A recently published statistic mentioned that up to 20% of women in the UK are pregnant when they get married. Considering that this accounts for 1/5 of the wedding gown market there has historically been very little choice for the pregnant bride in her choice of maternity wedding dress.
Time are of course changing, and manufacturers are now realising that women are not prepared to change their views on style just because they are pregnant, nor are they prepared to compromise on their wedding gown because of their beautiful bump.
Stylish brides to be (and mums to be) are now demanding more choice and specific maternity wedding dresses that are fitted to flatter the pregnant form, with a good selection of styles, colours and fabrics. So - how to choose the right maternity wedding dress for you ?
Well, the choice of any wedding dress, maternity or otherwise is of course very personal. You always need to focus on - as with the choice of any oufit - the features that you are comfortable with (and congratulations if you are one of those few women that feel comfortable with every part of your body!) If for example, you are conscious of your upper arms, a strapless maternity wedding dress may not be your first choice - but then again, you could still purchase that fabulous strapless gown and perhaps consider either a wrap or bolero jacket. If you are conscious of your legs, then wear a longer line dress - perhaps midcalf-length, or full length.
You also need to consider how you feel about your bump - some mums to be want to show the world that they are a proud mum to be - other mums to want (who are equally as proud of their bump!) prefer something a little more flowing and less fitted. Ensure when you go for your dress fitting (and indeed choosing your maternity wedding gown initially) that you tell the shop how you feel personally - they will be able to advise you which styles (empire line, sheath dress, full ballgown) that they have which will meet your needs.
Also think about the fabrics - do you prefer silk, satin, georgette, chiffon ? Each fabric gives a certain style to the gown - raw silk tends to be quite structured and can be used for a gorgous fitted bodice (yes, even with a bump!) whereas satin (on its own or with chiffon or georgette over) gives a much more 'floaty' look to the maternity wedding dress. If you're looking for something a bit more structured than satin/chiffon, but not quite as structured as raw silk, how about a duchess satin ? Your supplier should be able to advise you on options available depending on the style you want and your budget.
Have a clear idea in your head as to how much you want to spend and make sure the shop is aware of this. If you really have to stick to £300 then there's no point trying on £1000 gowns. You may allow a little more for that perfect dress but be very clear about what your budget is, and what allowances you can make if you do want to spend more for that perfect maternity wedding dress.
Wherever possible, choose your gown from a supplier that will allow you to visit to try on the gowns and offers a full alterations service. There is nothing like being able to try on a dress, see it, touch & feel it. You must be comfortable on your big day and only by trying on the maternity wedding dress will you be absolutely sure that you not only look good, but feel good. It isn't always practical though to visit a shop (especially if you live hundreds of miles away), so before ordering online, contact the seller to ask any questions you may have and ensure that you feel comfortable with their service and the quality of their gowns. Look for customer feedback on the website - this is a good sign that they can provide a good service and provide a real service.
When you visit the maternity wedding dress shop/order online, it pays to have an open mind with the styles available and try not to be swayed too much by how a dress looks on a hanger. Telling the shop how you feel personally and your likes and dislikes in advance will help them figure out which maternity gowns you may like, however, if they are experienced they may also have some ideas that (based on their experience) they think would meet your requirements and your body shape. Many brides have gone into shops with a very specific idea about what they want, but have come out with a very different maternity wedding dress that looks amazing on them ! So keep an open mind and try on lots of maternity wedding gowns - its part of the fun !
Author Bio
Natalie Gladman is the owner of BridesnBumps and Does My Tum Look Big In This. She offers the UK's largest range of maternity wedding dresses - many exclusive to BridesnBumps - and has helped hundreds of pregnant women find their dream dresses since 2002. BridesnBumps (part of Does My Tum Look Big In This) is the UK's only dedicated maternity wedding dress & maternity bridesmaid shop/website and offers discerning, style conscious brides many different styles of maternity wedding dresses in a range of colours and fabric options.
Visit her website at: http://www.bridesnbumps.com
