I need advice - First time trying on dresses!

I am a street size 12-14 and was nervous as well. (plus I am 55) I wanted to lose weight before hand but didn't. I thought because of my size (very much hourglass -- big hips, big boobs) I needed a ball gown or A line dress. Worried a bunch about my arms. How would my waist look.

Should I just have a shawl to cover myself up...(read...big blanket). So much anxiety.

My best friend (MOH) came with me shopping and for me I found that the A line and bigger bottom dresses made me sort of look like a marshmallow. As we progressed through the dozen or so dresses I was so surprised that certain dresses I never imagined wearing made be feel beautiful for the first time in many many years! No, lots of the samples don't fit...but if you go to a bridal shop that has a wide variety you will definitely get a good idea. Be open to lots of styles! Take your time! You will find the one perfect for you!

First of all, Say yes to the dress is so overly dramatic.

I hate how they all look at the bride and go, "So....are you saying yes?!" after they've only been in the dress for five minutes and aren't even sure about it. So don't let that scare you away in my experience, I didn't have that kind of pressure in a bridal shop and I tried on more than just a couple dresses.

My advice would be to go in with an open mind--try on several different silhouettes, even ones you think won't look good on you. Once you find a silhouette you like, try on several more of that style.

Also don't be nervous, you have plenty of time to find a dress. Don't feel like you NEED to pick one the first time you go (I felt pressured because I thought it would be a waste of time if I didn't accomplish picking one after spending a couple hours at my appointment) and if you feel unsure, sleep on it, go to other bridal shops and try on more dresses, etc.

If you don't know what you're looking for yet my best advice would be to go to an appointment by yourself first. You can try on different styles without any pressure or having to walk out and show anyone... it's a good way to get a sense of direction for what you're leaning toward that way you can focus in when you go with someone else.

Don't worry about the size thing - a good shop should have a variety of sizes for you.

I'm a street size 10-12. I was super nervous cause I had absolutely no idea what to expect! I picked a bunch of different types of dress. My dress is nothing I thought it would look like but I absolutely adore it! The bridal shop made me feel great! Between them and the people I brought it was super helpful and I got the most amazing dress! I can't wait for FH to see it! Or my dad to see it too! I'm surprising them both haha.

Overall message don't stress if you don't like the shop or how they make you feel walk out! You deserve to feel beautiful and not self conscious at all! Make sure you take people who support and love you! My sister, my mom and best friend are about the same size and as and they truly helped me beautiful and let me fall in love with what I wanted.

Just like others are saying, go in with an open mind. I always had a pretty good idea of what I wanted in a wedding dress, something vintagey with lace but I had no idea what style I would end up with. I am super short (5 ft exactly lol) so I knew I couldn't wear a ball gown and I always loved the mermaid style but when I was in high school and tried on prom dresses I always found that because of my height that style never hit me in the right places. I basically figured I had to get an a line & I found some I liked, but when I tried them on I found they gave me no shape. The mermaid style ended up working for me best like I always wanted. I felt pressured to buy the first gown I really liked (especially since I didn't have a ton of time to shop, I went dress shopping for the first time with only 6 months til my wedding) but I decided to think on it and ended up going back a couple weeks later planning to settle with that gown, but ended up going with a similar but different one I absolutely loved haha. So my advice is even if you try on a lot of dresses, don't settle, you deserve to feel absolutely perfect and confident in your dress and if one day you don't find it another time you will!

I'm a street size 16 and I walked out with a size 14 ball gown! It's a very fun but overwhelming and HOT experience. I went in knowing I wanted a mermaid (bc I watch say yes to the dress) but I walked out with a beautiful corset ball gown. It's so fun but emotional bc it's hits you that you're actually getting married! Have fun and also keep an open mind you never know what you might love on your body.

My advice is to not have any expectations and an open mind! Things you love on a hanger may look awful and things you think you would hate may look amazing on !

I did something sort of out of the ordinary for my dress shopping experience cause I was very nervous as well and would get butterflies whenever I even thought about dress shopping.

Now I ask my friend advice on everything I love hearing what they think when I can't make up my mind on something but due to how important this was I was so nervous to go with all 6 of my brides maids, They all mean the best but don't hold back their opinions at all. I thought that how they would feel would affect how I felt about a dress and really overwhelm me. So I decided I would go to a really small dress shop by myself in town on my own and gather my own opinions on cuts and styles I liked before going with them.

