Feeling fat while going wedding dress shopping? Advice!

I pretty much always feel this way, every single day, no matter what my weight is. I have gained 15lbs since getting engaged and my dress doesn't fit

My advice is to wear something comfortable there but do your hair and makeup the way you feel prettiest. Get a polish change or inexpensive mani. And if your bra/underwear are snug, get some that fit well. This will all help you to feel "pretty".

Also, don't pay any mind to the clips or whether or not the dresses fit you correctly, they don't really fit anyone well.

Go into the process EXPECTING that many sample dresses may not fit. IT's NOT YOU! Its the dress/industry. Give yourself a break.

Ignore the size numbers. If possible just don't look at them. The sizing on bridal dresses is wacky... and never in a "this dress runs large" way... almost in a "whoa, these run small" with the occasional "true to size" experience.

Expect to try on a few dresses/styles that simply DO NOT flatter. Again: It's not you. It's that the dress just doesn't flatter your assets. Make note of what is/is not working and move on.

Take only those people that you expect to be helpful and that will provide constructive input. (No "fat shaming" allowed.)

My advice is: blame the dress, not your body!

There will be a dress out there that is flattering to your body and makes you feel great. If you try on one that is less than stunning, just take it off and try on a different one

Thankyou! That is another worry of mine, the bra and underwear, I only have black and I am pretty sure in some dresses it may be see through. I'm going through panic mode, because it is really hard for me to imagine something that isn't there!

Take a deep breath-it's a process for sure. It should help to remember a few things when you go:

Your consultant will have seen your size/shape before and knows (usually) how to dress it gorgeously, so trust her. Throw out preconceived notions of what you think you're destined to wear and try everything-something unexpected may look fabulous!

Your dress is out there, maybe in white but maybe in ivory (soooo much softer, especially for fair ladies) or champagne. Take an unbiased and kind friend/family member with you. It's stressful enough without that person who's brutally honest to the point of being an ass about how something looks.

Buy the size you are now, not what you expect to be. It's way easier to take a dress in 2 sizes than to let it out those 2 sizes-think about how much material is in a normal seam.

Lastly, remember that bridal sizing is a cruel bitch. Typically it's 1-2 dress sizes bigger than street clothes. I was mortified but it's just a number and once that's out of your head you can concentrate on how you feel!

I am a plus size woman. I thought I would HATE dress shopping but I loved it!!! I am not sure what size you wear but wedding gowns seem to run smaller. Don't beat yourself up, you're beautiful and I am sure you will look amazing on your wedding day! If you are plus size try checking with the store ahead of time to see if they have a lot of dresses available in your size.

Also, find a dress you are comfortable in NOW, not one you think you will be comfortable in XX pounds from now.

We all know 'it's just a number' but it's a number that makes us insane; i cannot, for the LIFE of me, understand why the wedding dress people don't create a sizing system that doesn't make us all feel horrible

I was worried about the same thing, I had went up to about 25 lbs heavier than I prefer, but I went into it with a good attitude & thinking I am going to be a gorgeous bride no matter what size! I was dissapointed int he dress sizes, but they were not even close to my own true size, just keep in mind. find something you like now, not you will like if you loose weight.Brides to be are soo busy, I don't know how any of us even attempt to find the time to loose weight before the big day!

Embrace your inner princess and run with it. Some dresses I look ridiculous in (ball gowns) and others made me look tiny - enjoy them all. Relax and enjoy dress shopping. If you want, do a Jillian Michaels video or something - I always feel skinniest after a good workout and a good sweat.

Maybe ask to try on something figure flattering for the first dress so your off on the right foot. Having a good first experience can set the mood for the appointment. Ruching is usually very flattering. Fit and flare silhouettes will make you look curvy in all the best ways! Also something that cinches the waist! Then, after you realize how gorgeous you are, step out of the box! Good luck to you :-)

1. Look for venue's that will have dresses in your size (in MN Luxe was a great option for me)...every style was in my size to try on and I could really see how they would look as I wasn't wearing 4 sizes too small.

2. Get a good under garment (long line bra...good investment anyways even if it doesn't work with your dress)...it will hold you in and keep you tall and boobs looking good. And only some places will have bra's for you to wear...not every place.

