Body Image as a Bride

You're not alone! I struggle from Body Dysmorphia, the only thing I have found helpful is having a friend who truly understands what I'm saying about myself when I look at my body.

My best friend is fully aware of my Body Dysmorphia, and has found ways to talk me down in an open and honest way instead of just "you look fine" or "you're crazy that's not how you look"

I recently went shopping for my wedding dress, I brought my mom, cousin (MOH) and this best friend (who's also a bridesmaid) and I had a very open and honest talk with her prior about all of my concerns so she was prepared with how I would respond to seeing my body in dresses.

Do you have a friend who fully understands your body image issues, and is able to speak with you in a direct, open way that's constructive and not just "stop you're fine," that's the only thing I've found that helps.

I'm going through the same thing. My wedding is eight weeks from tomorrow, having been postponed from last spring because of COVID. Right before the postponement, I had taken my dress in for alterations. I was so excited because it was loose, so they had to take it in, and then I lost a little more weight! During quarantine, though, I gained 10 lbs that my body refuses to lose, no matter what I do. I have had nightmares about putting my dress on, only to find that it doesn't fit, so now I'm terrified to put it on. I'm also afraid about pictures. Sometimes I can take a decent picture, but others I feel as though I look like a troll. I don't want to feel less than human on my wedding day, and I also don't want all the guests whispering how big I look. I can only hope our photographer can work some kind of magic.

Maybe seek some counseling before for the big day? We can get stuck in our heads and judge what we don't like about ourselves all day long, but struggle to make the changes needed to feel better about ourselves. A counselor might be able to help you put in perception what you are feeling and offer coping skills that can make you feel more positive about your body and yourself in general. We are surrounded in a world full of judgmental people and our biggest problem is we hold way to much value in other peoples opinions of ourselves. Complete strangers should hold zero weight in your value of how you feel about yourself. Family, and friends should be very supportive of you on your wedding day and if they have anything negative to say about how you look, simply remember it is a reflection of their self they are simply projecting on to you. It is not you they feel disgusted by, but themselves. Human behavior is odd and how we act towards others is very misdirected at times.