Choosing a Wedding Dress When You Are Pregnant
If you're getting married while you're pregnant, congratulations to you! Naturally, you'll be thinking about your wedding dress and how you can find something that fits comfortably and makes you look stunning. Well, here are some tips to help you along the way to finding your perfect maternity wedding dress.
Firstly, you need to figure out how many months/weeks pregnant you will be on your wedding day so you can get an idea of how different your body shape will be. Every woman carries her bump differently—some high, some low, some compact and petite, and some full-scale. Fittings will be essential to ensure that the wedding gown fits well as you get closer and closer to both your big days!
We all gain weight when we're pregnant, whether it shows or not (apart from that great big bump, of course!) and our body shape adjusts to accommodate the weight of the baby: your hips and rib cage widen temporarily to support your bump, and your breasts will probably increase a few cup sizes. So, be prepared to find your gown size increasing even if you don't feel that big.
Make sure you choose comfortable shoes and avoid high heels, even if you were previously a stiletto expert—because all your baby-weight is unevenly distributed and pushed to the front, your balance could be a little off during pregnancy, and a fall down the aisle is probably not what you've had in mind for your dream wedding!
You’ll also need to consider straps and sleeves. As you progress in your pregnancy, you might move into maternity or nursing bras, which usually have wider straps than standard bras. This means you might need to avoid spaghetti straps on your wedding dress or invest in a really supportive strapless bra. (Remember that pregnant women are advised to avoid underwired bras because they can damage milk ducts in the breast.)
If you're in early pregnancy or this is your first pregnancy, you might simply choose a larger size in a wedding dress you love rather than finding a special maternity dress. Styles that flatter and work around larger tummies include: empire and A-line gowns, Grecian goddess styles, flowing and stretch fabrics, and dresses with loose cuts. Avoid anything that is tightly fitted, like bodices and corsets—for example, ball gowns—not only will they be extremely uncomfortable, but they won’t flatter your beautiful blossoming body at all.
As for materials, you are fairly unrestricted in choice, though you’ll need to allow for a bit of stretch or choose looser fabrics to keep yourself comfortable. Silks, satins, chiffon, taffeta, and lace are all wonderful options. However, pregnant women can overheat easily, so whatever fabric you choose, make sure it keeps you cool.
A great asset most expecting women have is the pregnancy 'bloom,' where the skin, hair, and nails look healthy and full of life. Take advantage of your natural beauty (and enhanced cleavage!) and don’t be afraid to show off your new body—many women never feel sexier than when they’re expecting!
Choosing a Wedding Dress When You Are Pregnant...