I ended up knowing the bridal consultant, not well but enough that I was a little less nervous being ALONE trying on dresses. She asked me a few basic questions and she told me to go and look through everything (the had the SMALLEST selection, I was shocked) I pulled out a few I thought could be pretty and she snagged a few based off the answers I gave her earlier, and we went one by one trying them on.

I'm not a dramatic, fairy tale kind of person but the last dress of 9 that I tried on I immediately knew it was the one the second I looked in the mirror. I was so ME I couldn't believe it.

I went home and slept on for 2 days, called and order it (it also happened to be a quarter of my budget )

I felt like it was too easy but quickly told myself that if I feel like it was the one why complicate things by trying to see what else was out there? And as much as I feel bad that I didn't let my friends and family share that experience I called them after I bought it (just so they didn't try to change my mind lol) they weren't thrilled I didn't include them but they loved it and said it was perfect and I'm really happy I made the decision on my own.

Moral of the story, make sure it's something YOU love, I watched say yes to the dress too and there's always that one audience member making the brides life difficult lol

And go in with no expectations and you will hopefully be as pleasantly surprised as I was!

I am a size 22 and had so many options at plenty of stores to try on! You will do just fine and I'm sure will look beautiful in anything!

I also agree you should go with an open mind and by yourself first. I was nervous to go by myself but I was grateful I did in the end. I could really figure out what silhouettes and styles/fabrics I really liked. Try and have fun and know that you might not cry like they do on SYTTD. I found my dress first try and didn't shed a tear.

Just be open minded! Be willing to try anything on that you may like! My dress is something that I never thought that I would buy but it was the one!!

If the shop is a good one they'll have clips so you can see how it would fit on you and some dresses in your size. Don't worry. Enjoy the experience. It will be fun and a special day for you.

Keep an open mind and remember this is supposed to be fun!! It's for your wedding, it's your day so go in with a positive outlook. I was really nervous too but one of my BM that went gave me a pep talk the morning before to have fun with it and to remember that if I didn't find anything-there were other places to look and not to get discouraged. I hope everything goes well for you, good luck!!

I found the one today, fell in love, last place I would expect to buy it, and brand new with tags, On offer up $100, keep options open!!

I'm a consultant and I was a plus size bride shopping for her dress. I always give brides the same advice:

1) Keep an open mind! I'm very pear shaped with a smaller waist and knew I wanted a fitted dress but I did also really like an a-line. Had I not been open to trying this on, I may not have found my dress ( I didn't want any beading and my dress was head to toe beaded lace).

2) Be very clear about your budget. Alterations are usually extra so make sure you account for that as well. Most consultants aren't assholes. If your budget is 2000 and we know your perfect dress is 1200, we will pull the 1200 dress. That being said, a beaded ballgown is going to be more expensive than a tulle sheath because of the fabric and details.

3) Remember this is supposed to be fun! Your dress should make you feel the most beautiful you have ever felt. I also suggest against bringing a bunch of people with you. Most of the time they pull stuff they like, not that you will like and a lot of opinions may sway you from something you really love.

4) Don't get caught up on sizes. Most designers cut very small so the size you wear in clothing won't be what you wear in bridal. The fit matters, size doesn't.

5) Do Not Settle! I always feel terrible when brides who may not be a sample size choose a dress just because the sample fits and not because they love it.

Congratulations and I hope you have a wonderful time!

@becomingthebarretts,

As PP said, go in with an open mind. I had pictures of stuff I wanted to try on, but tried on a lot that I thought would never work. It's tedious, but can be rewarding with a compassionate stylist. All my dress shopping experiences were very positive. I'm a street size 16, and tried on a lot of dresses that were 16-20. Please don't worry about size. It all varies depending on fabric, cut, etc. My dress will be ordered in a size 20 (the 18 was just a bit snug).

I'm sending you good vibes that you'll have a rocking experience and find the dress of your dreams

I am a 16 and I dreaded dress shopping! For all the same reasons you are. But I found my dress the first time and can not stop looking at the pic. I love it!