3. Bring a robe that fits you....it isn't bad to not have a dress fit you as hey many don't...but it sucks to be naked with out a good bra on between trying on dresses that don't fit wearing a robe that doesn't close that has been provided.

4.only bring friends and family that will make you feel good. I left my mom at home because she hates things on me and tends to make me feel fat instantly...in doing so I felt beautiful and pretty or maybe fat but not unnecessarily so.

5. Don't let places limit you...I went to one of the biggest wedding dress shops (I went to 3 shops total) in MN and they found 3 dresses that would fit me to try on...this could have really gotten someone in a funk...I was ok cause I knew there other places where I would find a dress that fit and that I would like.

6.

Thanks everyone! I had one particular style in mind, but I may try a few first that the consultant suggest so that I get on the right track. I have been trying to relax and eat right all day hopefully it works for tomorrow!

FMM- though everyone seems to be saying embrace your inner princess I will tell you this. If you are talking feeling bloated, etc then I ask why are you going shopping right now? If you have gained a bit of weight that worries you or has you feeling under the weather so to speak then I say wait a few weeks and see what happens with your weight. The way you are feeling at the moment to me speaks volumes and you will just end up getting depressed and hate the experience all together I believe. I would say wait a bit. Believe me you have plenty of time to get the dress that you are looking for. If you can go in with an open mind and feel as if you won't get stuck on size but how you look then go for it otherwise I would wait!!! Just my thoughts!!!

Good luck and can't wait to hear what happens

This has given me a lot more confidence now to know that others sizes were no where near their real size. Do any of you have advice for what kind of bra to wear to the appointment? I don't own nude and my only strapless is a cheetah print bra.

The night before I went shopping i ate light and drank a ton of water (actually the whole day before). I made sure to keep the carbs and salty foods down (since those bloat you) and had water and also hot water with lemon in it. Those little tricks, and then just managing my expectations, using a lot of positive self talk (when you think your arms are huge, just remind yourself how strong they are, or if you think your hips are too big, just remind yourself that curves are great!)

It is pretty hard to not get caught in any negativity, but just breathe, focus on positive messages to self, and keep drinking that water!

good luck

My dress consultant said the perfect thing to me ( I am 15 pounds heavier then I wanted to be on dress day) that you need to love the dress in the body you are in right now. Meaning don't buy it saying well I like it but I'll love it once I lose weight. If you do lose weight... Great you'll love it more! But if you don't, you will still feel just as beautiful! Wedding planning stress can make your weight go up or down depending on how stress effects you. Enjoy your time and go with an open mind. I thought I was going to look horrible in a mermaid after gaining 10 pounds but I loved it! I got exactly what I always envisoned I would look like on my wedding and I couldn't be happier

For the love of god do NOT look at the size on the tag. Just don't.

Also, keep in mind that different styles/designers will fit you differently. I'm a street size 8, and there were sample dresses in size 14 that I could barely wiggle into, while I ended up ordering my dress (a fuller a-line) in a size 10.

Definitely keep an open mind about the dress styles. Try on everything at least once. I went in dead set on a mermaid, and it just wasn't flattering on me. It took like 10 dresses before the consultant convinced me to try a ball gown.

Surround yourself with people who will be supportive, but honest. You want to find a dress that is "you". No matter what size you are.

At my appointment they gave me a bra/corset type thing to wear. It was nice because it covered my whole top and made it less weird as the lady was helping me put on dresses. At another place they didn't give me anything and I just wore my own. Most of the dresses are pretty thick and have a lot of layers so you shouldn't have to worry about the color showing through.

If you are planning on picking a dress tomorrow I would make sure that you pick one that you love in the body you have right now. Obviously we all know that we want to lose weight but it isn't always going to happen. I made sure that I loved my dress and know that I look good in it now so that then if I do lose weight it will be a bonus. I didn't want to buy a dress that I knew I would have to lose weight in order for it to look good and then have that huge pressure.

I can't wait to hear how it goes! Good luck!

No advice but this thread makes me think of the Special K commercial with the ladies trying on jeans and the tags say something positive. Lol