In honor of the launch of Manolo for the Big Girl, here’s a handful of plus sized bridal gowns that are anything but dowdy, boxy, or matronly. In fact, they are sexy, feminine, and guaranteed to look great in photographs. As I’ve said in the past, there is no reason to let something as meaningless as a number stop you from getting the dress you want. Unless, of course, a designer or manufacturer doesn’t create gowns in your size… in which case, it’s time to say, “Screw you,” and move on because they obviously don’t want your money. Their loss!
An embroidered floral pattern embellished with beadwork paired with a satin bow will ensure that all eyes are on you.
Sequinned lace over satin hugs your curves in all the right places, and straps that can be worn two ways let you customize your wedding day look.
All right, this matte satin gown with an English overlay, corded lace, seed pearls, bugle beads, and sequins does conceal a little, but some ladies (me included) don’t feel comfortable showing off every last inch of arm.
This dress does more than catch the eye… it encourages eyes to bulge out cartoon style. Sure, the model isn’t particularly plus sized — at least not in my book — but it does go to show that you don’t have to be a size six to be sexy on your wedding day.
Nice! I’m no longer plus-sized, but I do appreciate the post. Some women on a local wedding board didn’t understand why I was happy when a local wedding gown shop went out of business–it sold gorgeous gowns by its in-house designer, but only in sizes up to 8. A “sorry, you’re too fat for my dresses” designer. I wonder if she might still be in business if she had been more inclusive of other body types.
In my search for THE DRESS I was told by several dress shop owners that I was too fat to try on dresses at their stores. One woman gave me a once over and said “We only carry up to a size 10 – try David’s Bridal for something plus-sized”. At the time I wore a size 12 jeans. Also it bugs me that wedding dress sizes run small so a 10 in WeddingDressLand is really an 8 or a 6 in the RealWorld. WTF?
Side note: I LOVE that first dress. Just gorgeous
Dress #2 is my fave. It’s soft and sexy, but dignified.
One of the reasons I went with a custom made wedding gown is that at 5″2′ and wearing a size 16 in streetclothes, the alterations were going to cost as much as the gown itself, so I figured why not just get something made to fit my odd body shape and size (short, fat, no bust, no shoulders, swan neck, waistline in armpits) rather than order something that didn’t fit and then spending the same again to make it fit?
I learned a long time ago that too many retailers focus on fixing our flaws rather than celebrating out strengths. I decided to have a good friend focus on the positive rather than try to cram myself into something that wasn’t really me and certainly wasn’t built for me.
It’s easier now, but fifteen years ago, people were only just starting to figure out there was a huge market (pardon the pun) that wasn’t being served.
anyone have suggestions regarding what to wear under a wedding dress that is comfortable but effective for a plus-size body? Spanx?
Spanx are indeed comfy and make you look sleek, Anonymous…but make sure you get the right size. Too small and they pinch; too big and they tend to ride up.
Spanx won’t fit everyone, though. Up to maybe a 20. Also, I love the first dress, but it’s hard for most women to really rock a strapless gown. It causes bulges.
I’ve found that a reeeaaaaaally structured strapless dress can beat the bulge because the top sits just around the body rather than squeezing it to death. Boning and so forth lets it ride comfortably on the hips.
I love that first dress!
I agree — the first dress is stunning. I would definitely wear that one, if I was picking my own wedding dress again!
The last model might not be plus-sized, but she’s still larger than the standard bridal model. Those are all gorgeous dresses, btw!