Keep Comfort in Mind

When searching for her dress, the pregnant bride, in all of her glowing beauty, has a few issues that the non-expectant bride may not be experiencing such as aching feet, back pain, and water retention. Therefore, one very important aspect that designers of maternity wedding dresses are keeping in mind – is comfort – in both construction and fabric.

Using the same materials as traditional wedding dresses such as chiffon, silk and satin, maternity wedding dresses are often created with a looser fitting mid-section to make room for baby and prevent a tight fit that might add pressure on the bride’s back – and bladder.

Shopping Sizes and Styles

When ordering a maternity wedding dress online, be sure to use your pre-pregnancy size. Maternity wedding gowns are sized normally but are cut to accommodate a pregnant body shape. Stretchy lace type gowns with a silky and stretchy liner are excellent because they allow for a little more give just in case you’re retaining water on the day of your wedding. Empire waist styles are also great for allowing the expectant bride the breathing and growing room she’ll most likely require. Another option to consider in regard to cut and style is the two-piece maternity wedding dress.

Another important part of finding the right maternity wedding dress is to allow yourself ample time to shop and also to give yourself the flexibility to try on various styles and materials you wouldn’t normally choose in a non-pregnant state. Your body is changing and making room for baby and your face is beaming with a natural mother-to-be glow. You have much to celebrate and your dress should allow you to feel as comfortable as you are beautiful.

Maternity wedding dresses are available in as many sizes and styles as ordinary wedding dresses and include short and long lengths as well as halter and sleeveless types. When searching for your maternity wedding dress, be sure to try on various lengths and cuts to help you figure out what looks, and more importantly, feels, best on your body type. A maternity wedding dress should enhance your beauty and show your style, not hide your belly with tons of fabric and attempt to mask your pregnancy.

Here are a few shopping tips to aid you in your search for the ideal maternity wedding dress:

While choosing a maternity wedding dress, look for both style and comfort.

• Get yourself professionally fitted at a maternity shop before you search the Internet for a dress. A sales staffs that deals with pregnant women on a daily basis are more experienced in approximating what size you’ll be when the day arrives for your walk down the aisle. Remember, maternity wedding dresses are designed to fit the belly you will have, not the one that you have months prior to your wedding.
• Dare to experiment with different styles of maternity wedding dresses. This is your wedding and you should feel sexy, stunning and comfortable all at the same time. Even if you’ve never worn a halter or strapless dress before, try one on now. Your wedding is not just another day so why limit yourself to what you’re used to? Be bold, be feminine and celebrate your beautiful and changing body.
• Take your time when shopping for your maternity wedding dress. Visit both bridal and maternity shops for a larger selection and more options to choose from.

Maternity wedding dresses are not just big white “tent” dresses designed to conceal your pregnancy. They’re beautifully designed to help you look stunning on the day your celebrate your union, your motherhood and your new life together.

Do you need some answers regarding etiquette for the maternity wedding? What to do? Who to invite? What special arrangements to make regarding your pregnancy?

Firstly, rest assured and take solace in the fact that from the guest list and invitations to the flavor of the wedding cake, most traditional brides are also pulled in every direction with tidbits of wisdom from friends, family and even coworkers. Add a pregnancy to the mix and suddenly everyone is an expert on both etiquette AND motherhood! Rather than allow anyone to tell you what is or isn’t right for your special day, remember this one very important rule of etiquette and everything else will fall into place.

This is YOUR DAY! The only change you have to make for your maternity wedding that will differ from the traditional wedding – is the maternity wedding dress. This is the 21st century and you are the modern (and pregnant) bride.

As you plan your maternity wedding, it doesn’t matter whether you invite 10 people or 300 people. It makes no difference if your maternity wedding is a religious or civil ceremony. The only thing that counts is that you get exactly the kind of day that you want and deserve.

The expectant bride has only to accommodate her needs – and the beautiful little baby bump that will now require a stunning maternity wedding dress. Other than that, make no excuses and surround yourself only with positive and supportive people that will help make your union a special double celebration.

If your mother needs help with what to wear to your wedding, have her check out a good Mother of the bride outfits guide.

Sometimes things aren’t perfect and sometimes Cinderella’s carriage is put before the horse.  And sometimes the pregnancy comes before the wedding day. When that happens, the only thing about those little girl dreams that has to be “tweaked” is that beautiful ball gown is now a maternity style wedding dress.

