Bridal body image

Yes girlfriend! I am in the same boat as you. I am insecure about my entire upper body. I've lost 40 pounds, but I haven't reached the goal body I wanted. Social media plays a role into our insecurities. They post these beautiful models and brides that are thin or have the fat in all the right areas. But we (all women) have to realize we aren't ugly. We don't have to be a certain size to be beautiful. I get comfort looking at curvy/plus sized brides because they are gorgeous, confident, and rocking it. It makes me feel that I will that good on my wedding day too. You are not alone. As a whole, we need to throw out the societal expectations of beauty.

I would suggest getting off social media. Sometimes that is good for mental health. I get it, it is not easy seeing models and event at my skinniest I will never look like that. I just wanna look good for myself and my FH on the day. I have been dieting and working out hard for the big day and I feel much more confident then I did last year or even months ago. Just do what you can. I know it is hard to do a social media detox I would because remembers most of those are models and they are paid to look better than the rest of us so take that with a grain of salt lol.

I would try to find photos of real people wearing dresses (usually in reviews or wedding websites) rather than looking at the model pictures.

Also, photoshop is very very real. Their bodies are elongated, cellulite eliminated, skin perfected, etc.

LOL yes this is me. I'm 11 days out from my minimony and feeling super frustrated I don't look like that, despite 9 months of hard exercise and dieting. I'm 5', so I'll never have the height, and I have curves in the wrong places, so I don't have that hour glass figure. Just gotta maintain a positive body image, learn to love yourself in your own skin, and know that when we all put on our dresses, we will be goddesses

I look at every "BAM" post on this website - you should too! When I started looking for dresses, all I saw was the model type you posted. I am no where near that. The "BAM" posts are great because they are women of all different shapes, sizes, and ages. The glow on their faces during their wedding day and everyone looks amazing. It has certainly helped me reframe my thoughts of what a bride should / can look like.

Also, when I went to try on dresses, I made sure to make appointments at shops that carried dresses in my size. That really helped!

No, because I tey to limit my social media. Also, i exercise and eat healthy and compare my body to MY BODY in the past, rather than compare it to others.

*No, because I try to limit my social media. Also, i exercise and eat healthy and compare my body to MY BODY in the past, rather than compare it to others.

At some point we come to the realiZation that happiness with ourselves is based on how we FEEL in it. Being healthy means feeling healthy also ya know?

I try not to look at these kinds of photos and instead look at my friends’ photos and my photographer’s photos. And of course the photos on here. There are so few people in this world who actually look like models on their wedding day, but that doesn’t mean they look any less beautiful! Congrats on that weight loss by the way. That’s something to be proud of!

Hannah my dear, just because it's on the internet doesn't mean it's real. Companies spend boatloads of money to make sure that their products look their very best. I have to commend you on taking care of yourself and exercising to get ready for your big day.

I've had the opposite issue - where most women are trying to shed extra weight, I have to fight to keep them. So I'm actually grateful for the pounds I've gained from staying at home lol

But in all seriousness, I'm sure your SO loves you just the way you are. And remember a woman is never more beautiful than on the day she says I do. I'm sure you'll be more than stunning!

I’ve honestly never seen an “ugly” bride. How could a girl who is beaming with happiness be ugly? These women are models. Real brides havent slept in days, are stressed, and a million things probably went wrong lol if you look closely no one looks perfect on their wedding day. And the things you notice, everyone else probably won’t!

We all, as women, have to stop comparing ourselves to other women, especially models. Those photos are about as real as $2 bill. We are all beautiful in our own unique way. Look in the mirror and name 3 things you like about yourself without thinking about what other people look like. Obviously your SO loves as is and thinks you're beautiful. You will be breathtakingly stunning on your wedding day.

Well, there are 2 things. I know this because I am a photographer and have tons of wedding photographer friends.


1. They only upload photos from great looking couples. It’s a business strategy. Lousy but it works best for them 🤷🏻‍♀️
2. Strict diet. Exercise. Shapewear. Posing. But mostly ———-> Photoshop!!!!! Most brides asked for specific editing, such as wrinkles, blemishes, body shape, height, stray hair, straightening and slimming fingers, you name it .... It’s possible and normal nowadays. It all depends on the photographer knowledge and sadly, the fee.
Think positive and be realistic. I can tell 90% what has been edited on most wedding related photos. We are not models, but I get it, I feel like crap looking at myself sometimes, but look, you have a future husband wanting to marry you, so obviously he wants YOU! There must be something in you that makes him wants to have you as his lifetime partner. Look alone isn’t everything. And I saw your picture on WW. You look great!!!! Nothing I would complain about 🥂

View Quoted Comment I’m sorry did you say finger straightening? Soooooooo I can ask my photographer to make my fingers not have this dumb gap between?!?! Excellent!!

I mean seriously what’s up with that?
I jest, but OP please know that everyone, yes even those models you admire so, have things about themselves they don’t like. I am a plus size woman but I am healthy and I know my FH loves me for who I am. Trying to compare yourself to other women, especially women that aren’t real is never going to do anything for you. Those women are photoshopped to look like that, it isn’t real life. Be happy. Be healthy. Live your life. And most importantly... BE REAL.

View Quoted Comment Yup, some literally look at the edited close up pictures and asked if we could slim and straighten their fingers and make their knuckles small. Just like those Instagram models. Sorry, but this is the world we live in nowadays. A couple asked if I can edit their knees too, I can’t say no 🤷🏻‍♀️

I feel the same way! I've decided to try to lose 10% of my body weight before my wedding in January and I feel bad that when I watched a friend's wedding livestream, my first thought was "Oh dang I need to work on my arms and back before my own wedding" instead of "She looks great!!"

I would agree with others say about photoshop! It can be easy to manipulate and edit pictures when you have the tools and apps to do it.

I'm also off social media and I think that has been helpful. At the end of the day, I would say to focus on what you can do to meet your goals and to cherish the small steps you take to get closer to them It can be hard for you to see the change overnight, but your body is definitely changing each time you make a healthier choice and is loving you for it!

Try to think positively, everyone is different and that’s what make us unique and special. I am skinny, but super short. I get upset sometimes that I need to take off like 9” of my wedding dress so that it would fit. I think most importantly is how you feel. Don’t focus on looking like the models, but focus on how you will look amazing and your fiancé will love you regardless.

My mom wanted me to lose weight and I told her that my fiancé loves my little curves and me just the way I am❤️🥰 we shouldn’t have to feel obligated to change our bodies to conform to Pinterest (unrealistic) brides. There’s amazing shareware out there that can hug you on all the right places 😊

Just remember, the internet lies lol. These photos have probably been photoshopped. Not to mention they’re girls are likely paid models. I am sure you will look just as gorgeous as any of these girls.