Plus Size Brides: Here is the best tips for when you start shopping

Dear Plus-Size Brides,

You've got the love of your life, the ring, and now it's time for the dress. For some, this is the exciting part; for others, it’s a little daunting. I get it—I've heard the same questions over and over from plus-size brides in the fitting room:

"Do you have many options for me?"
"This is my size—what do you have in that?"
"Will anything hide my *insert insecurity*?

Deep breath. Let’s start with the good news—wedding dresses now come in an incredible range of sizes, styles, and colors. But I know the anxiety is real, so let’s talk about how to make dress shopping an empowering, stress-free experience.

Do Your Homework Before Your Appointment

Call ahead and ask the right questions. Some bridal boutiques specialize in plus-size gowns, while others may have a more limited selection. And trust me, it’s not about judgment—it’s just business. Bridal stores stock sample sizes based on demand. If they rarely sell dresses above a certain size, they may not keep many options in-store. It’s all about what their clientele is looking for.

I’ve worked in both types of stores: one with an amazing plus-size selection that became the go-to shop for curvy brides, and another that had far fewer options. And you know what? At the second store, our smaller selection still worked—even though our number of plus size brides were fewer, our selection was carefully curated where we had something for everyone.

So, the key is finding your store. The one that gets you. The one that makes you feel like a queen, no matter your size. They’re out there—you just have to know where to look.

The proper bridal salon will ask your size ahead of your appointment and have the correct samples already pulled for you. This is what you want out of your experience. Keep your standards high for your appointment, they should be well versed in assisting you.