No matter who you are, who you know, how tall or short, size 2 or size 16, glamorous or earthy, all brides should feel like beautiful goddesses on their wedding days.

In regards to the hunt for the perfect dress, we all have our issues (mine is that lovely non-flat tummy that I inherited from my mother’s family). No matter what, you want to glow. You want everyone to gasp quietly in awe upon their first glimpse of you walking down the aisle. You want your honey to know deep in his heart that he is marrying the most beautiful woman on the planet.

So how to achieve this if you hit the common speedbumps that many plus-size brides encounter while shopping for The Dress?  And what if you have a plus-size  bridesmaids? With New York Fashion Week finally embracing plus-size beauties and networks like TLC acknowledging the plus-size demographic more and more, plus-size brides have many options and are claiming their own spotlight.

And check out this brand new, hot off the presses release of TLC’s “Say Yes to the Dress: Big Bliss” trailer…

Ann from Strut Bridal Salon, a bridal salon that caters to the plus-size bride, advises you to prequalify dress shops by asking the following questions:

1. Do you carry this brand/style or something similar?  Be sure to be very specific. Some stores, for example, don’t carry mermaid dresses over a size 12. If that’s a style you want to try, be sure to ask if you will be able to put on that silhouette.
2. Do you have samples to fit a bride size 22-26? Be sure to ask how many dresses they have in a size that will fit you, and then ask if they will zip (as opposed to having a gaping back or just being held against your body).
3. Is there a day of the week that will be more relaxed for shopping?  Some brides are more comfortable with fewer other wedding parties around.
4. Do you have a plus size or more mature consultant that can assist me? You may be more comfortable working with sales people that are curvy also.

Sara Mack from Destiny’s Bride , a Scottsdale Bridal Boutique, offers this advice:

1. Keep an open mind and try on different silhouettes- you can be surprised by what you will love. I  find a lot of plus-size brides will allow themselves to be confined to a particular shape to “hide” their shape when certain silhouettes, like the trumpet or modified A-line, show off a fuller shape and are incredibly flattering. 

This modified A-line gown by Jim Hjelm  is a perfect option for plus-size brides!

2. DON’T give up! It can be frustrating for any size bride when the sample doesn’t fit- but don’t get discouraged. Let your bridal consultant help you to see how the gown is supposed to fit by using pins or clips. When you find your dress, you’ll know- because you’ll love it even if the sample is in ivory when you want white or if it doesn’t quite zip up all the way in the back.

 

The day you go to a bridal show, especially if it’s your first, is a day full of excitement mixed with anxiety. It can be overwhelming to say the least. When I went with my mom before my wedding, we were giddy to have the chance to hunker down and get into full-on bridal mode. This was going to be classic mother-daughter bonding.

What we weren’t expecting was to be paralyzed by too many choices. You know how it’s easer to make a decision about glassware when you only have 4 choices? And you know how you simply cannot make a decision if you have 20 types of linens to choose from? This is the bridal show effect. 

So why attend a Bridal Show? Because you will get to actually meet the vendors that you are looking for all in one place- huge time saver! And because there is nothing more fun than canoodling with other brides. This is a forum created  just for you where you can talk rings, dresses, flowers and invitations without anyone telling you that you are obsessed and need to get a life. You are with your people.

Here are a few tips to make sure you enjoy the bridal show you have been looking forward to:

1. Bring your own comfortable tote bag. You will be collecting massive amounts of information and you will want to have a bag that fits nicely over your shoulder. Here’s a cutie bag:

2. Wear Comfortable Shoes! You do not need to be nursing blisters and sore feet when you are making connections with the people who could very well be helping you create the wedding day of your dreams. And make sure your buddy (mom, best friend, fiance) is prepared for a long day. The last thing you want to be doing is managing a cranky show partner (bribing them with chocolate or Starbucks is not beneath you).

3. Expect deals and pressure. You will find that many vendors are offering show discounts. What you will also find is some vendors who want you to book on the spot for those discounts. You can certainly do this if you have done your research prior to the show and know who you are dealing with. However,  if you do not know the vendor and do not get a good vibe, or just don’t feel a good connection to him/her, take a pass. No good deal is worth potential drama down the road. You will find many talented and trustworthy vendors at these shows but you also need do your research. The deals are great if you already have your eye on a vendor or two. For more about “connecting” with potential coordinators, check out Victoria Canada Weddings and Events’  blog. For tips on how to choose a photographer, Melissa Jill has some stellar advice- click here.

4. Finally, set up a wedding email account. You are going to be getting a lot of emails from all of the vendors at the show, even if you did not contact them personally. They all get “The List”  which has your information on it and they are legally allowed to contact you. To avoid having your everyday email bombarded, use a free service like Yahoo, Gmail or Hotmail to manage the influx.

Check out this video featuring Kim Horne of Arizona Bridal Source talking trends on ABC15:

For complete list of Arizona Bridal Shows, click here!

Chatting Soon~Kelly