Worried about dress shopping

Please don't be nervous, its meant to be an enjoyable experience. It may be best to check with the stores what size samples they have before you make an appointment. The store I got my dress from has samples that go up to size 26

Don't be nervous at all. Pick your shop carefully & ring them beforehand to guage what their service to you will be. I too am a curvy bride & was made to feel like I was the most beautiful bride to be ever.....any worthwhile assistant will make you feel the same. It doesnt matter what size you are, you should still be really excited - its a fabulous experience, IF you get the right shop & assistant.

Good luck - come back & let us know how you get on.

Definitely check the shops you book appointments with to make sure they have a good selection of samples in your size. I am a bridesmaid soon to a girl who is 'curvier' than you. We went to an appointment that left her mortified, as although they told her they could cater for her, it turned out they stocked very few samples in a bigger size. So make sure you check that they stock samples that aren't all a size 10.

I really hope you have a great experience and that you enjoy dress shopping, is really is one of the best bits!

Have a peep at our article with tips for the curvy bride when wedding dress shopping.

Hope this helps.

I don't know your location or the style you are looking for but I can highly recommend Candy Anthony in London. I didn't want a full length traditional dress for various reasons and was dreading the dress shopping experience. I went with my friend and they were amazing. Probably at the higher end of my budget but well worth it. They cater for all shapes and sizes and the dresses are beautiful. Also I think tea length looks lovely one taller brides.

i hope you find what you're looking for x

Hi FutureMrsP

Just bumping this thread as I am in the exact same situation (except I am 6'1" Tall and currently a size 20-22). I have lost 4st in weight so far and am looking to lose another 5st by my wedding next July.

However I will still be a size 14-16 probably and have no desire to be a size 10.

How did you find dress shopping? What were your experiences? I do know of several plus size dress shops but they all seem to offer the exact same dresses- strapless, corset back etc and I am looking for something pretty, heavily beaded, art deco.

And anyone else out there bigger than a 16 been able to find something nice?

Hi Pandabride

I would say what everyone did to me....dont worry! I actually ended up buying the first dress i tried on, and it was slightly too small for me.

I bought it at a bridal outlet place, so it was off the peg rather than ordered. Its very different to what u have said ur looking for, and was indeed corset back and strapless. But i found a wonderful seamstress who has added straps and altered the back so it fits really well. Can't believe i get to wear it in just over 2 weeks!

So my advice to you would be too know the shops you are going to will have something you can try on, and that u won't necessarily need a plus size as even tho the samples might be small, the dresses can be ordered in bigger sizes. And if a shop isn't helpful, then leave! Also try on lots of different styles. I know you have something in mind, but you might be suprised...i know i was!

Good luck and remember.....when it comes to dress shopping, its ALL about you, and anyone that makes you feel any different than that shouldn't be involved in the process!

I am a size 24/26. I booked plus size specialists and most dresses were my size! If you want to feel like a size 6 do book one of them!

My actual dress came from a normal shop that did a small selection of plus sizes though - and they have been just lovely all the way through. I am very lucky.

I'd recommend phoning the shops, ask how many dresses do they have in an 18/20. You need a minimum of 6 to bother going - anything over a dozen, book in!

Also listen to their tone on the phone, I had one woman say that I'd have to try normal dresses on a hanger in front of me..... others telling me not to worry..... others telling me they are plus size themselves!

If you do your homework, they will be welcoming. I still find it funny that the owner of my shop (who must be near a size 0 she is SO tiny and petite!) came up and threw her arms around me saying I am so glad you have found your dress - it really did look right. Size shouldn't matter and won't matter if you visit the right shops xx

I was really not looking forward to dress shopping at all. Im a size 26. I choose my dress shop as they stated on there website that they did all sizes. I then called to check and the lady was friendly and said they won't have all in my size but there's ways around it.

I got to try on all dresses I wanted. Some were small and were hard to get in to but the lady encouraged me and even though they didn't do up you could still see how they looked. Some were way to big and she used clips. Not once did I feel uncomfortable. Be warned i couldnt step into some of the smaller dresses as my bum got in the way but the lady was just like that's fine head first is better. Lol. you will be half naked, in a small space with a lady squeezing you into a dress but that's not just us bigger women that all brides. You just have to remember she doesn't care and she dose this all day.

In the end I tried on 7 dresses and bought one. Just try to have fun and don't worry.

Ok, firstly yeah your 5 foot 10 and the dresses won't swamp you like they do my 5 foot 4. I was also nervous, not because I'm curvier than you but because I'm 58 and would be standing there in my knickers showing off my breast cancer scars.

The shop I spoke to put me completely at ease and I tried about 6 dresses on and knew at number two I had my dress. I'm a size 14/16 and yes some were too small but she shoe horned me in so I could get an idea how they looked.

I didn't once feel uncomfortable or anything other than a beautiful bride to be .

Don't worry. Just go with it and enjoy. If they make you feel uncomfortable then leave. You're in the wrong shop. X

I bought my dress in Asia and trust me, they are all size 4 and under. Then there is me. size 14! I had to try dresses on by having them put over my head and pulled down. They couldnt lace me in either but they held it in place to show me what it would look like when they made it to my size. Bearing in mind, I did this whilst other size 4 and under ladies were there.

I admit, my confidence took a knock, but after 5 days I got to try on my made to measure dress and felt amazing! The dress suited me as I have boobs and a bum! The sales lady said I'm the only one who purchased that style dress so far as other ladies couldn't fill it in the right places!

