Busty Girl Problems:Wedding Dress Shopping Edition

I'm a G also. Wacoal makes a strapless bra in our size. I avoided dresses with low backs so I could wear at least a strapless bra. Plus, no one really needs to see that much skin. Both my dresses (ceremony and reception) are empire waist, and I think I can get away without a bra for the ceremony dress. I will need one for dancing in the reception dress. http://www.wacoal-america.com/red-carpet-strapless-full-busted-underwire-bra-wacoal-854119-p.html

I'm 42F, so I understand your concern. There are a few specialty bras that can work for your size, and they do make them that have a low back... you can also have a bra modified like you can have a dress altered, so keep that in mind - e.g., a longline bra, that goes to the waist, can have a back modified to be cut down, so you still get support. Another option is to have a strapless bra sewn into your dress. And the other option is straps/sleeves on the dress.

Do NOT count on the bridal salon - all of which have some lingerie - to have your size... you should bring your own. But frankly, I wore my nude regular strap bra for my first appointment, and it won't make any difference, so don't stress about it. I think it's super-gross to borrow one from the store anyway, if they do have it, because they do not launder them after each person wears it, since it's only worn for a brief time.

Most wedding gowns are *larger* than average in the bust - it's far, far more common that they have to take in the bust of a dress than let it out - even being a 42F, my dress is too big in the chest, because they order the size that fits the biggest part of you, so if your widest part is the hips, the top will be too big anyway.

You can absolutely get a dress with an open neckline - you're most likely to find that a dress with a corset back is your most supportive option - and even though the back is corseted, it will actually hold your girls well in place, even if you have a deep-v or plunge neck dress. I tried on a dress that had a halter neck with a built-in bra-front, with a plunge neck. Dresses that have deep, deep necks they almost always can put in a 'modesty panel' that covers a bit more cleavage, if you want that.

Make sure that you keep in mind, ALL strapless dresses can be modified to add straps, cap sleeves, halter, or short or long sleeves, so if you find a beautiful dress but you're not feeling secure in it, ask them to bring out some straps for you to look at - Alfred Angelo, where I got my dress - has pre-fabricated straps in plain, satin, mesh, and beaded that are 2-3" wide for $30 (plus the cost to sew them into the dress). They're a very cost-effective way to keep the dress from slipping down, and also to bring better shape to your top (as the strapless styles tend to let the girls spread out, which makes your top look wider than it is).

Check out some options here: http://www.biggerbras.com/catalog/bras-lingerie-swimwear.shtml?ss_1=&ss_2=&ss_3=&ss_4=949

Hope this helps!

Thanks ladies! Very helpful advice. And Rebecca- I am completely against strapless dresses for that reason plus I don't want to have to adjust myself all night.

I am an H and have a strapless dress. A good seamstress can make it so it will fit you perfectly and you won't have to worry.

All the cup size letter is is the difference in inches from your chest to your underboob/rib cage. Usually the number before it will be a better indicator if you can do low back or have a bra at the salon is my guess

Find your self a good alterations person. They will save your life. I'm busty too, and mine has all sorts of tricks to make sure I won't have to do the "pull, jump, wiggle" at all during my wedding. Like she is velcroing me to a long line, which I am probably going to a custom lingerie shop to get. Your alterations store will have recommendations. Find the dress you love, and they will hold you in it. Promise.

I totally feel your pain but I think these problems can be remedied. I'm bring two straplesses when I go, but they're both hideous. in general I shop for bras at nordstorms, they have cute bras for larger chested ladies, they don't look like something your grandma would wear (panache and Freya are my faves)

I'm not super busty but I did have to have my dress let out in the bust. So my only advice, like some ladies said, is do not let your chest limit what dresses you try on. Try every style and shape on and don't look at your chest as a flaw or something you need to cover up and hide. A good seamstress, and those can be found anywhere (the ladies at my local DB are fab), will be able to make the dress fit you comfortably.

I went to a bridal shop and the dress I am thinking of getting has a low back so I asked about bras. They told me they can sew the bra cups right into the dress. I don't see why they couldn't sew any size?

I doubt I can do sewn in cups just because mine literally wear 15 lbs each lol

My seamstress said admittedly "NO" to sewing in cups, and I'm a DD. Just saying.

Im a DDD and i am not wearing a bra.. i have a corset wedding dress top so it will just be laced up tight.

I'm a 34G and I second freya bras, they are a lifesaver. I have a longline strapless that I'm wearing with my dress. I bought a strapless but I'm adding sleeves with a keyhole back and a corset. I'm hoping I won't need a bra with all that support but I'm not counting on it.

I'm a 32 DD, but at Wedding date I'll be experiencing bloating and will expand to an E cup (stupid hormones)... My best advice, track where you will be in your cycle on your wedding day. When you find your amazing tailor, plan your fittings around that cycle time. Learned that the hard way when I ordered the damn thing after my menses and went for my first fitting at the pinnacle of boob bloating. Let's just say I put on a show in the salon.

I cannot emphasize enough, go on pilgrimage to Linda the Bra Lady in New York, or her website!!