Confession: I am DREADING wedding dress shopping.

Do you know someone who can sew? I'm in the same boat as you. I didn't try on a single dress. My mom is custom making me a dress lol.

I put on 120 pounds in the past 6 years (long story, tragedy, coping through food, etc.). I was a size 24/26 when I tried on and purchased my dress.

Anyway, I was very nervous. What I did was research the dresses that I wanted. I knew I wanted a ballgown-type style because I have an hourglass figure - huge boobs, small waist, and big butt - it would accentuate the waist. I knew I wanted nothing clingy and sleeves.

I found two dresses that I knew would look fine on me. Sure enough, they did. And the sales lady even found two more in a similar style.

But my dress was the first one I tried on - the one I knew that I wanted.

Just don't lie to yourself. If you are self-conscious about your tummy, don't get anything that hugs it. If you think you have back fat, don't get strapless.

Good luck!

WELCOME TO MY WORLD! I feel ya. I went dress shopping back in January (ten months before my wedding) and about 50 or so pounds heavier than I wanted to be. I didn't want to go shopping because I couldn't guarantee I'd be smaller a few months down the road -- I wanted to be, but couldn't guarantee it ... so I didn't know what style to try on, didn't feel confident, and basically dreaded it. A few things happened:

1) I sucked it up and went, and actually looked GOOD in some things. Wedding dresses are built to flatter women of all sizes. There are particular styles that can make any woman look good (corset, corset, corset) and I was floored with how HAPPY I was in the dresses I tried.

2) Finding my dress is what actually GAVE me the confidence/motivation to start losing. Knowing that there was a dress I already looked good in (but knew I could look better in) gave me the drive to kick my butt in gear ...

And here I am, 44lbs lighter with three months to go until my wedding. I just had an appt to try my dress on last night and it looks fab!!!

Bottom line:

Go sooner than December, even if it's just to look. Show yourself that there ARE dresses out there for you ... so you can stop dreading it.

And, use that as motivation to start toward your goals. You have MORE than enough time to get there. You've done it before, you can do it again. And if you don't lose the weight, there IS a dress out there that will make you look beautiful no matter what you're weight (which you are by the way ... beautiful ... no matter how much you weigh).

I too thought nothing would look good. I was scared to go. But it was amazing to discover that their are dresses for every body type. And don't be afraid to trust your consultant. They should know the stock available and be able to show you styles that will look amazing on you. I tried to go through the racks and choose my own dresses and those were the ones that turned out to be a disaster. Just take a close friend you trust and try to have fun. It took a lot off pressure off to only have one person with me the first time I went.

I felt the same way. Just go shopping with the confidence that your FH loves you no matter what and you are going to be stunning in what ever dress you pic!

I fully believe when a women puts on a gorgeous white gown she magically turns into an amazing beauty!

Thank you for your kind words, ladies. I think I'm going to go tomorrow, alone, just to bite the bullet and get over the fear. If I find something I like, then I'll invite mom and sister to come back with me to see it. Maybe trying on dresses and finding that it's not as bad as I thought will help me get over my fear!

Going solo is a good idea. I went on three full days of dress shopping with my sisters, mom and maid of honor and it was too much pressure. I took my maid of honor with me on my fourth trip and it was much easier. I went to Alfred Angelo's, which is a chain that specializes in making alterations. So I totally redesigned my dress how I wanted it. And when I bought it they asked me if I was planning to lose weight and ordered me one size down. That definitely gave me the motivation to stick to my diet and made me feel so good when I fit it!

I felt the same way. Only my closest girls went with me (and my mom) and I did my makeup and hair that morning to feel as pretty as I could. A lot of bridal shops only have one sample size (at my shop it was an 8/10) and it won't fit though you can get an idea - I could get it ON but not closed.

I loved Ann's Boutique in Burke, but many of her dresses are pricey so it depends on your budget. I ended up with a David's Bridal dress and had Ann alter it.

A lot of people knock DB, which is fine, but, the one in Springfield did a great job for me and they have most sizes in store you can try on. So I could try on a dress I liked and actually zip it and see how it fit.

Also, take a deep breath and remember that bridal dress sizes are a beast. Don't look at the number you have to order. Many girls have to order 2, 3, 4 sizes larger than their street size. DB is pretty close to street size but a lot of designers are not. So don't feel bad if suddenly you need what seems like a very large size for you. It's just what they do.

Good luck!

I was dreading dress shopping as well. But I know what styles look good on my body (even if I'm not 100% comfortable where I'm at, this is what I look like) so I went in with a good idea of what I wanted to try on. The experience wasn't painful. I was glad that David's Bridal had so many plus size options for me to try on and I didn't feel like a stuffed sausage. I found a dress that I am really happy about.

