Wedding Dresses for Brides With Baby Bumps

When a bride turns up pregnant, the first instinct is to run to the empire waist gown. This can be a wonderful option, as the higher waistline sits right under the bust, above the expanding belly. On the other hand, if the bride is very far along or the fabric under the empire waist is very gathered and loose, the whole effect can look like a giant tent – not exactly the most flattering effect! The trick to making an empire waist wedding dress flattering on a pregnant bride is to keep fairly slim through the ribcage and along the sides.

Drop waist wedding gowns can be a surprisingly viable option for many pregnant brides. This is especially true for brides who are on the taller side. It’s all about proportion. The waistline should sit towards the bottom of the baby bump, but not all the way under it. When the waist is too high, the skirt will not drape properly, and when it is too low, it will cup under the bump in an exaggerated fashion. The wonderful thing about a drop waist wedding gown is that it will clearly show that the bride is pregnant, not just overweight.

A softly draped column dress can be another possibility for a pregnant bride, especially one who is not so far along in her pregnancy. This is a good choice for the bride who is comfortable with her body in general, and one who is still fairly slim through the tush and thighs. Choose a fabric with a nice weight to it, like a heavy silk crepe or a beaded Chantilly lace. The weight of the material will help it to hang well and drape attractively over the baby bump. Always order this type of dress considerably larger than you think you will need it, because it will be easy to take in, but very limited in its ability to be let out.

A final tip for dressing a pregnant bride is to draw attention up to the face and neckline. Most pregnant women are blessed with a lovely radiant glow and great cleavage, so why not highlight those assets? Pair a relatively simple wedding gown with fabulous bridal jewelry that will bring the attention up to your smiling face. You will be sure to look absolutely beautiful on your wedding day, baby bump and all!

The Most Slimming Wedding Gowns

Without question, the most important thing any bride will buy for her wedding is her bridal gown. It is also a certainty that the most important factor in choosing the perfect gown is how figure flattering it is. After all, all the beading and lace in the world will not make you look great if the cut of the gown does not suit your body shape. These are some tips on what makes wedding gowns flattering, and how to find the most slimming gown for your figure.

There is one thing which makes a bridal gown universally flattering, and that is a boned bodice. Light boning under a fabric like silk organza will help the gown hold its form and keep it from turning into a wrinkled mess (not to say that it won’t wrinkle at all, but the boning will at least hold the fabric more taut). The more heavy boning which is found in any well made strapless gown does incredible things for the bride’s figure. The structure of the bodice will tuck a tummy, lift the bust, and smooth out all of the little squishy bits that most women have.

On the lower half, an A-line skirt is the most slimming shape. The angles of the A glide over the hips, creating a more streamlined appearance. For brides who are top heavy or have a straight figure, the A shape on the bottom does a nice job of creating a more balanced hourglass figure. Ladies with fuller lower halves should be wary of the trendy trumpet skirts, which really emphasize the behind. On the flip side, a very fitted trumpet gown can also be problematic for the bride with a flat tush who cannot fill out the curves of the silhouette. The A-line, however, flatters all shapes and sizes beautifully.

The neckline of a bridal gown can also be very slimming, if chosen well. Just as the A-line gives a streamlined look to the lower half, a V-neck can do the same for the upper body. The neat thing about a V-neckline is that it can be incorporated into a variety of styles. There is the traditional V with a wide strap, of course. Then there is a portrait neckline or tip-of-the-shoulder gown, which has a very wide open neck which tapers to a V shape in the center. Halter gowns can also come to a V in the center of the neckline. A pair of crystal chandelier earrings would be a stunning accompaniment to a halter, and will elongate the neck. When you know all the tricks heading into wedding gown shopping, it becomes much easier to know which gowns are likely to be flattering.

Pick the Perfect Wedding Gown Shape for Your Shape

Column or Sheath: This is the most narrow wedding gown silhouette, and accordingly it is best suited to brides who are slender. Column gowns often feature empire waists which hit just under the bustline, with straight skirts which go straight down without a flare. Sheath dresses tend to be made of more clingy fabrics than column gowns and are the sexiest of all the wedding dress silhouettes. Both shapes are very flattering for petite brides, as they are elongating. Brides who are pear shaped or top heavy would be wise to choose a different style.

A-line: The A-line gown is extremely flattering to virtually every figure. The A-line refers to the shape of the skirt, which is of a medium fullness, and has a silhouette which resembles the letter A: nipped in at the waist, gently flared over the hips, and fuller at the hemline. A-line skirts can be paired with natural waists or drop waists, which adds to their versatility. They are a great choice for pear shaped brides, petite brides, tall brides (especially with a drop waist), and any bride who wants a gown which has some fullness, but not too much.

