Reassurance needed please!

Denise40

I'm trying on dresses tomorrow and I'm a nervous wreck. It's been 31 years since the last time I had one on and times sure have changed. Being an older bride and second marriage I'm really freaking out. I'm thinking they will snicker at me, that I'm not a " model" bride. I'm not overly big but I'm far from small. I have hips and a belly etc. I could go on forever. Anyone else felt like this?? Ok, my ranting is done.

blabla89

Don't be so hard on yourself. Hardly anyone has a perfect body. You'll have a great time and you'll find a dress that makes you feel beautiful. Good luck!

missdelilah

Please take a deep breath and remind yourself that you walk straight out of any store where the sales people treat with anything less than utter courtesy.  You'll find your dress.  And I'm sure you'll find that most people are much less judgmental than you're worried about.  There are all sorts of brides coming in and out of bridal stores.  I'm sure you'll be absolutely fine.

Denise40

Thank you both for saying that! It makes me feel better.

missdelilah

I'm pleased we could help.  And remember, if you're worried about your pictures (I know they seem very far out at the dress shopping stage), you can always have them photoshopped beyond recognition, like all the models do.  xx

weddingcactus

There are so many silhouettes for wedding dresses, that I am positive you will find something that will flatter your figure. Hardly anyone has a perfect figure. I know I don't. I have some lower belly fat and I feel like my hips and thighs are too big.  But I bet there's something you love about your body too. I like my shoulders and my narrow waist and I found the perfect dress to highlight the features I like.  While I didn't feel beautiful in every single dress I tried on, I felt stunning in several. It was all about finding the right shape and material to work with my figure.

I absolutely agree that any bridal shop that does not treat you well just because of your age does not deserve your business. If you'd feel more comfortable and you can afford it up front, you could even order dresses online from shops that have good return policies like BHLDN, JCrew, etc. Or you might even consider a beautiful evening gown if that suits you better. I've seen some gorgeous evening gowns on Neiman Marcus that would make stunning wedding dresses.

I also want to reiterate to you (and any bride reading this) what a previous poster said: the pictures of models in wedding dresses are usually photoshopped. Besides, their whole job is modeling clothing, of course clothing is going to look good on them. But you know what? I have seen so many brides in ALL shapes and sizes posting pictures here on The Knot that look absolutely stunning in their dresses, even though they look nothing like the photoshopped models.

Don't stress about dress shopping. You will find a dress that looks gorgeous on you and you will look stunning on your wedding day. Don't be afraid to walk out of a bridal shop that doesn't treat you well or that doesn't have gowns that suit you. And don't be afraid to look outside the box and try on non-bridal gowns either. You may be surprised and find something you absolutely love somewhere unexpected.

NYCMercedes

You'll find a beautiful dress, don't worry. I suggest you call stores first to see if they have samples in your size. Remember too, wedding dress sizes are one or two sizes smaller than street size. If you wear a ten, tell them and ask if they have samples in fourteen.

[Deleted User]

Do you all honestly feel that those gowns actually look good on those models? They are way too thin and flat-chested. They don't do justice to half the dresses that are advertised and I'm willing to bet half the gowns get passed over because we reason that if they don't look on the model they can't possibly look good on us. I was an older bride at 38 for the second time. Not in perfect shape but even I managed to find something that made me look gorgeous even though it looked hideous on the model paid to sell it.

doeydo

Brides come in all shapes and sizes (and ages, well, let's hope they're 18+), and they are able to find dresses and look gorgeous on their wedding days.  There is nothing wrong with you.  I hope you have a nice time dress shopping.

[Deleted User]

Also be opened to style/dress suggestions from your consultant. You may have your heart set on a certain style, but the consultant may be familiar with a different style/dress that may be more flattering then what you would have thought.