How to Choose a Wedding Gown, Figure Flaws and All

Most little girls dream of their wedding and the glamorous bridal gown that will transform them into a princess. Well, unfortunately some little girls grow up to have a thick waist, short legs, a large bust, a tiny bust, etc. This painful reality should never keep a bride from looking like a princess on her wedding day.

Audrey Wiemer of The Bridal Garden in De Soto, Missouri, said the right style choice and a professional seamstress can hide anyone's figure flaws.

For example, Wiemer suggests that a petite bride stay away from the straight sheath designs and select a ball gown style. She said small brides should also select a gown with a shorter swoop train.

"(Petite brides) should not go with a big train because that overwhelms them," she said.

Terry White of The Bridal Shoppe in Crystal City, Missouri, believes petite brides are most stunning in a Basque waistline, one that is form fitting through the rib cage.

Full-figured brides and bridesmaids should try on gowns that will elongate their figure such as dresses with an A-line or empire waistline, which are popular right now in the bridal shops. Wiemer said that larger sized brides and bridesmaids want a gown with some kind of sleeve, which is also a hot feature this season. White said that although it might surprise some, many larger sized brides look elegant in the popular strapless styles.

"We do find that the larger girls can do a strapless (gown) and they don't realize that they can do this," White said.
If the brides show interest in this style, White said, "We always recommend that they at least try on a strapless."
For large busted brides it is usually possible for the shop's seamstress to order lace to match the gown and fill in the neckline so that it does not reveal too much cleavage. Bigger busted girls used to be steered towards the high neck gowns with netting, but Wiemer said this style is almost non-existent today.

In contrast, having too little in the chest area can also be a problem. Most gowns can only best show off their detail when properly filled out so it is imperative to fix this problem from the inside. Wiemer said most shops will insert padded bra cups into the dress.

"Sometimes we even stack the cups, two or three on top of one another. It really is better for the dress and oh, the girls are thrilled," she laughed.

Wiemer said that most of the manufacturers that she carries offer gowns in sizes 2 to 30. A few designers are now offering gowns in women's sizes marked by a "W" after the size.

"So finally the larger girls are able to order a smaller size but it is a wider cut," she said.

Many brides will agree that the most difficult decision comes when choosing one dress that looks good on many bridesmaids. ModernBride.com said that a popular option today is for the bride to choose a few different styles and then the bridesmaids choose the one that looks best on them. Wiemer agrees but cautions that the dresses should be made by the same company so that the color will match. There are also manufactures who offer two-piece gowns where the bodices and the skirts can be mixed and matched. This allows the larger girls to choose a bodice with sleeves and the smaller girls to choose one with spaghetti straps if they want. Wiemer and White say this is a wonderful option for bridesmaids of all sizes.
So with a few correct choices every woman should feel beautiful in their wedding gown no matter what it says on the size tag.