While there are no wedding bells in my foreseeable future, I have a small confession:
I love looking at plus size wedding dresses and I have a (healthy) obsession with white dresses.
Here’s why.
When I got married to my husband in 2010, I walked down the aisle in a beautiful, ivory, chiffon, halter style dress. It was simple, chic, well-fitting — appropriate for our summer wedding at a West Hollywood restaurant. When I tried it on, I felt like a bride and knew right away that it was the dress for me.
My only problem was that throughout my year of engagement, my search for the perfect dress rarely gave me many options to work with. My real only option at the time was David’s Bridal. And not that there’s anything wrong with David’s Bridal. I applaud their years of offering plus size options for brides and their wedding party, I just wanted something more.
I wanted options.
Late night Google searches of plus size wedding dresses gave me little to look at. I’d head to bed feeling defeated and unworthy of being the stunning bride that I envisioned.
You see, I have worked in the fashion industry for 14 years, specifically the plus size fashion industry. I have been on the front lines during industry changes. I know the ins and outs of brand development. The plus size community is part of the fiber of my being.
Fashion and style is something that I take seriously and I wear my credentials like a badge of honor. I knew that the perfect dress (for me) could be out there — it just wasn’t and I assume that many brides in my era can relate.
Today’s brides have options and if you’re reading this right now and searching for your perfect plus size wedding dress, just know that I am thrilled for you… but also slightly jealous.
In honor of my upcoming 11 year wedding anniversary, here are 11 dresses that I love and would have loved to wear to my wedding:
11 Plus Size Wedding Dresses I Would Wear Today
This is the absolute dress of my dreams. It has all of the features that I would type into the search bar late at night. It’s the perfect dress for a late summer evening at a vineyard. Just add a bouquet of dahlias, and you’ve achieved bridal perfection.
I love a classic dress, and this really checks off all of the boxes for a bride who appreciates clean lines and curve-hugging silhouettes. I can see this dress being worn in a church or synagogue and then ready to party under the stars.
Who says that dresses need to be traditional? With the year we had in 2020, we’ve definitely learned how to pivot and be flexible. I’d wear this dress at an intimate wedding in a family’s backyard and dance all night to a friend’s classic rock cover band.
I love that designers are extending their size ranges and with sustainability being important to many brides, I appreciate this dress for just that. I would have worn this dress to a wedding at a local museum where we’d have a family style feast of farm to table food, surrounded by twinkle lights.
Dresses are no longer a requirement to make a lasting impression at your wedding and there is nothing quite like a one and done jumpsuit to make a chic statement. I’d wear this to a city wedding at one of my favorite restaurants in the fall.
A hippie chick at heart and a lover of indie designers, I lust after a good ethereal lace moment. I’d be wearing this dress at a Joshua Tree ranch wedding under the stars, feasting on birria tacos and margaritas.
I have never been one for princess fairy tales but something about this dress makes me dream of having that moment. I’d wear this with a crystal tiara and cover the venue in fragrant peonies.
Wedding dresses do not have to be over the top. Sometimes a simple, white dress is the perfect statement. I’d wear this dress to the beach, barefoot with little to no accessories and then party around a bonfire with s’mores.
Why stay local for your wedding when you can say, “I do,” on vacation? Just add a simple sandal and a delicate bouquet of sweet smelling gardenias, and you’re a dream destination bride.
Keep it simple! Your guests will not remember much about your wedding but they will remember the vibe — that’s it. I’d wear this beautiful dress to a botanical garden wedding and make sure to have an abundance of Pinterest worthy charcuterie boards for my guests to graze on and a band that gets everyone dancing.
Again, it’s time to break bridal traditions and wear what makes you feel beautiful. A chic and elevated jumpsuit is a great option for the unconventional bride. I’d wear this to a wedding at an art gallery with guests dining on comfort food from a local food truck before heading off on a honeymoon adventure.
Whatever your style, you have options to curate and create the wedding of your dreams and be the bride you’ve dreamed of being. Don’t be afraid to step out of the box and wear something with fabric and textures that you may not have thought of.
Gone are the days where your curves are limited to a small handful of silhouettes so have fun, take your time, and breathe.
You’re going to be a beautiful bride.
