do you think a plus-sized bride can pull off a ballgown?

RebeccaB88

I have always dreamed of marrying in a huge ballgown.  I don't care how heavy it is, lol.  I can manage that.  But I am a plus-sized girl, short as well, and I  carry my extra weight in my stomach.  I've been told I need to stick with an A-line dress, which quite honestly I find frumpy looking.  I'm having a formal wedding in a cathedral, so a ballgown would fit that, but now I am afraid I will look so big I won't fit down the aisle.  But to me, it's not a wedding dress if it's not a ballgown.  I think I'd be very disappointed if I didn't wear one.  I know proportion will be key.  But do you guys think I need to get over it, or what? 

october010bride

I think you need to try on dresses first, before you settle on one style. You'll never know how something looks until you try them on. Personally, I don't think the dress makes someone a bride or not, but obviously it'll be your dress and your wedding. You should wear what you feel comfortable and beautiful in.

reese511

i think the only way to know if it will work for you is to go try some on.  everyone is different.  you may try on a ball gown and absolutleylove it...or you might actually HATE it.  i think every girl has a picture in her head of how she will look on her wedding day....but sometimes it just doesnt end up that way. 

but either way...whether you end up in a ball gown or not...you will end up choosing the dress that makes you feel beautiful.

HTH!

kris10royal

I was the same way until I went to try on dresses a few times, I wouldn't try on anything but ball gowns, then my mom pulled a very silhouette-ish, very fitted dress and I was reluctant to put it on, but I did and I fell in love.  Just try on a few different styles and see what you like best. Good luck!

opalsky007

I think a ballgown will probably work well for you. The structured bodice and large skirt usually have a waist-whittling effect that is flattering on brides of all shapes and heights.

_Dagney_

I'm sure if you try on enough dresses, you will find your ball gown.  I think women of all shapes and sizes can wear that silhouette. try lots of different waists, some lower, some higher.  

RebeccaB88

I have tried on just a couple of dresses, enough to know that I was NOT comfortable in fitted styles like the sheath or mermaid (talk about looking like a stuffed sausage, and felt terribly constricted).  I tried on one A-line, and hated it instantly (even though the dress was beautiful).  I felt like I looked like a fat girl trying to look thinner by wearing an A-line.  I don't even wear A-lines in street clothes, because I think I look dumpy in them.  I wasn't able to try on anything else that day, so I do need to go back.  My mom loved the A-line, though, but she is somewhat critical of my size issues anyway.  Fiance prefers the ballgown look too, so that's what I will be looking for, since we agree.  My mom's sole focus for me will be what will make me look thinner, not what I love, so I forsee a battle on my hands.  She is paying, so we have to agree on something.  I just wondered if any fellow plus-size brides could weigh in (ha!) on the subject.  I really appreciate all the opinions.

LarloBlue

I am plus sized and can absolutely relate with you. Having said that...my wedding dress is an A-line dress . I have to say that w/ a ballgown dress I loooove the corset. Maybe you should try that if you haven't. I felt so thin in the corset!

RebeccaB88

LarloBlue, I'm glad you loved your A-line dress!  I just don't feel good in them, and I think our wedding dresses should make us feel fabulous.  I'm looking forward to trying on some ballgowns - I just hope they feel the way I think they look!   I love the corset look too, so that will be a detail I will definitely be looking for.  I plan to have on an industrial strength longline bra underneath my dress, too.  That kind of support makes me feel good.  Need to lock and load the stomach, and shove the girls back up where they're supposed to be.  :P 

dizzinea

absolutley to me the fuller figure girls really rock the ballgown the best they create a small waist and balence the figure

sonya95

I'm short and a little on the plus size, and I found that ball gowns looked horrible on me. My MOH said the dress was wearing me instead of the other way around, and she was right. I never thought of an A-line as being frumpy - good thing since that's what I chose! Another potentially flattering shilouhette that surprised me was the fit and flare, but not too much on the fit side. 

MyWedding13

Try on dresses..you will find whatever works for you and hopefully it is a ballgown since that is what you want. I thought the same way...it isn't a wedding gown unless it is a ballgown, but my dress is a gorgeous A-line (not frumpy at all) and it is stunning! You will find what works best for your shape and size, I promise!

lblumetti

I agree, try on some different styles and see what you like best.

palrmt

I was definitely alot like you when I first started trying on dresses.  But after trying some on, I got a better feel for what would look better on me.  Also some A-line dresses can be made a little fuller by adding a layer or two of crinny underneath.  Just keep in mind that you may need to order in a longer lenth to accomodate adjusting the skirt outwards a little ways.  I was not totally against A-lines but I certainly wasnt dying to try them on either.  As PP's have said, just go an try different styles on.  Know that there are some things that are deal breakers (for me its a mermaid style).  They look great on some girls and I am just not one of them so I knew right off the bat that I didnt need to waste my time.  In the end I fell in love with a dress that I didnt even pick out.  The salesgirl brought it to me based on what I did and didnt like from previous dresses and she was right on the money.  technically its an A-line but with several layers of crinny so I still get that ballgown feel I wanted.  Keep an open mind and be prepared to try on lots of different things.  HTH