Hints and tips for pregnant brides
Tips for choosing the right maternity wedding dress
Your Wedding Dress Style
“How far along will you be on your wedding day?”
If you’ll still be in the early months of your pregnancy on your wedding day you may not need a maternity dress. You may be able to just opt for a slightly larger size in the style you love. If you are considering this option make sure the dress fits properly in the areas that are not going to ‘grow’.
Make sure you have a good dressmaker on hand for any last minute alterations … double check with her that your dress can be altered, and can be let out where needed! But be careful, as you can’t predict how much or how quick your bump will grow.
Most likely you will find ball gowns or dresses with a tight bodice uncomfortable and not the most flattering … they’ll emphasize your expanding middle! Best to avoid these!
Empire line gowns and A-line dresses look fabulous on most pregnant women thanks to their loose structure which creates a beautiful silhouette.
To make sure you wont out grow your dress before the big day its is probably safer to choose a maternity wedding dress. You won’t compromise on style or quality if you choose a “proper” maternity wedding dress.
What type of wedding are you planning?
Brides usually choose a long formal gown for a religious ceremony, this is also equally suited for civil celebrations too.
If you’re planning a small or informal civil or beach wedding, you may prefer a shorter, less structured dress?
Be proud of your body
All brides look for a dress to enhance their natural assets and as a pregnant bride, that’s just what you should do too. Think about what you like about your body and make the most of it. Most women find that bust size increases during pregnancy - so why not take advantage of it and choose a dress that shows of your newly acquired assets (after all they wont be there forever!)
Think comfortable and practical!
What type of shoes are you comfortable in? Have your feet swollen? Can you wear heels? You may want to consider a lower heel than you would otherwise have considered. How will your chosen dress look with the shoes you are comfortable in and plan to wear?
Would you like a strappy or strapless gown? If so, think about the width of your maternity bra straps. You still need to wear a good supporting bra so think about if you will you be uncomfortable with a strapless bra for the day?
Do you want to hide your baby bump or show it off? Discuss with your bridal retailer which dress styles will conceal your pregnancy and which ones will enhance it.
Are your arms toned and beautiful or would you like to hide them away? You might be happier with a dress with sleeves if you’ve gained weight on your arms in your pregnancy. Or you might want a wrap or bolero.
Choose the right fabric
You should think as carefully about the fabric of your maternity wedding dress as the style of the dress itself, especially when thinking about the season or the destination of your wedding.
The same dress in different fabrics will look and feel quite different. It will certainly drape quite differently around your body. Some fabrics will enhance your bump while other will help disguise it. Avoid stretch fabrics as these may make you sweat and feel uncomfortable as they will cling to your body rather than sweep over it.
White, ivory or coloured?
Traditionally, brides have married in white, which was seen as the colour of purity; today it’s considered to be the colour that represents joy. So as a pregnant bride, you CAN wear white if you want to. You can also inject a little colour if you want to!
Natural shades such as champagne, ivory, grey and very light pastels are always popular, but striking reds, blues, pinks and black are very fashionable. It’s your wedding and you really can have exactly the colour scheme you want.
If you love bold colours, but want a traditional coloured maternity wedding dress, why not introduce your chosen colour with your flowers and accessories?
How to Look good on your wedding day:
- Start a beauty regime if you don’t already have one – the earlier you start the better the results!
- For optimum skin care during pregnancy and to ensure you look your best on the day opt for a healthy eating plan with lots of fruit and vegetables.
- Drink at least 8 glasses of water a day to keep skin hydrated.
Cleanse face with a gentle cleanser and moisturize the face and whole body twice daily. - Avoid the sun – if you are exposed to even minimal sunlight use sun protection – your skin can be very susceptible to sun during pregnancy.
- Make the most of your free dental treatment and have a check up.
- Make sure you get plenty of sleep in the run up to your wedding day – you don’t want to be exhausted on the day.
- Many women find their hair grows rapidly during pregnancy and that it is much healthier and glossier. If you are one of those not so lucky women and are experiencing dryness and breakage use an intensive conditioning treatment once a week to help with the condition of your hair.
- Make sure you tell you hairdresser that you are pregnant when discussing hairstyles for you wedding day. This way the will be prepared if your hair misbehaves and becomes unruly.
- If you are considering colouring your hair – make sure you discuss this with your hairdresser as your hair may react differently to hair colourants during pregnancy.
- If you want to draw attention away from your ever-growing baby bump then opt for a stunning hair design to draw people’s attention up to your face and hair. Discuss possibilities with your hairdresser, use hair accessories for that extra special look.