We love plus-size brides here at Wedding Ideas, so we’re always promoting new designers and collections that are specifically created to make the curvier among us feel amazing!Finding your dream plus-size wedding dress should be one of the most exciting moments of any girl’s life, and thanks to forward-thinking designers and boutiques, curvy brides have more choice than ever before!
Over half the UK female population wears a dress size 16 or over, so we think it’s only fair that all brides get to find the wedding dress of their dreams, no matter their shape or size!
Gone are the days where larger sizes weren’t even manufactured, let alone stocked – these days bridal designers are wising up to the fact that not every bride is a size 8, and are creating beautiful, flattering dresses for sizes 18 and over. This is why we introduced a Best Plus-Size Dress Collection category to the Wedding Ideas Awards, which receives more and more votes every year as the top designers gain more recognition.Some of our very favourite names in the bridal industry have increased their range of sizes so that larger ladies can rock their stunning designs: Alfred Angelo, Maggie Sottero and True Bride all cater for plus-size brides, with UK sizes going up to 30, 32 and 36 respectively!
There are loads of other show-stopping plus-size collections to choose from, no matter what style of dress you’re looking for. If you’re a girly girl looking for a true princess dress, then check out the fabulous Julietta range from Mori Lee – the brand’s signature sparkling embellishment is perfect for highlighting your best assets! We also love the romantic designs and ballgown shapes in the Wtoo Curve collection for Watters, and the delicate lace dresses at Callista.
Sometimes though, simply scaling up a dress meant for a petite bride just won’t cut the mustard, so we love to big up collections made exclusively for plus-size girls! Designers like Jason Jennings, the genius behind the multi-award winning Sonsie collection from Veromia, know exactly how to cut a gown to fit and flatter your body best. Jason felt that most dresses for curvy girls were uninspiring, so in 2009 he created Sonsie – the internal corsetry and fantastic fit gives plus-size brides sleeker silhouettes and added support.
One of our tweet mates, Nick from Sincerity Bridal, has this advice for plus-size brides: “Feel confident about your size when looking for wedding dresses. Our plus-size stores know and understand what you want. Choose a shop that has a good selection of plus sizes in stock, not just the odd one or two, and ask for a private dressing room to try on different sizes. When it comes to dress styles, look at lace-up backs, as these can often give you a better shape. And finally, don’t buy off the internet – it’s a recipe for disaster!”
Are you a fashionista bride who doesn’t want to sacrifice her style? Take a look at the stunning gowns in the Woman collection for Allure Bridal – their fashion-forward designs are cut beautifully to highlight an hourglass figure and make you feel fantastic! We also love the collections at Sincerity Plus and Benjamin Roberts’ Gorgeous With Curves.
Top tips for plus-size wedding dress shopping
Think about clever accessories. A well-positioned sash and brooch will draw the eye to the smallest part of your body, and will help to balance out your top and bottom halves.
Choose your fabric wisely. Chiffons will skim over lumps and bumps, while heavier satins and taffetas can be ruched for a flattering effect.
Speak up! Don’t be afraid to end the appointment if you feel that you’re not being treated well – you deserve to feel fantastic during your wedding dress shopping!
Use what you’ve got! The brilliant structuring of dedicated plus-size gowns means you can really work that hourglass shape – don’t be scared of curve-hugging silhouettes like the mermaid!
