Deborah Chan
Finding a wedding dress is an exciting but challenging experience for many brides-to-be, and this task can feel even more daunting for those who are expecting a baby. The good news is that finding a maternity wedding dress or adapting a bridal gown to suit your body doesn't have to be complicated. You can find maternity-specific options or dresses that can be customized for pregnancy, and you can also opt for a non-maternity empire line dress if you have a smaller bump. Many bridal salons and designers offer maternity wedding dresses or alterations to accommodate a changing body shape, and online retailers also offer a wide range of options.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Style | Form-fitting, A-line, or empire style |
| Silhouette | Softness, movement, and versatility of sizing |
| Customization | Corset-style dresses can be altered to raise the waistline |
| Designers | Charles Dieujuste, Madeline Gardner, Stephanie White, David Zyla |
| Brands | WED2B, Tiffany Rose Maternity, Pink Blush Maternity, Dessy, TwoBirds, Birdy Grey, Club L London, Show Me Your Mumu, Taller Marmo, ASOS |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
- Look for maternity-specific options or dresses that can be customised for pregnancy
- Choose an A-line or empire-style dress to flatter your silhouette
- Find a dress that allows movement, softness and comfort
- Consider buying online as many bridal shops don't carry maternity
- Request customisation to make your chosen dress maternity-friendly
Look for maternity-specific options or dresses that can be customised for pregnancy
Finding a maternity wedding dress that makes you feel beautiful, comfortable, and confident doesn't have to be complicated. While you can opt for maternity-specific options, you can also choose dresses that can be customised for pregnancy.
Maternity-specific wedding dresses are available at various salons and from different designers. You can also opt for customisable dresses that can be altered to accommodate your changing body shape. If you want to accentuate your baby bump, look for form-fitting gowns made from stretchy, flowing, or elastic materials with give. These materials will beautifully emphasise your bump while ensuring comfort and movement. You can also achieve this with accessories like long or short sashes. Additionally, consider an empire waistline, which will highlight the smallest part of your torso, or an A-line silhouette for your growing belly.
On the other hand, if you want to minimise your baby bump, a strapless dress with an empire waist and a lace or tulle overlay can be a smart choice. You can also look for bump-friendly dresses that showcase everything beautiful about pregnancy without necessarily emphasising the bump. These dresses often feature empire waistlines, wrap designs, and soft, stretchy fabrics that provide ample room for your growing bump while accentuating your curves.
When choosing a maternity wedding dress, it's important to consider the timing of your fittings and try-ons. Most wedding dresses take at least four to six months to be delivered, and you'll need to factor in more fittings due to your changing body. While you can pay rush fees, it's recommended to size up as it's easier to take a dress in than to let it out. For a better idea of how the dress will look on your big day, try it on about four to six weeks before the wedding.
St. Patrick Wedding Dresses: Price and Style Guide
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Choose an A-line or empire-style dress to flatter your silhouette
Choosing an A-line or empire-style dress is a great way to flatter your silhouette when you're expecting. These styles are similar, but with a subtle difference: an A-line dress has the waistline at hip level, while an empire waistline sits just under the bust. This highlights the smallest part of your torso, drawing attention to your slimmed-down upper body.
A-line dresses are extremely feminine and flattering, accentuating the waist and hips. They can be designed with a narrow skirt or a wider, full skirt for a more dramatic look. A-line dresses are also a good choice for comfort, with a comfortable, loose fit that will allow for a growing bump.
Empire waistlines are a great way to enhance your silhouette, drawing attention to your bust and the smallest part of your torso, while also providing ample room for your bump. This style is a good option for those who want to minimise their bump, as it skims over the tummy area. A long, empire-line, bohemian-style dress is a great option for a maternity wedding dress, as it will flow gracefully over your bump.
Both A-line and empire-style dresses are versatile and can be dressed up or down. They are a good choice for a maternity wedding dress, as they can be both comfortable and flattering, and will enhance your silhouette, drawing attention to the smallest part of your torso.
Renting Wedding Dresses: A Smart Choice
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$46.99
Find a dress that allows movement, softness and comfort
When it comes to finding a maternity wedding dress, comfort is key. You'll want to look for a dress that allows movement, softness, and comfort, with a silhouette that can offer the versatility of sizing.
Fabric
Fabric plays an important role in the comfort and feel of your dress. Opt for soft and breathable fabrics that offer room for your bump to grow without constriction. Soft, ethereal tulle or chiffon are good choices, as are stretch fabrics like crepe or jersey, which contour the body and allow for a comfortable fit. Jersey, in particular, is recommended by Charles Dieujuste, the designer behind the wedding dress brand Scorcesa. He also suggests chiffon or stretch lace, advising that you avoid heavy or restrictive fabrics that may not provide enough flexibility as your body changes.
