Wedding dress shopping when pregnant.
It doesn't happen to everyone...but it does happen.
"...all of a sudden there's one more addition to the Bridal Party!"
You're engaged and well in the throes of wedding planning; date set, venue booked, photographer booked...and then all of a sudden there's going to be one more addition to the bridal party. It's so exciting, thrilling, perhaps a surprise, albeit a happy one. But then you think....how on earth do I go wedding dress shopping now?
"You can be a new mother and be stylish, breathtaking, elegant and comfortable on your wedding day."
If this is your situation - CONGRATULATIONS! And here is your ultimate guide to wedding dress shopping when pregnant.
Before your emotions get the better of you, I'd like to make you a promise. You can be a new mother and be stylish; breathtaking, elegant and comfortable on your wedding day. That is one promise from the Carte Blanche Bride team. I have had the privilege - and sometimes the surprise - of assisting more than a couple of clients who have discovered they're pregnant during their wedding shopping process.
"Here is your ultimate guide to wedding dress shopping when pregnant."
Here is what you need to do...
Begin dress shopping before the bump or during early bump phase.
Your body does begin to change as soon as you become pregnant. You may have even experienced this before you even knew it for a fact. So the best the to do is to get cracking. If you have:
your wedding date,
your venue and,
the dresscode you are ready to try on dresses.
Select a relaxed style of dress...
Nothing too corseted or structured. Having had 2 babies and worked with many women who are mothers, the comfort factor becomes super important once you've had your baby. Trust us. We know!
Some other things to think about when looking at silhouettes:
Find a style that doesn't have a waist seam
Maneuverability is key: You will no doubt be enjoying part or all of the wedding day with your baby so you will want to make sure you are comfortable enough to pick up or carry your child at some point.
A fabric that is forgiving: wedding dresses that are lined for a start and something that doesn't show up lumps or bumps.
Follow your natural style for your wedding day.
With so much change going on - no matter how exciting - it's definitely a journey - your body changes, as well as your headspace. So by selecting a look that is authentic to you will ensure that there are no regrets on your wedding dress choice.
You may need to wear a bra..
Our busts naturally change when pregnant, after having given birth and of course breastfeeding, if you are doing so. Choose a wedding dress that you can comfortably wear a bra, no tape or stick-on cups required.
Remove as much of the complications as possible.
Should I choose a wedding dress before or after giving birth?
My professional opinion is choose your wedding dress well before giving birth.
It removes an extra step (one of the most important ones!) that is required to give you space and time to enjoy your new baby
You've selected something before time pressures are an issue - meaning you will have made the right decision
The importance of timing when it comes to your alterations
Depending how soon after you give birth, your wedding date is, it's important to factor in alterations to your planning. If you're into the 4-6month mark your body can change rapidly. We suggest fitting your dress as closed to your wedding date as possible. Speak with a trusted seamstress or dressmaker to ensure they can make time for you. Traditionally 6-week window is the standard but when your body is changing so quickly 2 weeks is a safer bet.
Experience of a Real CB Bride, Allannah:
"The whole experience with Anastasia at Carte Blanche was wonderful. Just before my appointment with her I found out I was going to be 7 months pregnant at the wedding and my first panic was the dress! But she made everything so easy and helped to find options that would work with the bump. She was incredibly patient and supportive and made an emotional experience so much easier for me! The experience with her is also very personalised and thoughtful from start to finish.
She also had so many amazing options that the hardest part was actually choosing which dress! Can’t thank her enough for her support and guidance."
Carte Blanche Bride is located in Melbourne, Australia.
Carte Blanche Bride exists to refresh the bridal scene and take women through my dedicated, bespoke process. Through expertise, experience, and insight, I have found a way to offer women a personal, intimate service that walks them down the path to their perfect, happy, self (who just happens to be dressed in white!)
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