Stumble It!
Though it wasn’t my wedding - I was maid-of- honour - A pre-pregnant self chose a gorgeous Vera Wang silk taffeta draped strapless ball gown with bustled skirt to wear to this black tie affair. I had to have the bodice taken in and re-boned as the off the rack sizes were a little big. After all the alterations, the dress was truly divine, and I couldn’t wait to wear it.
Four months before the wedding, I conceived. By my second month of pregnancy, weight gain was obvious and my breasts looked like over filled water balloons. I pulled the dress from its garment bag and tried it on. To my horror – (did I really think I was going to get it zipped up?) I could barely do it up! Oh my god! What was I to do, how much more weight would I gain before the wedding? I immediately called the dressmaker – whom kept track of my measurements as the months approached. The dress was taken out on average every two weeks, when the countdown to the final days were upon us, my dressmaker turned and said: “If this wedding doesn’t happen in 10 days, you are not going to fit into this dress, and I’m going to have to sew panels into it”. Hmm, no more pasta – well at least for two weeks I thought!
The wedding came, and I just barely fit into the dress. I had a little bulge in my silk taffeta bodice, but the dress, almost bursting at the seams looked lovely. My stunning blushing bride friend was a little nervous for me – and the dress – but thankfully it all worked out.
No need to harrow over my story - but it did however inspire this article on dress options for a pregnant bride.
The often over looked dilemma of conception leading up to the wedding could cause some brides-to-be to have a major panic attack. While others embrace it, looking forward to the challenge of finding the perfect dress. Whatever your situation, three things are certain: 1) you’re going to have a baby, 2) you’re going to be married, 3) you will need a dress.
There are endless options for the pregnant bride - Everything from maternity and ready-to-wear to vintage and bespoke. Many bridal boutiques carry a limited selection of maternity gowns so call ahead and ask how many dresses they have, and view their web site to be sure it fits in with your sensibility.
If you are thinking of wearing maternity, a really fabulous place to start is http://www.maternitybride.com/ - with a collection of very appealing looks for a garden, beach or destination wedding, and formal or traditional church wedding. The designer can alter the length of your dress or gown as requested. She also designs custom dresses. I strongly recommend you take your dress to a professional dressmaker for any future alterations leading up to your vows, as you will definitely grow by the time your shipped gown arrives to your home.
Don’t forget, you will be constantly growing, so consider a style that can expand in the right areas yet remain elegant.
Getting married and having a baby are two beautiful experiences, and lucky you, you get to enjoy both simultaneously!