Silhouette
An empire waist or A-line silhouette is a good choice for a growing bump as it will highlight the smallest part of your torso. An empire waist is cinched under the bust and has a free-flowing skirt, allowing plenty of room for your bump. A wrap dress is another good option, as it offers a comfortable and adjustable fit. If you're hoping to accentuate your bump, you might opt for a form-fitting gown made from fabric with give to ensure comfort.
Other Considerations
Maternity wedding dresses don't have to be matronly. You can find elegant and flattering options that showcase the beautiful aspects of pregnancy. You may also want to consider a dress without boning or corsets to ensure comfort throughout the day. Keep in mind that most wedding dresses take at least four to six months to be delivered, so sizing up is a good option to accommodate your growing bump.
Chiffon Dreams: Bow V-Back Wedding Dresses
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$81.99
Consider buying online as many bridal shops don't carry maternity
While it is possible to find a maternity wedding dress in a salon or boutique, many bridal shops do not carry maternity options. This means that buying online can be the best way to find a suitable dress.
Online, you can find maternity wedding dresses from brands such as Tiffany Rose Maternity, Pink Blush Maternity, and Birdy Grey, all of which are based in the USA and ship worldwide. For those in the UK, Club L London has a collection of white maternity dresses without the bridal price tag. Worldwide, you can also shop from Show Me Your Mumu and Taller Marmo, the latter of which offers elegant kaftans with a flowing yet flattering fit.
If you have a smaller bump, you may be able to get away with a non-maternity empire line wedding dress. ASOS, for example, offers a maternity range that often includes long bridal-worthy gowns, and you can also find non-maternity dresses that will flatter your growing bump from brands like TwoBirds and WED2B.
If you are unable to find a suitable maternity wedding dress, you can also go bespoke and have a designer or dressmaker create a unique dress for you.
What to Wear to a Wedding Rehearsal: Dressing Up or Down?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$33.99
Request customisation to make your chosen dress maternity-friendly
Requesting customisations to make your chosen dress maternity-friendly is a great way to ensure you feel comfortable and confident on your wedding day. While many bridal shops do not carry maternity dresses, several companies offer customisation services to adapt a dress to your needs.
J&L Designs Boutique, for instance, specialises in handmade maternity dresses and gowns that fit your budget. They offer custom maternity dress design services, allowing you to design a dress based on your unique style preferences, fabric choices, and budget restrictions. They will keep you involved throughout the dressmaking process and aim to work with you until you are happy with the final product.
Olivia Bottega also offers a wide range of unique wedding dresses that can be customised to be maternity-friendly. They can raise the waistline of any dress to ensure comfort and provide more space for you and your baby. They will tailor the dress to your personal measurements, taking into account your trimester and the size of your baby bump.
When requesting customisations, consider the following:
- Fabric and Style: Choose soft, stretchy, and breathable fabrics that will be comfortable and allow room for your growing bump. Styles with empire waistlines, A-line silhouettes, or wrap dresses can provide a flattering fit while accommodating your changing body shape.
- Timing: Keep in mind that custom dresses may take several weeks or months to create, so start the process early to ensure your dress arrives on time.
- Communication: Be clear about your expectations and preferences, and don't be afraid to ask questions. A good designer will work closely with you to ensure the final product meets your needs and tastes.
The Business of Used Wedding Dresses: Is It Worthwhile?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Many bridal salons and designers offer maternity wedding dresses or can make alterations to accommodate your changing body shape. You can also try online retailers such as ASOS, Club L London, Tiffany Rose Maternity, Pink Blush Maternity, and Birdy Grey.
Choose a dress that allows movement and softness, and a silhouette that can accommodate your growing bump. An A-line or empire waist style can fit and flatter your changing body. If you want to accentuate your bump, look for form-fitting gowns made from stretchy material. If you prefer to minimize your bump, a strapless dress with an empire waist and a lace or tulle overlay is a good choice.
Wedding dresses can be expensive, and since you'll likely only wear it once, you may want to consider a non-bridal dress, which is often cheaper. You can also look for a dress in a non-traditional bridal colour, which may be more affordable.
Most wedding dresses take at least four to six months to be delivered. You can pay rush fees to get it sooner, but it's best to size up and plan for alterations to ensure you have enough room for your growing bump.
Yes, you can customize any dress to be maternity-friendly. Look for a dress with a higher waistline to accommodate your bump and allow you to move and dance comfortably. You can also work with a designer or dressmaker to create a unique dress that fits your vision and your body.