So don't worry about it and try to enjoy the dress hunting process. Once you find the right one, you won't care about anything else!

I agree with what others have said. You don't need to worry about this... But I would highly recommend doing you homework first.
I'm a size 22 and 5.6, I was really worried about dress shopping as a friend of mine who is a similar size had a terrible time about 8 years ago, ended up having to order the only dress she could from China which never really fit properly and she hated it. But times have changed! There are a number of places who specialise in curvier brides exclusively. I went to a couple, in Essex, Curves and Couture; in Kent/London, Heavenly Bodies. They were both great and I was made to feel like a princess. I also emailed around local dress shops in my town and of 6 shops there was only one that I was confident was worth a visit. The standard response seemed to be "we have a number of lines which go up to larger sizes" but be warned this doesn't mean they will have them in sizes to try.
I really enjoyed my shopping experience but do your homework first and only go to places you feel confident.
One final point on ordering sizes. One thing I was really worried about and discussed at length with the shop assistant (who totally got where I was coming from) was what size to order and what if I lose or put on weight in the 9 months the dress is in order - my weight does tend to fluctuate quite a lot and doesn't really respond to dieting in the way which would be expected. Like most people my bust, waist and hips fell in three different size ranges. The shop assistant I dealt with was really knowledgable about how the dresses could be altered and together we decided to order a) for the size I currently was rather than the size I wanted to be, it can be adjusted, and b) that I would get the size that was most likely to fit my hips, easier to let out or pull in a corset waist (in fact we tried on the dress with the corset pulled extra tight on me so I could feel what it would be like) and easier to adjust on the bust. I also ordered some extra lace and will have elbow length sleeves put on the dress (at the moment, it has wide straps) to cover my arms - which are the bit I most wanted to hide.
Good luck with your dresses, come back and tell us your experiences, great to have a thread like this as dress shopping was certainly the thing I was nervous about.

Please don't worry, but do you research beforehand. I always dreamed of going to one local bridal shop but when i contacted them all I was told, 'oh we don't stock anything over a size 14, please feel free to come and have a look. as a self conscious size 18/20 there was no way on earth I was doing this.

speak to friends and do some ringing round. I went to an amazing shop and they made me feel fantastic, I choose a dress I didn't think I would even look at,

it really is a great day, wear comfy underwear have a nice light lunch and a glass of fizz to settle your nerves and make a day of it

I have my first fitting next week so that terrifying me, i haven't tried my dress on since April

I was super nervous too, at a curvy size 16 I was wondering if I'd have to go for plus size or not but when I got to the bridal places they were fab. I think until you go to your first shop and try some on, you won't believe that it can be enjoyable. I don't enjoy shopping for girly dresses normally and am always in jeans and a t-shirt and was dreading the whole thing. But after just one appointment, I got all excited and started to enjoy dress shopping. Just state what size you are when you make the appointment and if they act like it's fine, it probably will be! I also learnt to not ask what size the dresses are that they were putting on me. They'd put me in a size 12 and it wouldn't do up properly at the back, but it's just to see if the style suits you. Don't worry, book an appointment at a bridal shop that does a range of sizes and just go for it

Hi

Just wanted to write a little note as i know exactly how you feel. I have put off getting a dress for months because i was so worried about trying on dresses. I am a similar size to you with the added issue of a super large bust! I chose to visit a shop that specialized in plus size gowns. I could of cried i was so intimidated after reading about other peoples experiences BUT the shop I went to was fabulous. I never expected for people to be so kind to me or to have such a great selections of beautiful dresses to try on. I seriously considered going dress shopping on my own because I was so embarrassed but i'm glad I didn't. I got an experience better then I thought I ever would and i'm confident i will feel beautiful in my dress on my day and you will too. If you want to know anymore PM me. I have done hours of research and i'm sure i can help reassure you wedding dress shopping is going to be fun! xxx

Just to give my own 2 pence!

6ft tall and was a size 18/20 when I went shopping. I was so scared I wouldnt find anything to even try on but I was so wrong.

The first shop I went to managed to fit me into even size 12's. No they didn't do up at the back but they pinned me in and I got a great idea of how I looked.

and there was no judgement at all. I tried on about 4 different styles and by the time I left I knew what I was looking for.

In the next shop it was the same again.. and when i tried the the dress I actually bought, it was a size 12. again it didn't do up at the back but i could see right away it was the one. The shop even went a step further and ordered me in a dress in my size which was the same style so I could see the exact fit.

If you have a good shop they will go all out for you.

Good luck to anyone who feels worried.

I know this is a slightly old thread, but, like what's been said we all come in different sizes and dress shopping is what I dreaded the most. I went with a totally open mind mainly due to this website, and I tried on dresses I would have discounted otherwise. Turns out I suit very plain or proper princess (I tried on Tianas dressy from Princess and the frog) but neither were what I wanted. Going back to a second shop weds for more detailed help. Remember the shop assistants do this every day, they know what suits and what doesn't and never be afraid to ask their opinion. I went with an idea, it was confirmed in the shop but, I loved the Disney dress which I never expected.

Just have fun! If you don't find the dress, there are other shops, just gauge an idea what suits you and what you like. Do try on lots of different colours and styles even to eliminate them.

Good luck on the dress hunt and hope you find the perfect dress.