Ballgown: The ballgown is the most traditional and the fullest of the wedding gown shapes. They generally feature very fitted bodices and very full skirts. The skirt will be supported by a petticoat or crinoline and is magnificent for a formal wedding. The full cut of a ballgown skirt may be created by gathering or pleating at the top of the skirt to increase the fullness. Wonderful for a fairy princess style wedding, the ballgown is ideal for brides who love to dress up with lots of crystal bridal jewelry and long veils. On the other hand, if your wedding is less formal, this can simply be too much dress. Petite brides should be careful about ballgowns, as they can end up being swallowed up by too much fabric.

Mermaid or Trumpet: Brides who really want to make a dramatic entrance adore the trumpet shape bridal gown. Very fitted through the bodice and into a very low dropped waist, the skirt then flares out dramatically at the low hip or just above the knee. This shape is very striking and works well with bold accessories like crystal bridal jewelry and long cascade bouquets. Tall brides with well-balanced hourglass figures can really rock a mermaid gown, but petite or pear shaped brides should steer clear of this somewhat challenging shape.

Bridal Gown Tips to Hide Your Hips

Every bride has some part of her body that she does not love. For those brides for whom the trouble spot is their hips, rest assured that with the right wedding gown you can make your problem area virtually disappear. These are the top bridal gown tips to hide your hips.

One: Avoid fabrics that cling. A bridal gown made from a more structured material will always be more forgiving than one made of filmy material. When you are trying to downplay your hips, avoid bias cut gowns like the plague.

Two: Try an empire waist bridal gown to conceal a pear shaped figure. The empire waist hits just under the bustline at the narrowest part of the ribcage. This draws the eye to the smallest part of the body, which is always flattering. A generous A-line skirt is ideal, as it will gently skim the hips, neither clinging tightly nor adding extra fullness.

Three: If you are a true pear shape with a smaller bust than hips, choose a wedding gown which has a lot of embellishment on the bodice above the waist. Details such as ruffles, pleating, and ruching can add volume to a smaller chest, which will help to balance out your figure.

Four: Don’t assume that a very full skirt is the best way to hide your hips. In many cases, adding a lot of fullness on your lower half will actually emphasize exactly the parts you want to minimize. Pleats may not lay smoothly over fuller hips, which will only make the effect unflattering. A generously cut A-line skirt is almost always the most attractive bridal gown silhouette.

Five: Draw attention to your assets. If you don’t want people paying attention to your hips in your wedding gown, be sure to draw the eye upwards. Choose a gown with a pretty beaded bodice, add sparkle to your face with gorgeous Swarovski crystal earrings, and wear an elegant crystal tiara to complement your Swarovski earrings. With so many beautiful details above the waist, the lower half of your body will be de-emphasized.

Design the Custom Bridal Gown of Your Dreams

The bridal gown is one of the centerpieces of any wedding, but what happens if you cannot find the perfect one? Perhaps you are hoping for a unique gown, or one that fits in with your wedding theme, or maybe you are just not a perfect size 6. There are are many good reasons why a bride might decide that she wants to have a dress made especially for her; here is what you need to know to design the wedding gown of your dreams.

When you are interested in designing your own bridal gown, the first step is to do your research. Look through magazines and on the internet to get a sense of what appeals to you. The chances are that you will not come across one gown that has all of the features that you like; if that were the case, you could just order that one and be done with it. At your first custom consultation, you should be prepared to show the seamstress ideas of what you would like. It is perfectly fine to say, “I like the top of this gown, the bottom of that one, and the color of a third gown”. A talented designer will be able to help you see how all of the various parts and pieces can serve as inspiration for one fabulous gown.

Many brides will have tried on a number of wedding dresses before realizing that they would be better off having a gown custom made. This is very useful, as it can give you a good sense of what is flattering to your body and what is not. Don’t worry if you are confused about all of the different options! The seamstress will be able to guide you. She will also be able to make suggestions on how to best highlight your favorite features of your figure and to camouflage any problem areas. Be open to her ideas; you might not come away with the exact bridal gown you initially envisioned, but you may well end up with something even more beautiful.

Once the basic shape and style of your gown has been determined, you will be able to make choices about the fabric, color, and any embellishments. This is a lot of fun! You will get the chance to explore various trims and notions until you find one that you simply love. The options will be wide open, ranging from traditional lace to glamorous crystal beadwork to delicate embroidery. Many brides will opt to have custom bridal jewelry and headpieces designed that play up the most special features in their one-of-a-kind gowns. Designing a custom bridal gown can be one of the best parts of planning your wedding.

What to Expect at Your Final Gown Fitting

In the final months and weeks before your wedding, you can expect to have several bridal gown fittings. The last fitting usually takes place about a week or two before the big day, and it is the most important one of all. Here is what to expect at your final bridal gown fitting, as well as some tips to make sure that you get the most out of the appointment.

