Overweight Brides *dress shopping*

Here in phx they have a bridal shop specifically for big girls they have sizes 14 to like 28 its called strut maybe u have one where u live Google it

Find stores in your area that either carry larger sample sizes over a 16, here in MD we have a few. And call your local bridal boutiques to see what they carry. I say go with a open mind, but if you do come across some horrible sales person, just leave and make sure you get the word out that this business discriminates against the plus size community! Every one cannot be a size 2. I was dead set on just DB, but was steered to a local boutique and found my dress. You know what is flattering for you. I knew before hand what I wanted, sweet heart bust line, straight A-line, and no organza, etc. So do some research and enjoy, cannot wait to hear what you said yes to!

I echo La-Kia. As long as you call ahead and make sure they have samples in your size, you shouldn't have a mortifiying experience. I'm also full figured, and I had good experiences and bad ones. I ended up getting my gown at DB, only because The One was there. I tried on Enzoani, Maggie Sottero, Mon Cheri, Essence of Australia and a few other designers.

Good luck!

I agree with the other ladies. Call ahead. Have an idea of what you want but also be open minded. Take someone who will be 100% honest with you on how the dress looks on you not whether they like the style. Good luck!

Thanks ladies. I will have to check out some of those places. I have a pretty good idea of what I want. I want a tea length fiftyish style dress. I will be going this summer shopping and will keep you posted on what I find

You will DEFINITELY find those at DB. And they go up to size 30, I believe. Here are some links:

http://www.davidsbridal.com/Product_Cap-Sleeve-Wedding-Dress-with-Illusion-Neckline-CMK513_Bridal-Gowns-Shop-By-Silhouette-Short

http://www.davidsbridal.com/Product_Tulle-Embellished-Tea-Length-Gown-CPK437_Bridal-Gowns-Shop-By-Silhouette-Short

http://www.davidsbridal.com/Product_Strapless-Lace-Tea-Length-Cap-Sleeve-Gown-9T9948_Bridal-Gowns-Shop-By-Silhouette-Short

The third one I love love LURVE... but FH wants me in a traditional gown. If I had my way (city hall wedding), I would have gone with that one.

Andrea- I bought my dress at Strut!! Such a wonderful place!!

Sammi- I did not look forward to dress shopping but when I found the perfect dress it was a huge motivator to lose weight!

I am a full figured gal. I never thought about dresses not fitting, I just went in and got what I needed. I hate when I grab something off the rack that I think will fit and it doesn't because then I get upset. Luckily for me, my consultant found me dresses that fit perfectly in my bust and stomach area. The only thing I needed to add to my dress was a bustle and have it hemmed.

Try smaller boutiques, I find they give better service.

Good luck to you and don't worry, the perfect dress is out there for you.

I think when you are a bigger size (over say a 20) you start to be fearful of dresses not fitting. I have this fear too... I am in a battle to lose weight (not for the wedding but myself but I have health issues). Anyways, I like the idea of calling a head and do know DB does have bigger dresses I have been terrified of smaller places because most I found didn't go above a 20 (many were 18 and under). I will say I have googled images and it does make me feel better to see bigger brides still look beautiful in their dresses. It's amazing how a bridal dress can do that. I also like to look at the pictures of other brides in the dress on the review section of DB it's nice to see someone who's body is more like mine with the dress on vs the models who are about 100lbs or more smaller than me. It makes it hard to "envision" the dress I guess?

Hey i would definitely call ahead, but be prepared... I called ahead and only 3/10 stores in my area had over size 12, and even then choices were limited. I went into nyc at Kleinfields, and even then, I could only try on 10 dresses....3 of which I actually liked and was willing to try on

SO I would google search and THEN call based on those store AND check what STYLES they have in that size. Saying they have plus size, but not having it in anything remotely what you like is completely different.

I also considered going to a tailor with a base style you like and seeing what they can do.

Definitely buy undergarments to make it easier, to smooth things over, hide any embarrassment!

Good luck and try not to get discouraged!

Yes, make sure when you call you ask if they have dresses in your size (usually size up a size or two from what you wear in jeans).

Thank you all very much this is all so helpful and makes me feel more confident! And gives a a idea of what I have to look forward to. There are many dress places around here... I guess I just need to try and be positive!!

Good luck! It's frustrating being larger when the bridal shops pull smaller dresses & just expect them to fit. I have a small frame but am overweight & have huge hips/butt--I was at one store & the dress they pulled for me would not even go over my thighs/hips/butt area & the sales girl just thought I was overreacting & being too hard on myself when I told her it wasn't working. My mom was in there helping me & we had to open the door & let her come in to see they I couldn't physically get my body into the dress before she let it go & would help me find another dress. I did finally find my dress & I love it! You will find a dress that you love & feel beautiful in! Just stand your ground if you don't like something & don't settle!

We have a store in Michigan that only carries size 14 and up! It was great to try on dresses there. I also went to David's Bridal because I knew they would have a ton of dresses to try on. I did not have ANY luck at the smaller bridal stores, they wanted to hold dresses up to me, I was mortified. I did call one store ahead of time and they told me they carried bigger dresses but when I got there they had 3!! I think that barely counts as carrying plus size. Good luck! I still have a lot of fun and I hope you find yoru dress!

@Kaylee D where is this store??? I live in Michigan!!!"

I agree with calling ahead and asking how many sample sizes they carry in your size. I went to a few stores that had only 1-2 dresses that would fit me - size 18 (even though they could order them up to a size 28 or something). Davids bridal was okay, except since I wanted a bit more fitted dress, they did not work out (it seemed all the larger samples were ballgowns or had pickups.) Eventually found a store with a huge selection of plus size samples.

Oh I couldn't see where you were from!!! Its bombshell bridal in St. Clair Shores!! Its awesome and they make you so comfortable. Amy is amazing there, she's also going to be my wedding photographer.

Alfred Angelo also carries sizes larger then a 16... It may not be in the color that you want but you will get the general idea.

the dress I wanted to try on came in an 10 and I'm a 14/16 so I had to go up to a 24 it was loose but I had the genera idea...also I know another lady who is a 24w and they had dresses for her was well.

La-Kia hit it on the nose. There are smaller boutiques here in Md that carry our sizes. I am thinking about trying them first and make David's my last option.

I can relate. Honestly, I was much more happy trying on dresses than I expected. I thought I'd find 1-2 that looked good, I ended up looking good in almost ALL of them! I agree that you need to go to a shop that has lots of options for plus.. I went to David's Bridal and Alfred Angelo. I'd recommend both, I wasn't treated as "plus" and every dress I liked came in my size!