Wedding Dress Questions (plus sized brides)

[dmslush]

I am just starting to look at dresses, and of course, everyday I find a new one that I love LOL. I have only tried one on, and that was in a friend's consignment shop. However, this is the very first time that I have done this, so some of my questions are probably stupid, but here we go..

I am very plus sized and self conscious about my rolly polly body. Do the women at the bridal shops go in with you and 'help' you put on the dresses? Or can someone like my mom or daughter help me? At the one bridal shop that I went to today, I was alone. The woman was very, very nice. She was straight up when I asked what would look good on my body and what wouldn't, but she did it in a nice way.

But, I just couldn't bring myself to try one on because I saw them going in to 'help' other girls and I just didn't want to be all exposed. I know it is stupid, and I need to get over it. When I came home, DF asked me if I tried any on, and when I told him no, he asked why. I just told him that my monthly was here and I wasn't comfortable trying them on.

Also, how far out did you seriously start looking and trying on dresses? How far out did you purchase your dress. She told me that they could usually get dresses in within two or three days, and the seamstress is there on Thursdays. Which brings me to another issue.. heck, I don't want these people wrapping a tape measure around any part of me LOL!!

I know, I am being childish. I keep telling myself, "You are 34 years old, grow up! You are not the only fat woman to ever get married!" UGH!!!

 

[Tink11302]

F

 

[princessdisneybelle]

Aw don't feel bad. I was really plus size. I've lost some weight. I started to cry when she measured and said what size I wore. But remember wedding dresses are totally different. The shop I got mine at had me put on a slip and corsit thing, so I wasn't exposed. All she did was help me zip the dresses up. When I went and bought mine, about 9months out. My Mom and Best Friend came with me. I"m sure you will find the perfect dress.

 

[Moonpie]

I didn't like having those people go in he dressing room with me either. I tried asking them if I could be alone, or just with my Mom, but they said "No". It's a security thing. Depending on the store they won't want you alone with the dresses, and they won't want you trying to put it on yourself. I just had to swallow my pride and strip.

 

[Stucas]

I didn't like having those people go in he dressing room with me either. I tried asking them if I could be alone, or just with my Mom, but they said "No". It's a security thing. Depending on the store they won't want you alone with the dresses, and they won't want you trying to put it on yourself. I just had to swallow my pride and strip.

I had a similar experience, not for a wedding though, for my prom a few years ago. Around here there is pretty much only one dress shop you go to for prom dresses and its a tiny little store. Well the lady who owns it can be quite scary since shes very loud and in your face, not me at all. Well I had heard "horror" stories about this woman helping you try on your dress and I freaked out at the thought. (I'm plus sized too) Of corse the day we went there were other girls from my school, and of corse they were skinny. I just about had a panic attack in the store. After all my worrying it really wasn't bad at all. I flat out told the crazy woman I was uncomfortable and she was VERY nice about it let me wait to be the last dressing room on the end (since the place was small theres no real doors, only curtians which blew every direction every time a person would pass). The only thing she helped me with was zipping up, and she politly asked me each time if I was ready for her. Once I had my dream dress on I didn't have anymore worries. Even when she made me come out to the middle of the store to look in the mirror wearing the sample dress about 5 sizes too big, lol. Thinking back on it it was really me getting worked up over nothing. We're all ladies there. Its like the locker room in high school, only we're all adults and WILL NOT make fun of you.

Just be upfront with the people when you get there. If they can't accomodate you and you are still uncomfortable then try to find a place that will or try going back on a different day when maybe there will be another sales woman with a bigger heart. Good Luck

 

[calanniebu]

As you can see from my pic, I'm not exactly small either. I think what helped me through the process is knowing that my DH loves me for me I did a lot of homework and called around to find shops that carried plus-sized samples. I didn't want to try to squeeze myself into a size 10 dress just to try to see how it looked. I also did a lot of research online to find things I liked. Alfred Angelo (that's who my dress is from) fits and feels wonderful and the prices are very reasonable.

I know my dress had to be custom-made because I needed and these were my words "extra length and extra width" and it was in the color I chose. The manufacture quotes 4-6 months so I ordered it at very beginning on March for an October wedding and it came in at either the end of June or beginning of July.

 

[pintradingwedding]

...when it came in they let me try it on in private. maybe because i had already bought it?

luckily it fit and i loved it! it covered all the right spots

 

[luna99]

I also did a lot of research online to find things I liked. Alfred Angelo (that's who my dress is from) fits and feels wonderful and the prices are very reasonable.

thank you for posting that! I saw a dress on that site that is soooo beautiful .. it could be my dream dress! (and it's plus sized!)

 

[dmslush]

Thanks for all of the replies and suggestions. I am going to a bridal show today, hopefully I will get some ideas and stuff!!

 

[autumnbride2B]

I tried on dresses at quite a few different stores, and they varied on whether I was left alone or had a salesperson in the room with me. I was uncomfortable with anyone in the room with me, so after the first time I brought a slip. It wasn't much, but at least I wasn't standing around in my underwear. It made me feel much more comfortable.

 

[calanniebu]

I would definately even recommend Alfred Angleo over David's Bridal. I tried a ver similar dress to mine at Davids and the material of mine just felt so much richer than Davids and mine was actually priced less and had all of the beautiful embroidery. If you lived in New England, there's a great store in Nashua NH that carried a lot of different designers and had plus sized try ons!

 

[dmslush]

I tried on dresses at quite a few different stores, and they varied on whether I was left alone or had a salesperson in the room with me. I was uncomfortable with anyone in the room with me, so after the first time I brought a slip. It wasn't much, but at least I wasn't standing around in my underwear. It made me feel much more comfortable.

That is something that I have considered. I thought about getting a long line bra also, something to kind of cinch me in while at the same time, covering me up a little so I don't feel so exposed.

 

[NEVERENOUGHWDW]

All bridal shops no matter what size you are help you try on gowns. Also choosing your gown 6 months ahead is the usual rule. Remember EVERYONE hates having the bridal shop "helper"!!!!
Good Luck!

 

[smoof]

Not every bridal shop forces you to be 'helped'. Just say you are uncomfortable with someone helping you. You are not the only one. I don't care what size you are, there are tiny girls who aren't comfortable as well.

 

[smoof]

Also, I am not sure where you live in TN, but I know there are a couple of big warehouse stores in NC with lots of different sample sizes. Check the bridal magazines.

 

[dmslush]

Also, I am not sure where you live in TN, but I know there are a couple of big warehouse stores in NC with lots of different sample sizes. Check the bridal magazines.

I'll do that! DF is from NC, so we could go over for a weekend or something. I have been looking around a lot. I think I need to just decide on a couple of styles that I like, so I don't feel so overwhelmed when I go to the shops. My nerves are just shot at this point, I'm starting a new job tomorrow and I am just a ball of nerves!!!

 

[Silverraindrop84]

I just thought i would say that I went to two bridal shops yesteday to help my cousin try on her wedding gowns, and not once did the helper try to come in the dressing room. I would think as long as you have somone to help put on the dress then you are ok.