Wedding dress sizings

[30not13]

Is it true that wedding dress sizes are not normal?

What size are you in normal clothes and what size wedding gown did you have?

I feel I need to prepare myself for this as I'm size 18/20 normally abd feel bad enough about that! Never mind in a dress I should feel a million dollars in 😐

Yes and no, I don't think the actual sizing of wedding dresses is different but they take all your measurements and would advise you on the size that would comfortably fit your biggest part if that makes sense. Just because they say it can always be taken in. When I went wedding dress shopping I would of said I was a size 12, when they did the measurements I think I measured 12 waist and 10 hips but my chest measured just into the 14 range so they have to advise I need a 14.
It's only a number, don't think about it! Although it was the best weigh loss incentive I've ever had.

I got married as a size 20. Trying on wedding dresses was a miserable experience - I'd asked the local (enormousl) shop when I called to book if they actually had things in my size to try on and they promised they had a dozen or more. They had one fucking dress, dirty and on the sale rail, and it was that hideous ubiquitous dress that slim bridal consultanta seem to push on plus size women - yellowy, strapless with red trim all over the edging and red floral lace all over the skirt. Not at all my tastes and I was mortified all through the appointment. Trying to cram me into several size ten sample dresses was absolutely humiliating.

Go to Wed2B - all dresses are off the rack, so no insane wait times as you go home with it, much cheaper than most bridal shops and the sizing is consistent and try to size. They seem to be much more experienced in plus size Brides as well and it was a lovely morning!

8hr round trip in the car for our nearest wed2b sadly.

Wed2be is online too. Thankfully it's about 45 mins on the bus to my nearest one.

I'm finding it hard to find a shape I actually like, I'm the a similar size. All make me look frankly ridiculous so far - I'm actually headed to an Indian wedding outfitter later this week that seem to have a huge range of fusion styled gowns that take into account more amble proportions and lots of colour options, ivory just looks awful on me

@30not13 ah that's a shame! What we you do, phone around bridal shops and ask how many in stock dresses they have in or close to your size - it really affected how I felt about myself, the wedding, my self confidence, everything really... I got it back when I was trying on dresses that actually went round me and again when I went to have it fitted properly by a seamstress!

This is what I bought - it's called "Divine". I was sat on the floor to let my little nephew throw confetti (dried flower petals my mum made us!) in my hair 😂

They can be. It you buy it off the rack (like I did) it’s based on sizes. I’m usually a size 14 and I think my wedding dress was a 18. I got mine from Wed2Be (I did see yours was a bit far) but just to give you an idea.

Oh that is gorgeous 😍

I've bitten the bullet and made an appointment at a local place that's been recommended to me. It's this weekend so not much time to get nervous!!

Do you not have a plus size wedding boutique near you? You will have a much better time than at a "normal" boutique with all their size 8 samples

If it helps my wedding dress was the same as my street size (also plus size and much bigger than you)

My experience was they didn’t even tell me what size they ordered, they just ordered the one I needed.

Honestly, wedding dress sizes are just made up. It’s only a number, don’t give it a second thought.

In my experience, yes...was a size 8-10/9 stone and had to have a size 14...no alterations needed!

I think it depends on the brand and style. I tried on some that were the same size as I was and some that were 4 or even 5 sizes bigger. I was a high street 14 but I had FF boobs at the time. So some dresses I was trying on 24s and 26s. My friend who is a size 8 was wearing 12s, 14s and 16s in some brands and 8s and 6s in others. She has no boobs or bum so she was baffled and a bit upset at been laced into 14s and 16s.

I highly recommend a plus size boutique for a better spread of choice. Or phoning the shops and asking how many bigger gowns they have to try on. I used an independent who had a lot of different sample sizes. A lot of shops get the teeny tiny sample sizes 6s, 8's and 10's which makes you feel rubbish when you look at the back and look like a strung up gammon joint.

The bigger gowns look a lot more flattering and you get a better idea of fit IMO as everything isn't pulling at the seams.

I found a dress online in size 14. It fitted exactly on the body.

That was when I was a good 1.5- 2 stone thinner than now I'm still a (large) 14 nudging 16!

There are no plus size only boutiques within a few hours drive. Will see what happens on Saturday!

I was a size 16 I believe my dress was something like a size 22 - maybe 26. I really wouldn’t pay too much attention but if you haven’t checked if they have samples that will fit you and they’re putting size 12 on and putting panels in it - it could be weird looking at yourself in the dresses so just don’t be demoralised. A dress in the right size will look very different to a too small sample.

good luck!

Yes they are different body sizes as compared to standard high st sizes. I didnt realise this when i went to try on, was size 10/12 and was trying on size 16 dresses, felt pretty shit, which just goes to show the ridiculousness of the sizing contruct. Wish i’d known pre dress trying.

I was a UK size 12 when I got married and my wedding dress was a US size 14 (UK 18). I think it was a Maggie Sottero. I did question this and they said it's better to go bigger and then have it adjusted, but I was quite surprised. Not sure if it's because I'd wanted sleeves made so maybe they needed more fabric.
I did try on lots of dresses though in the shop that wouldn't even nearly fasten and I just had to use my imagination. If possible try to be size blind and just enjoy the experience - remember it's the dresses job to look good on you, not your job to look good in the dress! Hope you find the perfect one!

Just thought I'd feedback how today went :)

Lovely bridal shop, lovely lady, I did feel awkward but I soon got over that. Not a clue what the sizings were as they had their own discreet system.

I selected a couple of dresses, the lady selected one that I didn't like. Tried that one on first, and yes you've guessed it 🫣

So now I'm skint and can't afford anything else but hey I'll look nice 🙂

Aw that is lovely news. Congratulations on finding your dress! The stylists are often very good at finding the right one, even if totally different to what you had imagined!

I am a size 16, I’ve just bought a dress today that is apparently a size 20. But it looks amazing and I feel great. And it actually is a bridesmaid dress that I’m ordering as all the wedding dresses I felt far too big and frumpy in as none of them would actually fasten up! I’m tall but you wouldn’t say I was overly big but I definitely felt it trying on wedding dresses!

It all depends on the style of the dress.

My wedding dress was a strapless A line dress with train and I opted for the lacing fastening on the back because it would accommodate fluctuating weight and it's a decision I didn't regret.

My friend had her fishtail dress made especially to her measurements but at the start of the reception, two of her buttons came off and it was obvious and she felt really uncomfortable.

No idea, the shop measured me and the dress was ordered to suit.