Wedding Gowns for the... um.. ample? lol

[i_heart_duckies]

Hey all.  So I have a question for all the bigger girls in this forum.  I'm getting married in October and I'm having a horrible time trying to find a gown that will fit me on my budget.  There is a seamstress in my hubby-to-be's hometown (where the wedding will be held) that I was going to have make a dress for me, but none of the pattern companies make a dress I like in my size.  And I've fallen in love with several only to find they didn't come in my size.  So has anyone made a plus size wedding dress or had one made for you and where did you find the pattern?  (I can give my measurements at another time if that would be helpful)  Thanks gals!

[JennyBeanie]

Congrats on your wedding!
I got married last July and I am not tiny LOL
I went to a clearance rack at a bridal shop in our city and looked for something that caught my eye!
It turned out the only one that I "kinda" liked was a size 6 hmmm only 12 sizes to small....
So I made the back into a corset and added some panels to the back to make it fit... I also changed the sleeves and added more beading...
heres a pic... (if it works...)

Sorry its kinda big...
Anyways... I do not have a before pic right now, but it was a size 6, and I am a 18 in street clothes...
I just hope that it will be resellable when I get around to cleaning it etc, seeing it has been altered etc.

I think the best thing to do is look at styles you like, then go to dress shops see if they have a similar style and work from there,
Or you can get it made, just that tends to end up costing ALOT more, then buying and altering a previously not wearable dress...
If you need help with anything let me know I would love to help you out!!
Jenn

[felly]

Hey!! great job with the dress! it looks AWESOMEEEEEEEEEEEEE EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE EEEEE!!

[Jasmine_xoxo]

You don't look a size 18. I'm a size 18 and no way I look so gorgeous!! Gah I have such body issues lol
What a beautiful job you did. I am totally inspired to do the same if my fiance and I ever actually get married...
I think I live in the movie "A Long Engagement" sometimes hehe
Beautiful.

[swampcricket]

I have to second JennyBeanie's suggestion.  I found a dress at a $99 dollar sale at David's Bridal.  Even though I bought it from a store, it still needed to be altered (it fit in the chest, but too big everywhere else).

Good luck and remember that all the pattern books have a Special Occasion section.  Anything you like can be made in creme or white.

Oh, and before I forget, I also made my own veil (they wanted $100 for the veil I liked!!!)  I got a base veil from Hobby Lobby (less than $20) and some creme double face satin ribbon and hot-glued it to the edge.  Easy!
And my friend liked my veil so much, she used it as her "something borrowed" in her wedding.  Yay for recycling!

[DrewsUSAgirl]

http://www.loveyourpeaches.com/clothingCat.asp?Cat_ID=30

[poppysmum]

I think JennyBeanie's idea is a great one. And JennyBeanie your wedding photo took my breath away...just beautiful!

[JennyBeanie]

Thanks for that guys.. made my day!!
I agree definately make a veil if you want one...
they are super easy and theres tutorials online everywhere...
and play with different fabrics too... I had one made out of chiffon like the sleeves seeing it was a more celtic look...
and SO easy... they are most often done by hand and I did a veil a month ago for a friend... took under 1 hour to make!!!

[SonjaBoo]

I just got married less than a year ago (May to be exact) and used this web site: http://www.plussizebridal.com/    I can't recommend this site enough!! I was definitely on a budget too (we had a tiny wedding) and I was very frustrated in trying to find a dress-- nothing fit, and I didn't like what I saw at David's Bridal.  (My Mom will testify that I was not pleasant when trying on about a million dresses!  I hate trying stuff on!) 

My dress cost a bit more than I would have paid on the $99 rack, but I didn't have to go to a store-- just gave them my measurements and they shipped it directly to me, and if you can believe it-- it fit PERFECTLY when I put it on.  (not bad for something you find on the internet without trying it on!)  I also ordered a bridesmaid dress from the same site several months later for a friend's wedding and again had a wonderful experience!  They have a great variety and everything was shipped very promptly. (And no, I am not affiliated with them in any way-- this is a recommendation from personal experience!)

Congrats i_heart_duckies!    I hope you have a wonderful wedding day and a lifetime of wonderful married days after that!  And best of luck in finding your perfect dress-- you'll know it right when you see it! 

[mommabear1963]

JeannieBeanie, I love your dress!!!!  It looks beautiful and so do you.