As if the excitement could get any bigger, those of you who are adding another major life milestone into the mix with a baby on board have an even bigger reason to celebrate! However, a growing belly and changing body does make the dress shopping a bit trickier. To help you navigate between finding the perfect dress that will make you feel beautiful and comfortable, we asked Tina Mak, a designer who specializes in maternity wedding gowns, to share her tips.
- Start the search as soon as you can. “Custom designing a dress typically takes at least four to six months, and oftentimes, pregnant brides don't have that luxury,” notes Tina. You can also go with ready-made maternity gowns which are typically in-stock and less expensive.
- Allow two weeks for alterations. “I would suggest scheduling the fitting about three weeks before the wear day for best results since your body is changing.”
- Choose a silhouette that complements your body type and personal style. “My favorites [for maternity dresses] are the A-line and empire,” says Tina. “The empire style is typically cut right below the bust and if you combine that with a long, flowy skirt that skims the body, it's easy to wear and very ethereal. For brides who want to embrace their new curves, form-fitting silhouettes are best achieved with fabric with lots of stretch. You still want to be comfortable.”
- Choose a fabric that will keep you comfortable. “We all know pregnant women are always hot, so you want to select soft, flowing, lightweight fabrics such as chiffons or charmeuse.
- As far as sizing goes, Tina recommends ordering your pregnancy size. “Our dresses are designed in line with your pre-pregnancy clothing size for your convenience,” she adds. “If you are having twins or this is not your first pregnancy, we suggest going up to the next size.”
- Regular wedding dresses are not created to fit the changes in your body during a pregnancy. “You may be able to get away with [wearing a regular wedding dress] during the really early stages but you will realize it just doesn't fit at the later stages. Maternity dresses are cut specifically for the extra curves.”
- Be true to your own style. “You wouldn't be comfortable wearing a strapless maternity wedding dress if you weren't comfortable wearing a strapless dress before you were pregnant,” she says. “And don't be afraid to show off your curves!”
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