If you’re worried that you can’t have your storybook wedding and wear a maternity wedding dress at the same time, then take a look at these red-hot-celebrity-expectant-brides…

For her romantic wedding to lawyer Keith Lieberthal, 7-months pregnant Julianna Margulies absolutely glowed in her maternity wedding dress and sheer elbow length gloves designed by Narciso Rodriguez.

While marrying Seal, super model Heidi Klum looked as glamorous and fabulous as ever. At five months pregnant Klum wore an empire line, chantilly lace, ivory maternity wedding gown designed by Vera Wang.

At four months pregnant, the always bubbly and beautiful, Jennifer Garner looked more radiant than ever during her Caribbean wedding to Ben Affleck. Garner wore a Vera Wang designed maternity wedding dress. The empire waist styled gown was accented with a silky teal sash just above Jennifer’s baby bump.

For her wedding to David Benioff, the lovely Amanda Peet, at 5 months pregnant, floated down the aisle in an off-white maternity wedding gown from designer Oscar de la Renta. The dress was adorned with a black sash and ruffles cascaded down the back. *One side note about this fun-loving couple is that for their reception, they took a non-traditional route by choosing to shuttle guests from the amazing New York ceremony to the Chelsea Art Museum where everyone dined on ice cream and s’mores, followed by the cutting (and eating) of the coconut wedding cake!

Pregnant, lovely, and famous Tameka Foster, was beaming with happiness as she wed her celebrity groom, Usher. Foster wore a lavish form-fitting Vera Wang maternity wedding dress accented with sparkling diamonds.

Looking stunning in your wedding maternity dress doesn’t take celebrity status. It doesn’t require millions and it doesn’t even take a famous designer.

What does makes a bride beautiful, and her wedding day the perfect one she always dreamed of is the radiant natural glow of being in love.

First and foremost, do not purchase a standard wedding gown just because it has an empire waistline and you think you‘ll be able to fit your belly under it 5 months from now. Also, to expand on that fabulous piece of advice, do yourself a favor and refrain from buying a standard sized wedding dress in a few sizes larger than your non-pregnant size.

Instead, for the best fit and the largest selection for your new body type, buy an authentic maternity wedding dress.

Why?

Because even though there’s no definitive lower waistline on that empire style dress, taking a risk that your belly will only grow the extra 3 or 4 inches of room currently available in the dress is just not a smart move.

Remember this: Its easier to take a dress in than it is to let one out. And while we’re on the topic of taking a dress in, that dress that you love and think will fit just perfectly if you buy it in a 12 instead of an 8 is going to be anything but a perfect fit.

Why?

Your body parts are going to grow at different speeds. Your belly will grow larger than your breasts. Your thighs will grow more readily than your arms and your butt, well, expect some enlarging in that department as well. So how do you know that dress will fit when you’re ready to wear it? The amount of money you’ll waste on alterations in attempt to remove boning, embellishments, etc. to make a size 12 dress fit a size 8 pregnant body could be near the $500 mark.

So, now that I’ve convinced you to purchase a legitimate maternity wedding dress over the not-so-great alternative non-maternity wedding dresses, here are some tips when figuring out the appropriate size.

While most designers follow a basic sizing guide, some maternity wedding dress designers might size smaller or larger than others so if ordering online, check to see if there are individual sizing guides for each designer.

Begin first with your natural, non-pregnant bust size and your non-pregnant dress size. If you’re an average size 6, then you’re most likely going to be a size 6 in your maternity wedding dress BUT that’s not always the case.

Why?

Because while maternity wedding dresses are designed and cut to allow room for a growing belly, the most important factor in true sizing is your pre-pregnant bust size. Think of it this way, if you’re a natural 36D size bust, and a size 8 everywhere else, chances are you’re not squeezing your size 12 breasts into your size 8 dresses on a daily basis. The point is, just because maternity wedding dresses are cut to fit a larger belly, just like non-maternity dresses, they are not cut to fit a breast size that is 4 sizes larger than the dress size.

Another important rule-of-thumb is to remember that if you’re wedding is going take place in your last month of pregnancy, your body is going to go through a sort of growth-spurt in those final couple of weeks, especially in the bust area. If this is the case, you’re better off getting a maternity wedding dress that is one size larger than your pre-pregnant size.

Before you order a dress online, make sure you have access to a good local alterations shop that can help you in those final days before your actual ceremony is to take place. Drop by and talk to the seamstress. Explain your situation and make certain they are equipped and available for at least two fittings.

The very day you receive your dress, or as soon after as possible, bring your maternity wedding dress in for your first fitting.  And by all means, order your maternity wedding dress early in case there are any major problems with quality, style or fit. Like any bride, you want everything to be perfect on your wedding day. And like any bride, the final fitting makes all the difference in how your dress makes you look and feel. But unlike any bride, you’ll be “fitting for two” and need to take that into account.