Side note: I only took my BFF with me because she wouldn't make me feel bad about my size. I love my mother dearly but she tends to make me feel bad about how I look and I didn't need/want that during an already stressful event.

I don't think anyone actually enjoys dress shopping. I went one afternoon with my mom and sister and grandma. It was hot, sweaty, and uncomfortable, and the comments from everyone were driving me up the wall.

I went back a week later by myself and found my dress. The biggest thing about dress shopping is not to get stuck on a certain style. I wanted an aline dress so bad bc its what I always thought was my style, but it turns out sheath looks way better on me. Once I got over that, it was smooth sailing. I found a sample size dress that fits like a glove, and even though I don't love where my body is right now, the dress fits and I feel good in it, and thats all that matters.

I HATED dress shopping. I only took my mom and then when I was ready to actually order the dress, I took two of my bridesmaids. Ignore the sizes and be very vocal with the salesperson, if you don't like something, tell them because otherwise they won't be able to help you properly.

I was very nervous to go dress shopping as I am not comfortable with my weight either. I felt the same way as you and wanted to just break down & cry. There comes a time when you have to realize your body is your body for a reason - and you should always love yourself. Your FH loves you for who you are and you should too. I ended up finding a dress that I feel absolutely beautiful in. I ordered the dress one size up because I know how my weight fluctuates and would rather take it in than out. I know that is not the way girls usually do it, but I know my body best. Do what you feel is right and dont stress about it. I went with my mom, stepmom, and BFF and I am so glad I did. I think you definitely need a support system the first time you go. Good luck! Hope to see pics!

Great advice @alyshadanielle- I like that you said "your body is your body for a reason." True words!

It took me a very long time to accept my body how it is and I still struggle sometimes. Anytime I can help someone going through the same thing I will gladly step in with some words of encouragement, so I hope that helped! Loving yourself (mind, body, & spirit) is an amazing thing and not only will you see a difference, but everyone around you will as well. Gosh that sounds so cheesy.. lol

I was nervous when I went dress shopping because of having to undress with a complete stranger in the dressing room with me. I was even nervous when I got to my appointment and saw my consultant and how thin she was. But we started cracking jokes and she made me feel so comfortable. She was such a sweetheart. She helped me pick a dress that complimented me. I can't wait for my big day!

I'm in the same boat. I lost over 30 lbs last year and have gained 20 of those pounds back. Arrghhhh! I'm also very angry at myself but, more importantly disappointed in letting myself gain the weight back. I want to loose 20 lbs before I even go to look at dresses. However my FSIL and FMIL keep stressing that I need to do it now. My wedding is next June so I guess I will go and try to enjoy the experience with the thoughts of losing the weight and having to get the dress altered. Either way I'm getting married whether I'm a size 10 or 16!

I totally understand... I have gained a lot of weight in the last couple of years, and despite the fact that I'm miserable to the point to crying all the time about my weight, I can't find the motivation to lose it. My dress is in, and I have no desire to go see it, mostly because I'm terrified it won't fit.

That being said, brides of all shapes and sizes look great. It's more about the cut of the dress than your size. Be open to trying different silhouettes and necklines; they can make a world of difference. Corsets are great too because they're alot more forgiving if you gain/lose a few pounds and have more structure. Good luck!

ETA - You might want to consider shopping sooner than December. I ordered my dress January 11 and it came in July 21.

I say start looking and talk to the different dress shops about alterations. Most alterations are done two weeks prior to the wedding.

For information on dress shopping please check out my blog at www.uniquelyyoumt.com

Do not me discouraged @Lauren! Weight does not define beauty and there is a dress out there just for you that I am sure you will fall in love with and look amazing in. I totally understand how you feel as I had lost 80lbs and recently gained 30lbs back. Being overweight is a struggle and is something we have to battle daily to shed and maintain. It took me so long to lose the weight but seams like I gained it back over night, smh. You lost the weight before so you can definitely do it again!!!!

Just remember YOU make the dress...the dress doesn't make YOU. Focus on the fact that you will be marrying the love of your life when you go shopping, I'm sure that will keep your spirit up!

I was dreading mine as well because I had just started losing weight when we got engaged and I didn't want to purchase a bigger size than I thought I would be. But it was seriously fun and the styles I picked I LOVED! I didn't want to take my dress off when I found it. And I was in a size 20. I have no idea what size I'll be in December but after trying it on now I didn't care. You will look great! Just relax and breathe and let the magic of wedding dress shopping happen.

@Kylene, did you order a dress and then lose the weight? Or after? My fear is that I've ordered the dress and they say it can be altered 2 sizes smaller but that it might need more by that time. (Optimistic I know!)