Bridal Tips for Plus Size Brides - That White Dress - Malaysia Kuala Lumpur Wedding Bridal Gown Boutique

13 Tips for Shopping for Plus Size Wedding Dresses

Shopping for wedding dresses can be stressful for any bride, but for the plus size bride it can be downright traumatic. We’ve all heard the horror stories of judgmental shop girls and embarrassingly small assortments that leave brides-to-be shaking in their bridal shoes. Thankfully, we’ve got the inside scoop to help you avoid becoming another cautionary tale. With the body positive movement has come a gigantic selection of plus size dresses from size 20 up to size 44, so you can be sure that you’ll find one that makes you look and feel like your baddest, most beautiful self. Below, we’ve laid out all you need to know about shopping for plus size wedding dresses, so sit back, relax, and above all, have fun!

1. Call ahead.

Most salons stock sample dresses for the “average” bride, which generally fall around a size 10. You’ll want to be sure that you can try on dresses in larger sizes, so call ahead of your visit to be sure they have a variety of plus size sample styles for you to try.

2. Find a specialist.

While you’re at it, request a specialist who’s well versed in plus size dressing to make the most of your visit. Look for someone who’s not only knowledgeable but is excited to work with you. Remember, you’re not just paying for the dress, but for your salesperson’s expertise, so take full advantage and ask plenty of questions. Take her advice to heart – she’s the expert, after all!

3. Ignore the numbers.

Pricier brands often use “couture” sizing (read: teeny tiny), so your bridal size will likely be significantly higher than what you would wear in your everyday duds. Your best bet is to ignore the number entirely and focus on the overall look and fit. If you find a gown that helps channel your inner Beyoncé, then who cares about the number?

4. Leave your comfort zone.

You may be married to the idea (pun intended) of an A-line silhouette, but if your bridal stylist recommends a fit and flare that she swears up and down will look gorgeous on you, then give it a go. She’s the expert, so keep an open mind and heed her advice. Worst-case scenario, you’re just not feeling it. Best-case scenario, you find the dress of your dreams!

5. Take cues from other brides.

Choose whatever frock makes you feel your most beautiful, stereotypes be damned. That said, there are a few tried and true styles that’ll help you begin your journey if you’re not sure where to start:A+ for the A-line. A fitted bodice helps mask any perceive imperfections up top while cinching the waist, while a slim A-line skirt effectively masks the hips and thighs without adding volume, thanks to the slender cut. And it’s not just for curvy girls – brides of all shapes and sizes adore this cut, as it’s flattering on literally. Dare to bare in the strapless Julietta by Mori Lee Micaela bridal gown, or choose a more modest style like the Maggie Sottero Phyllis, which boasts a slimming waist detail and straps for added support.

Ruching is your friend. Some girls opt to steer clear of ruching, operating under the assumption that they draw attention to problem areas, but those girls are sadly misinformed. In reality, ruching creates a clever optical illusion, helping to mask those areas beneath strategically placed folds. Need proof? Look no further than the Allure Women W284, an insanely flattering fit and flare silhouette that creates the perfect hourglass shape.

Thicker fabrics are most forgiving. Weighty fabrics like satin are best for the plus size bride, as they’re incredibly effective at smoothing the frame and masking those lumps and bumps (check out Allure W412 for some serious inspo). By that same token, you’ll want to be careful with styles that are heavily embellished, which can draw attention to areas that you’d rather keep under cover.

Flaunt it if you’ve got it. Instead of focusing on what you’d rather hide, think about what features you want to highlight. Love your décolletage? Choose a V-neckline cut down to there to show off your fabulous bust, like the Julietta by Mori Lee Merida. Got a killer caboose? Rock a fit and flare silhouette like the Allure Women W395, which perfectly embraces each and every sexy curve.

6. Don’t wait on the weight.

We’re all for shedding for the wedding – or really, anything that motivates you to live a healthy lifestyle and feel your best – but don’t wait till you’ve lost the pounds to find your wedding style. Production can take anywhere from six to eight months, so wait too long and you’ll risk being limited to what’s already in stock – the B-squad of wedding dresses. Gowns can always be taken in, so worry about finding your perfect style first and fix the fit later if needed.

7. Details can be added.

Say you’ve fallen in love with a sleeveless style, but you’re looking specifically for something a bit more modest. The solution is simple – add a sleeve! Take it in or let it out, shorten the hem or add a bit of built-in support…You name it, and it can likely be done post-production. Don’t be afraid to ask about specific alterations and the costs attached. They should be reasonable, so customize away!

8. Put comfort first.

Weddings are a marathon, not a sprint. Sure, you may have fallen in love with a gorgeous gown that’s two sizes two small, convincing yourself that you’ll be fine, but you won’t. Just trust us on this. You’ll be up, down and moving around all day and all night long, so you’ll need all your faculties to make it to the finish line.

9. Embrace the chain store.

Hear us out here – a chain wedding store may not be high on your list (or on it at all), but unlike specialty shops, which normally carry an “average” sample size only for try-ons, chain stores stock a full range of sizes, thanks to their “something for everyone” business model. While their stock may not include your dream gown, it’s a good place to start to get a handle on sizing, fabrics and silhouettes that fit and flatter your specific shape.

10. A good tailor is a non-negotiable.

A seamstress with proven skill (hello, social media!) and ample experience in bridal dressing can make a world of difference by adding boning, straps or bra cups for customized support and a fit that conforms perfectly to your frame.

