A Perfect Wedding Dress for a Pregnant Bride

Congratulations to our future pregnant brides. You will soon have two special celebrations, your wedding day, and the impending motherhood.

When it comes to finding your dream maternity wedding gown, it is going to be a unique challenge for you to find the perfect one when you are not sure what your body size is going to be between saying yes to the dress and your wedding day.

Fortunately help is at hand. After working with thousands of expecting brides, our team at Sisters Bridal Uganda and Sisters Bridal Kenya teams have advice and answers to all your questions on finding the dream wedding gown for pregnant brides. You will find these helpful as you shop for your maternity wedding gown.

1. WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO START SHOPPING FOR YOUR MATERNITY DREAM WEDDING GOWN?

The earlier you start shopping for your maternity wedding gown the better, because if you leave it to the last minute, you will have very limited options. The first consideration is to make sure that you look for a maternity wedding gown that will accommodate your growing bump and changing body size, by ordering a larger size.

2. HOW SHOULD YOU PREPARE FOR YOUR FITTING SESSIONS?

Call in advance to book an appointment and ask if the bridal shop that you are visiting has enough wedding gowns for you to try on. Nothing is worse than getting to a bridal shop only to find that they have nothing in your size.

Inform your consultant at the first fitting session that you are pregnant, when you are expecting, and when you are getting married. It is also important to tell the bridal consultant your preference, whether you would like to accentuate or camouflage your belly.

Remember to always have something to eat and drink with you. Trying on your maternity wedding gowns can last anywhere between two to three hours. Make sure you are comfortable and feeling healthy during this process.

3. WHAT TYPE OF MATERNITY WEDDING GOWN SHOULD YOU CHOOSE?

There are different wedding dresses for pregnant brides you can choose from. You have a choice between flaunting your pregnancy, or discreetly masking it. It’s all up to you, either option can look spectacular. Whichever style you choose, make sure you allow for plenty of comfort in the abdominal area.

IF YOU WISH TO CONCEAL YOUR PREGNANCY

Empire wedding gowns or ball wedding gowns with a natural waistline as shown here, are perfect for the pregnant bride who wants to hide her pregnancy.

These two silhouettes will accentuate your neckline, while drawing attention away from the stomach area. The empire silhouette is most popular since its comfortable and makes you taller and slimmer.

To make your pregnancy even less obvious, choose a maternity wedding gown that is either strapless or sleeveless and has a lace or tulle overlay.

Also wedding dress that has a lace-up back is a perfect wedding gown for pregnant brides since it can be easily adjusted to fit your growing tummy without need for any extra tailoring.

Another trick which you can try is always to keep your flower bouquet cleverly placed across your tummy on your wedding day.

IF YOU WISH TO ACCENTUATE YOUR PREGNANCY

To flaunt your pregnancy, a mermaid or trumpet silhouette will flaunt your bump, especially when paired with a soft elastic fabric. Short maternity wedding dresses are another sweet option, especially if you are planning an outdoor or a civil wedding.

Dresses that highlight your shoulders and neckline tend to be the most flattering, and make sure you have plenty of room for a growing tummy.

4. WHAT WEDDING DRESS SIZE SHOULD YOU CHOOSE AS A PREGNANT BRIDE?

Generally, one inch should be added to your current size measurement for every month that you will be pregnant. For example, if you are a size 4, when you start shopping for your maternity wedding gown, and the wedding is in four months, you should add 4 inches to your current measurements when choosing the size. The right size to order would be a size 8 to accommodate your growing baby.

5. WHAT FABRICS SHOULD YOU CHOOSE?

Comfort is Key. Choose a fabric that has a bit of stretch to it, rather than stiff satin or taffeta, and is as light and breathable as possible. Remember pregnant ladies get hot. Recommended fabrics are Chiffon, Silk, Tulle, Charmeuse, Crepe, or Jersey.

