Illinois-Chicago

Wedding Dress Shopping - Nervous

Hey everyone,

I'll begin wedding dress shopping in the next few weeks for the first time and my nerves are getting the best of me! I have made my first appointment at Bella Bianca Bridal Couture and am so excited because they carry two of the designers that I adore (Alvina Valenta and Simone Carvalli)! I'm concerned, however, because I'm not a size two. I usually wear a 10 or 12 in dresses, but have heard that wedding dress sizes run small. Will I even be able to try dresses on? Has anyone been there before that can share what their experience was like? Does anyone know if these designers are anywhere else in the Chicagoland area?

Much appreciated!
Smile

Re: Wedding Dress Shopping - Nervous

  • aimers1525aimers1525 member
    2500 Comments Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    How exciting :) Yes, you will be able to try dresses on! Most sample size dresses are in the 8-10 range, but they clip you in so you can see how it looks. I ended up being a size 14 in my wedding dress and I am anywhere between a 10-14 in regular dress sizes; It just depends.

    I haven't been to Bella Bianca, but I will say that you should remember that the sample size dresses have been stretched out so they might not be true to size. They will take your measurements and suggest the dress size you should order, but you should go with what you feel comfortable in. I totally forgot that the dress I ordered had been stretched out pretty good, and when I picked it up I found it was a little tighter than I would have liked.  Thankfully dresses usually have a good inch of seam so they can be let out a little :) Have fun!
  • KatWAGKatWAG member
    2500 Comments Fifth Anniversary 500 Love Its 5 Answers
    edited December 2011
    I love bella bianca and brought my dress there. It is a wonderful experience.

    I am not a size 2 either. I am a size 6-8 and could easily fit into every dress I tried on and I even tried on a few mermaid styles. Every bridal salon I went to was great about sizing. they are really good about picking shapes that flatter your body type.

    When I was at Bella bianca I worked with Kristin. And I was super nervous because she is a size 2 and I thought she would have no idea what would work for me. I was wrong! She even pulled a dress out of the window because she thought I would like it.

    One thing to be aware of if this is your first time. You are going to be standing in the fitting room pretty much in just your undies. So wear some boy shorts and a strapless bra. I had a thong on.... it was awkward...
    BabyFruit Ticker
  • edited December 2011
    Thank you so much, ladies! Smile
  • kellycatalokellycatalo member
    500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    where is bella bianca? I'm still scouting out places to do fittings, and if its closeby, i might check it out!
    Happily married since 9/1/2012!
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    The Whimsical Wifey
  • KatWAGKatWAG member
    2500 Comments Fifth Anniversary 500 Love Its 5 Answers
    edited December 2011
    Oak Brook Terrace
    BabyFruit Ticker
  • edited December 2011
    I've made my first appointment there as well... and like you I'm a little nervous but excited at the same time.  I'm going on Oct 6th.  Really hoping I find a dress there cause I'm going all out for the trip.  Getting a limo for me my mom and aunts.  Definitely going to keep in mind the underwear idea... *fingers crossed*
  • lmg1115lmg1115 member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I got my dress (neither of your designers) at A LaMour in Barrington and they carry Alvina Valenta, I tried a few on. I loved my experience at A Lamour - awesome consultants, really relaxed atmosphere, and no pressure!
  • rj1821rj1821 member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I went to Bella Bianca and worked with Candyce, who was really great by the way.  I am about a 6-8 street size and I feel like they have quite a few dresses in a wide range of sizes.  What I liked most about their shop is that they are one of the few bridal stores that have all of their dresses out for you to look through and choose from instead of your consultant picking everything for you.  I would have purchased my dress from there but ended up buying it elsewhere.  
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  • edited December 2011
    Good luck! I'm nervous too. I hate how wedding dressed run small - it really should be the other way around!!!
  • storinastorina member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    I just bought my wedding dress today (!!!) from Bella Bianca.  I worked with Kristin as well - she's awesome!  :)  Had an AMAZING experience there!  I am typically a size 14 in jeans, and it seemed like most of the wedding dresses I tried on today were bridal sizes 12-16.  They all fit, but we just couldn't zip them all the way.  No biggie though.  The only ones I really had issues with were the mermaid/trumpet style gowns becuase I have big hips (but I really wasn't going for those anyway - I was just trying on different styles to get an idea).  So, no worries, you'll have a great time!
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