One  misunderstanding that many brides have about their final fittings is that they will leave the appointment with their wedding gown in hand. In most cases, the gown will require additional finish work after the last fitting. Unless you have made a special arrangement to that effect, you should plan on leaving your gown to have the final sewing done, as well as to have it freshly pressed in the last few days before your wedding.

Okay, so now you know what will not happen at your final fitting, but what about what will take place? This is your golden opportunity to try on all of your accessories with your gown to make sure that you like the way it all fits together. This is particularly useful for brides who did not have all of their accessories in advance; for instance, if your mother flew in the week before your wedding with her antique lace bridal veil or the pearl jewelry she wore to her debutante ball, this may be the first chance you get to try it on with your gown. It is far better to find out before the day of your wedding that your mother’s pearl bridal jewelry does not look right with the modern chandelier earrings that your chose, or that her veil looks too brown against the white of your dress.

Definitely plan to bring your mother or a friend to your final gown fitting. You will want to have the seamstress give someone a lesson on how to tie up your bustle. Each one is different, and the last thing you want is to have your maid of honor and your mother fumbling around after the ceremony trying to figure out how to deal with your train. Also, it can be helpful to have an objective set of eyes to take a look at your gown to spot anything that needs to be adjusted. After that, it should be just a matter of a few minor tweaks; before you know it you will be picking up your wedding gown just a matter of days before your wedding!

Dramatic Fabric Embellished Bridal Gowns

Bridal gowns this season offer some incredibly unique and distinctive elements. Many of the most intriguing details are created from fabric that matches the body of the gown. These are some of the wonderful fabric embellishments that you will find on bridal gowns, from the dreamy to the dramatic.

Floral motifs are huge in bridal this year, and so are the flowers! Big, bigger, and biggest is the order of the day when it comes to floral accents on wedding gowns. Picture a layered organza gown with one enormous flower on the skirt. Or a graceful one shoulder dress with a corsage of exaggerated blossoms cascading over the shoulder and down the back. The most subtle floral effect that you will find is a voluminous organdy ballgown covered in hundreds of three dimensional floral appliques. The really terrific thing about all of these feminine floral extravaganzas is that they can easily work for weddings as diverse as an afternoon garden wedding or a formal evening affair.

Designers are also doing some intricate work in pleating, scalloping, and ruffling for brides this year. Some of the styles can be very bold and dramatic. If you are thinking about wearing a gown with a striking cascade of scallops down the train or a wild profusion of ruffles, the key to pulling it off is to really own the look. Choose your accessories wisely to complement your unique gown. Custom bridal Swarovski necklaces will make it possible to have a wedding day necklace that is as distinctive as your gown. One of the best things about bridal necklaces that are custom made from Swarovski crystals is that they will give you a bold look at a small price so you can splurge on your dream dress.

Another special detail to look for in this season’s crop of gowns is an impressive train. The aforementioned scalloped train is one option. You can also check out some of the dresses that pair a slender gown with a billowing train. This is a great way to have a dramatic ceremony gown without being encumbered by a large and heavy dress during the reception; some of these styles feature removable Watteau trains.

Indulge your romantic side with a frothy chiffon gown, or treat yourself to a gown made from numerous organza pleats or one with a billowing organza skirt. Any of this season’s dramatic and yet ultra-feminine gowns will help you to feel chic and gorgeous on your wedding day.

Spice Up Your Gown with Color

For some brides, the plain white dress simply will not do. If you are looking for a gown with drama, personality, and a custom flair, spice up your wedding gown with color.

A bridal gown does not have to be white or ivory. If pink is your favorite color, choose a lustrous silk gown in the palest of pinks. Or maybe your skin is washed out by white, but would be radiant in a golden bridal gown. Ice blue would be a cool. sophisticated color for a wedding dress.

A lovely way to add interest to a simple white wedding gown is with a colorful sash around the waist, flowing down into tails in the back. Embroidery is another detail that can be done in luscious colors. Delicate floral embroidery covering the bodice of a gown is beautiful in a pale blue or pink. A very hot trend right now is bold scrollwork designs embroidered in black thread on a white gown.

Brides who love sparkle can add beadwork in their favorite color to their gown. Scatter colored Swarovski crystals over your bodice, or have a row of beading around the waistline of your wedding dress. Whatever color you choose, carry it into a stunning set of crystal bridal jewelry for a beautifully coordinated result.

Adding a dash of color to your bridal gown is a terrific way to make the dress reflect your personality. It is a also a great idea if you want to make a simple gown more eye-catching. Not only can you make your gown more beautiful, but the color you choose can be used as a theme throughout your whole wedding to make it really show your style.