The boning in your maternity wedding gown should only extend as far as the rib cage for comfort. Make sure the wedding gown has built-in burst support if you opt for a strapless silhouette to support a growing bustline and consider a V-neckline to flatter your enhanced assets. If larger arms are a problem, opt for cap sleeves or a pretty light jacket or wrap.

6. CAN A PREGNANT BRIDE WEAR A WHITE WEDDING DRESS?

Yes of course, you can wear any color that you choose. It became popular to wear white wedding dresses as a tradition then in Western culture when Queen Victoria wore one. It was symbolic of wealth and affluence, since the white fabric was more likely to be worn once since it can easily get ruined. Wearing white has nothing to do with purity.

Nonetheless, ivory wedding dresses for pregnant brides are equally flattering, and colored wedding gowns are gorgeous, but if white is what you want, you go for it.

7. WHAT IS THE BEST TIMINIG FOR FINAL ADJUSTMENTS AND ALTERATIONS?

Our advice is to get any final tailoring alterations done shortly before your wedding day, at least no more than two weeks before your wedding. You want to leave as little time as possible to make sure that the adjusted gown will fit you, since your body will be changing every day.

8. HOW ABOUT THE BRIDAL LINGERIE FOR PREGNANT BRIDES?

Even if you have the perfect maternity wedding gown, if you don’t choose the right undergarments, your gown may not look as flattering as it should be. As a pregnant bride, good support and comfort is very important. There is a big chance that your breasts will grow one or more cup sizes.

Our advice is to buy your lingerie shortly before your wedding day. You will also save in the future if you by a high-quality nursing bra specifically designed to give you comfort during your pregnancy, and it will adjust to your changing breast size.

9. HOW SOON CAN YOU GET YOUR WEDDING RING?

Keep in mind that your fingers might be slightly swollen through pregnancy. To avoid embarrassing moments on your wedding day, fit the rings a couple of days before your big day.

10. WHAT BRIDAL ACCESSORIES SHOULD YOU CHOOSE?

Always keep it simple and make comfort your priority. There is no need to go overboard with heavy jewelry for pregnant brides. The lighter you are on your wedding day, the easier it will be for you to keep standing and smiling all day.

Don't forget to get the right shoes. Since many future moms suffer from foot swelling it's essential to take that into consideration when shoe shopping. Choose a stylish, yet comfortable shoe that has a lot of support and minimal heel height.

Final Remarks

Remember, it's essential to try on different styles and consult with bridal consultants or designers who have experience with dressing pregnant brides. At Sister Bridal we’ve been dressing brides of different preference for 21 years. Thus, we got the experience to dress you for your wedding day.

We will help you with expert guidance and make necessary alterations to ensure you feel confident and beautiful on your special day. To get started, please book a fitting appointment to try on the perfect wedding dress for pregnant brides.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the best style of wedding dress for a pregnant woman?

An empire waist gown is one of the best wedding dresses for pregnant brides you may consider. It will give your growing baby bump ample room and comfort on your big day.

2. How to choose a maternity wedding dress?

While choose a wedding dress for pregnant brides, we recommend you select materials that will give you room to grow without constricting your bump. Such wedding gown fabrics must be stretchy to accommodate your growing bump.

3. How can I hide my pregnancy belly in my wedding dress?

Another trick which you can try is always to keep your flower bouquet cleverly placed across your tummy on your wedding day. That will help you to conceal your pregnancy belly on your wedding day.

4. What should I wear to my wedding at 7 months pregnant?

It's important to prioritize both comfort and style. So if you are 7 months pregnant, you can choose a Maternity Wedding Dress with Stretchy Fabrics.

5. Can a pregnant bride wear white wedding dresses?

Yes. Why not? While white is the traditional color for wedding gowns, there is no hard and fast rule that dictates that brides must wear white. Many brides nowadays choose to wear gowns in different colors, such as ivory, blush, or even bold and vibrant hues, to reflect their personal style and preferences.