The Plus Size Bride is the Norm...
Not the Exception

Relax ladies and rejoice if you fall into the American label of a "Plus Size" woman! Push aside those labels we as a society tend to assign to our figures and simply celebrate in the essence of who you are. The title of this article is completely true; the plus size woman is the norm in America and no longer the exception.

Sure we continue to see the magazine covers flooded with the images of super thin models, but these are no longer representative of the average woman. This explains the influx of new magazines on the market such as "Mode" that are aimed at the woman who still values style and current fashion trends without believing she must conform to a size 8 dress.

This same philosophy follows through to the world of bridal gown fashions. The bridal industry has long recognized the need for stylish wedding attire for women over size 14, yet pressure from consumers has grown as such a rapid pace that designers are working harder than ever to provide the same fit, shape and selection to the Size 28 consumer as they provide to the size 12 and under market.

Fashion is directly associated to style and attitude and has nothing to do with size! Some of the prettiest brides I have seen were those of size 16 and up because the dresses they chose were figure flattering and the confidence these women exuded was quite evident. These brides knew they were pretty inside and out and this beauty was not reflected by the size on the tag in the clothing they were wearing.

Brides who require a larger dress size must expect to pay a slightly higher price for the gown of their dreams based on the fact that more fabric is being used and the specifications to construct the gown are different. However, the sacrifice of higher cost is worth it when you can have the same style and quality of gown as those designed for the slimmer figure.

Below are some bridal gown shopping tips to keep in mind as you hit the salons in search of the perfect dress:

1. Find yourself a mirror and contemplate your best features. Have you got an incredible neckline? Are your legs absolutely lovely? Does your back look long and sleek? Whatever your particular favorite; you'll want to shop for a gown that highlights your strongest asset. Careful reminder, however, to remember what may not be appealing on the rack may look wonderful once you try it on. So if a salon associate makes a dress suggestion you frown upon; appease her and try it on. Experienced sales staff know their inventory and just may pluck from the rack the dress of your dreams!

2. Call ahead to several salons before you hop in the car to go dress shopping. Being a plus size often means some boutiques are limited in their in-store selections. There is no sense in getting your hopes up to try on 10 different dresses, only to arrive at the designated boutique to find 1-2 dresses in your size range. Yes, we agree that it doesn't seem fair, but sometimes a smaller boutique with fewer inventories will be limited in your dress size (depending on your size). The flip side however is that many boutiques now carry a range of dresses all the way up to size 28 before requiring a special order.

3. Be prepared for alterations. Regardless of a woman's size, alterations are fairly common in bridal attire. If your regular dress size is an 18, don't be surprised to be directed towards a rack of size 20's. Every gown designer is different, so a size 20 in Maggie Sotero may fit completely different than a size 20 in Forever Yours. Once you have narrowed your choices down to 2, see if you can find a trusted alterationist to assist you in making your final decision based on what will need to be done to give you the best fit. If the entire dress will need to be reworked then it's probably not the right selection for you.

4. Undergarments, undergarments, undergarments. Have we made our point yet?! There is absolutely no substitute for the correct undergarments, regardless of a woman's size. Once your gown is selected, make several sojourns out to the intimates department to find the right foundations to suit your attire. Curves are fantastic; it's the smoothing lines you will be looking for. Need an all-in-one slip for a clean line, or several different pieces? Don't be afraid to ask the sales staff in this department for assistance, they know their merchandise!

5. Don't forget to accessorize your ensemble. Taking the same care that you took in selecting your gown and it's foundations; use the same approach in completing your ensemble with shoes and selected jewelry. One piece cannot overpower another, your bridal attire is a symphony of multiple components. Make sure that your jewelry is not competing with the details of your dress (larger women can carry off larger pieces so be careful not to select something that will become invisible once added to the total look). Plus size women must stay united. Remember that regardless of the size there is a style and fashion that is right for you. As we (the American female population) continue to keep the pressure on designers and manufacturers, the fashion divas will deliver more of what we are requesting (quality, fit, choices and shape). All brides are beautiful and the plus size woman is quickly gaining the ear of the designers who wish to benefit from our consumer purchasing power.