Plus Size Wedding Gown Shopping

A bride trying on a gorgeous Morilee dress in our Platinum Suite at our Williamsville, NY boutique for a champagne VIB Bridal Appointment.

Plus-Size Wedding Gown Shopping: Tips for Your Perfect Fit

Welcome to our latest blog post, where we dive into the heart of plus-size wedding gown shopping with compassion, understanding, and expert guidance. Finding your dream dress should be a joyous journey, full of excitement and anticipation. Here at Bridal Chateau, we believe in celebrating every bride in all their unique beauty. Today, we're sharing our top tips to ensure that you feel confident, radiant, and utterly beautiful on your special day.

1. Embrace Your Style

First and foremost, know that your perfect gown reflects who you are. Whether you dream of classic elegance, bohemian chic, or modern glamour, your dress is a statement of your personal style. Don't let traditional norms dictate your choice. Embrace what you love, and the confidence you feel will be your most stunning accessory.

2. Know Your Silhouettes

Photo by Seventh Arrow Photography and styled by Upstate Indie Weddings

Understanding which silhouettes flatter your figure can make gown shopping much more straightforward. You should dress for shape, not for size. Whether our client is a 6, 16, 26, or 36, we would make the same suggestions based on how our bride wants their gown to fit them. A-line dresses are universally flattering, gently skimming over the hips. Empire waistlines can elongate your figure, while mermaid or trumpet styles celebrate curves. Remember, it's all about how you feel in the dress—if you love it, it's the one.

3. Seek Out Inclusive Boutiques

Some recent reviews from our amazing plus size brides.

Choose a bridal boutique that celebrates diversity and inclusivity. They may say they offer plus sizes, but call them and find out what size range do they have IN STORE to try on, not just what size they can order. If their website and social media aren’t showing plus size brides, that’s a big red flag. Also, how many gowns do they dedicate to their curvy bridal collections?

At Bridal Chateau, we pride ourselves on offering the widest range of sizes and the best plus size wedding dress selection in the Buffalo area. We house 500 gowns and dedicate at least 1/3 of our inventory to our size 18+ dresses. That translates to over 150 gowns dedicated to our plus size brides, that’s more than the entire inventory of some boutiques. We purposefully partner with designers who design with every body in mind. An inclusive environment ensures a comfortable and joyous shopping experience.

4. Understanding undergarments

Absolutely, discussing the significance of specialty undergarments for brides, is crucial because it impacts both the appearance and comfort of the wedding gown. Let's delve into the reasons why a bride may want to consider—or possibly skip—specialty undergarments for her big day.

Why Brides May Want Specialty Undergarments

Enhanced Silhouette

Specialty undergarments are designed to smooth and shape the body, ensuring that the wedding gown drapes how you intend. For certain gown styles, such as form-fitting mermaid or trumpet dresses, the right undergarments can make a significant difference in how the gown looks, creating a seamless silhouette.

Support and Comfort

A long day in a wedding gown demands both support and comfort, especially for plus-size brides. Specialty undergarments like corsets, shaping briefs, or supportive bras ensure that everything stays in place, allowing the bride to move and dance freely without worrying about wardrobe malfunctions.

Reasons to Skip Specialty Undergarments

Comfort Preferences

Not every bride finds specialty undergarments comfortable. For some, less restrictive lingerie might be preferable, especially if their dress is already designed with support in mind or if the wedding is in a warm location where additional layers could be cumbersome.

Minimalist Gown Designs

For dresses with minimalist designs, heavy shaping might not be necessary. Gowns made from heavier fabrics or with built-in support may not require additional undergarments, allowing brides to opt for simpler, more comfortable options.

Personal Style and Body Confidence

Some brides choose to embrace their natural shape without the aim of altering it with specialty undergarments. This decision can be a powerful statement of body confidence and personal style, particularly if the bride feels that such undergarments are not in line with her usual attire or the message she wants to convey on her wedding day. We recommend trying your favorite gowns both with and without shapewear, if you were thinking of wearing it. We’ve had a lot of brides look better in their gown without it.

5. Trust Your Instincts

Ultimately, the most important tip we can offer is to trust your instincts. You deserve to feel beautiful, respected, and valued throughout your gown shopping journey. If you don’t feel comfortable at a salon, it’s okay to end an appointment early. Likewise, if a dress makes you feel anything less than radiant, move on. Your dream gown is the one that makes you feel like the best version of yourself.

6. Book an appointment!

Booking an appointment can significantly enhance your gown shopping experience. Our trained stylists are here to listen, support, and find gowns that celebrate your figure. They can make amazing suggestions that you may not have even thought of. Thought you would prefer a long sleeved gown? Well perhaps our a la carte accessories would work best for you. Often times sleeves on a wedding gown are not made of a stretch material. The body of the dress may fit better in one size and the sleeves may fit better in another. With our accessories through designers, like Maggie Sottero, that allow us to choose a gown in one size and add on a sleeve in another size, giving you the best fit and limiting costly alterations.

Our stylists also double as cheerleaders and confidants. They will help you to explore different styles to finding your perfect match, making sure you are comfortable along the journey. They may show you a style that you had never even thought of wearing!

Our stunning bride, Mikala, and new husband taking ceremonial shots to make their union official. Photography by SB Photography,.

At Bridal Chateau, we are committed to providing an empowering, joyful, and inclusive shopping experience for every bride. Your wedding gown is a symbol of your love story—unique, beautiful, and exclusively yours. We can't wait to be a part of your journey to finding the perfect dress.

Thank you for considering us as your partner in this beautiful chapter of your life. We are here to support you every step of the way. 💕