am also a plus sized bride and put this off for the longest time. Let me tell you-the stress isn’t worth it-they will have dresses that you can fit into. And you will look gorgeous in them. I wear street size clothes in the size of 16-18 and was able to get into the 12-16 size dresses. Sure they can’t completely zip them or tie them up-but you can definitely get the idea.
I’m not exactly sure where you are located but Head to Toe Bridal in Scranton, PA is very nice and has a great selection of dresses in ALL sample sizes. They would never say anything about your weight. Also, they put you in a corset bra and a slip (and they do have all sizes too).
If you are closer to the border, there is a wonderful little boutique in Montrose, PA called RuthAnn’s Bridal where i ended up getting my dress. The owner just knows what is going to look good and i found THE dress there. Every dress was beautiful and her prices are outrageously low! http://www.ruthannsbridal.com
Good luck in your search. I guarantee you will be shocked at what you find!
Kerri
Thanks ladies, I appreciate the words of support from you both.
Ana, I actually just visited David’s Bridal yesterday! I had a really good experience there, and will be posting about it. I just have a lot of thoughts leading up to that point that I need to get out of the way first.
Kerri, Those are excellent suggestions, I haven’t been to either dress shop yet. I’m still early in my process, so I will look them both up.
Again, thank you both!!
I have had similar misgivings with dress shopping.
I went to David’s Bridal a couple of weeks ago and, unfortunately, did not have as good an experience. Not only was the an extremely limited selection of the type of dress I had in mind in anything near my sample size (read: they had essentially all halters and strapless), the consultant was unwilling to allow me to try on anything that was a little too small. I was a size 16-18W in the dresses as David’s, but the consultant was extremely reluctant to let me try on anything in size 14W and below, and if the dress wouldn’t zip, she wouldn’t allow me to show my girls what it looked like. I had to practically beg her to allow me to try on the dress I had in mind, which was only available in a “natural” (not women’s) size 14! I must say, it was just shy of fitting, too! I was amazed that David’s didn’t have those clips that let you clip the dress, open, to your bra so you can get an idea of what it will look like, even if it is too large.
Enough of my venting, I will try elsewhere!