11. Foundation is everything.

Your wedding should be spent celebrating with loved ones and dancing the night away with the man of your dreams, not tugging at your dress or constantly pulling at uncomfortable undergarments. Every style could use a little extra help, even your so-called perfect gown. So find a lingerie store with personalized service and get fitted for a supportive bra or the appropriate shapewear to help keep everything in place on your big day.

12. Shut down the shamers.

Unfortunately, there are some super-judgy salespeople out there that will openly body shame their charges, whether they’re even aware of it or not. This is why it’s so important to find a specialist that’s right for you, with tons of experience in plus size bridal dressing and, of course, zero judgment. And don’t forget that we can sometimes be our own shamers, so no talk of losing weight or negative body comments at all, as tempting as it may be. Positive vibes only!

13. When all else fails, go custom.

So you’ve looked high and low but you still haven’t found the one. Don’t be discouraged! There’s no need to settle for anything less than perfection on one of the most important days of your life when your dream dress can easily become a reality. Don’t let the dollar signs running through your head scare you off from a custom design; with a bit of research, a reasonably priced gown can be had. Shopping for plus size dresses doesn’t have to be discouraging. Keep our handy tips in mind, and it can be downright awesome!

Make an appointment with us now to try on our beautiful Plus Size Wedding Gown Collection!

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With over 50+ new Plus size collection available for rental in store, you will sure to find That White Dress here.

Sizes available for rental in store from UK size 14 - 20. Custom Make or Custom rent options are available too.

As a bridal expert in Plus Size Wedding Dress in Malaysia, our bridal consultants are more than happy to share advice on getting the perfect wedding gown for your Big Day!

We are a bridal boutique specialise in Plus Size Wedding Gown based in Petaling Jaya, Selangor, KL, easily accessible from Dataran Prima, Bandar Utama, Kelana Jaya and SS2, Petaling Jaya/Kuala Lumpur.

6 Must-Know Wedding Dress Shopping Tips for Plus-Size Brides

Wedding dress shopping for any bride can be as daunting an experience as it is exciting. But if you're a plus-size woman in a sea of sample-size-eight gowns, it can sometimes feel downright impossible. Shopping for the perfect dress however, regardless of size or shape, should never be an unpleasant experience. Also, you should never feel forced to settle for anything less than your dream gown.

Wedding style expert Julie Sabatino, founder of The Stylish Bride, has made a career out of helping women look flawless on their big day — below she shares 6 essential shopping tips for full-figured brides.

Don't discount your dream designer

If you've always dreamed of walking down the aisle wearing Vera Wang or Monique Lhullier, you should definitely go for it, says Sabatino. "Most couture wedding dress designers design up to a size 20-24 even if they don't have plus-size lines separated out in their collection. Some, such as Anna Maier-Ulla-Maija, even do custom measurements and fit the dress right to the bride." One thing to know, however, is that occasionally designers might have an additional fabric charge after a certain size, especially if you're getting a muslin made, too.

See More: How to Find the Perfect Wedding Dress for Your Body Type

Call salons in advance

While size eight is the typical sample size for wedding dresses, some salons also carry the styles in a size 14. Call ahead before you go to the store to see if they carry larger sized samples. Even if the dresses on the floor don't fit you perfectly, there are ways to gauge what the style will look like on you. "There are ways to pin sample dresses to your undergarments that give a really good sense of what the dress will look like on, even if you're not in it," explains Sabatino. "Or if you can get the dress half on, you can get a good sense what the bottom silhouette looks on your body type.

My advice is, don't discount any dresses or shapes until you've tried it."

Also, let the salon know about your personal style, plus the time and location of your wedding — this will help the consultant pull options that'll gel better with your personality in addition to your body type.

Be open to different styles

Just as you shouldn't let your shape preclude you from your dream designer, also don't let it overly dictate the style of the dress. Yes, there are some silhouettes that you will find work better for your body shape, but you might surprise yourself with the variety of looks that you can wear. "I've had so many curvier brides say they don't want a strapless dress, but then find a dress that fits them and gives them the right support, and nine times out of 10, they fall in love and end up with a strapless dress," Sabatino says.

Wear your wedding-day undergarments to the salon

If you're planning on wearing Spanx, a special bra, or a long line corset on your wedding day, go to the salon with them on, advises Sabatino. "Support garments can really change the shape of your body quite a bit, so make sure you bring them to your fittings if you're planning on wearing them on your wedding day."

Buy the size that fits the biggest part of your body

A lot of brides might think that buying a smaller wedding dress will motivate them to shed weight before the wedding, but the truth is, it just adds a lot of unnecessary stress. "A consultant at the salon will measure you and suggest the right size," she explains. "And you always have to go with the biggest size. This means, that if you're bust is measuring a size 12, but your hips are measuring a size 18 — you should buy the dress in a size 18 and alter it down to accommodate the rest of your body."

Bring a shopping buddy who has your best interest in mind

If you're going shopping with a friend, bring someone who is going to give you as unbiased an opinion as possible, advises Sabatino. "You want your shopping buddy to be someone you trust and someone who listens to and supports you, but isn't going to overly sugar coat things or try to sway you into decisions you might not feel comfortable with. Bring the person who wants you to feel confident and look great on your big day."

Make an appointment with us now to try on our beautiful plus size wedding gown collection!