Also, one final bit of maternity wedding dress advice – if you’re unsure about style, cut, fit, sizing, etc. – pick up the phone and call the customer service number before ordering.

Ask your questions and make sure you understand the answers. If you don’t, then ask more questions.

This is your special day; don’t leave anything to chance.

The tea length maternity wedding dress is available in many beautiful styles that will either enhance or disguise your baby belly. Tea length or midway between the knee and the ankle, is usually worn in less formal weddings such as:

• Destination Weddings
  Outdoor Weddings
  Afternoon Weddings
  Beach Weddings
  Garden Weddings
  Spring Weddings
  Summer Weddings

Two great advantages to the tea length maternity wedding dress are that you’re able to really show off those spectacular new wedding shoes…and those gorgeous bride legs!

As long as they aren’t worn for evening or a black tie affair, the tea length maternity wedding dress can take you anywhere you want to go.
One very flattering style tea length maternity wedding dress is the chiffon empire waist dress pictured here.

When choosing a strapless dress, its important to also purchase a good quality supportive strapless bra. Be sure to wear the bra on the day you try on the dress and especially for your final fitting. If you are ordering your strapless maternity wedding dress online, its a good idea to go up one size just in case your breasts (as is normal in pregnancy) begin to fill out before the day of your wedding. Its always better to have to alter the dress to a smaller size than it is to attempt to let it out for a more comfortable fit.

Strapless maternity wedding dresses with an empire waistline are very figure flattering for the expectant bride. For coverage, consider purchasing a matching bolero style jacket or shawl which will allow a more conservative look for the ceremony that can be removed before the reception and photos.

Halter style maternity wedding dresses in a flowing chiffon are an excellent option for a beach or other outdoor destination wedding. For tips on accessorizing the halter maternity wedding dress see our accessories section.

Maternity Wedding Dress Two-Piece Separates

For the bride that might be having trouble finding the perfect fitting maternity wedding dress, or who prefers separates rather than a one-piece dress or gown, a two-piece maternity wedding outfit is the perfect solution.

Two-piece maternity wedding outfits are available in all cuts and style and in many different fabrics that will take the expectant bride from casual to formal affairs. Some are designed to hide the belly bump with an empire waistline and some are cut snug throughout the bodice for a more tailored form fitting look.

The best attribute of the two-piece maternity wedding outfit is the option of choosing different sizes for the top and bottom depending on your body type.

If you’re wondering about what types of accessories to wear with your maternity wedding dress, here are some suggestions:

Veil – Depending on the length of your dress and the time of day and type of wedding affair you’re planning, a veil is a very traditional touch to a not-so-traditional union. If your maternity wedding dress is long and formal, then a longer veil with pearl or crystal details is more than appropriate. For a shorter or more informal maternity wedding dress, choose a shorter finger tip or shoulder length veil.

Tiaras, Barrettes, Combs, Flowers – If you prefer to leave out the veil in favor of a more casual look or a more contemporary one to match the style of your maternity wedding dress, consider a sparkly princess style tiara or a headpiece that is attached with a comb embellished with silk flowers, tulle and beading. Another option for an outdoor, beach or other casual affair is fresh flowers such as orchids, tiger lilies, a crown of daisies or sweat heart roses with babies breath. Choose your headpiece early on so that you can discuss it with your hairstylist when choosing how you’ll be wearing your hair for your wedding day.

Shoes – From sparkling Cinderella style formal shoes to ballerina slippers your shoes serve two purposes. Comfort and beauty. Remember to wear your shoes around the house for a few hours about one week before your wedding to break them in and to be sure they’re comfortable enough to wear on your special day.

Garter – If you’re following the custom of the groom removing the garter from the bride’s right leg, then remember to purchase two garters. One to keep, one to throw away. Under your maternity wedding dress, wear the throw away garter an inch lower than your keepsake garter so that your new groom can remove the correct one. Usually the garter has a little bit of blue in it to act as your “something blue” (which in the old days was a sign of purity and innocence.)

Jewelry – For your ceremony, jewelry should be kept simple, not necessarily dainty, but clean lines and simple pieces so as to keep the focus on you, not your jewels.

If you’re planning to change to a more fun and funky reception maternity wedding dress or if you just want to jazz things up a little for the reception, switching to bolder jewelry pieces is a great way to achieve a more nighttime look. Refrain from wearing rings other than your engagement ring and wedding band.