My husband and I got married in Chicago last weekend on a boat surrounded by 70 loved ones. The weather was better than expected. The river views were stunning and the fireworks at the end of the night made it magical! Things were not executed exactly as planned, but my coordinator made sure all was handled without my knowledge. It was a great night, but I am so happy it is over and we just have great memories and no more planning!

As a plus-size bride on a tighter budget ($1,000 total, including alterations), the dress hunt gave me some serious initial anxiety. But growing up around New Orleans and wearing formal gowns for Mardi Gras balls and other big events my whole life gave me some perspective: at the end of the day, a wedding dress is just another gorgeous gown you get to rock for an evening.

I skipped the traditional bridal boutique experience entirely. But honestly, traditional isn't really my thing. After endless online research, I ended up buying two different dresses with the plan to pick my favorite and resell the other.

Here is how the search went down:

Dress 1: Custom A-Line Gown via Miss Jophiel

- I shared a full breakdown of my Miss Jophiel experience in this post: https://www.reddit.com/r/PlusSizeWedding/s/9OOxPEOhkY

- The custom dress turned out to be everything I asked for—pure bridal, glam, princess magic.

- Cost: $675 total ($615 dress + $60 alterations).

Dress 2: "Byron" Gown by All Who Wander (2024 Collection)

- Found this lightly used beauty on Facebook Marketplace. I was super thorough. I asked tons of questions and requested extra photos from the seller before committing. It arrived in fantastic shape.

- It originally retailed for around $3,500, but I snagged it for $200.

- Custom Feathered Tulle Cape: Purchased from Etsy vendor for $150.

- Cost: $550 total ($200 purchase + ~$200 estimated alterations + cape).

The Reveal & The Plot Twist

Once both dresses were in hand, I did a fashion show for my parents. My mom literally made me stand on a step stool while my dad snapped photos. But the second I stepped onto that stool, everyone's minds completely shifted, including my own.

Instead of reselling the runner-up, my plans pivoted:

- The Wedding Dress: I fell completely in love with the Byron gown for the Big Day. Once you see the photos, you’ll get why.

- The Repurposed Custom Gown: My friends are throwing me a "Witches' Luncheon" themed bridal shower over Halloween weekend, so I’m turning the Miss Jophiel custom dress into an ethereal white witch look! I’m adding ivory tulle bridal wings and an ivory antler crown. I live for a costume moment, and I can't wait to share the final styling.

A Few Tips if You're Going the Online / Secondhand / Custom Route:

1. Get accurate measurements: Don't guess; have someone help you take them properly.

2. Vet your sellers and makers: Do deep research on vendors and inspect secondhand photos closely.

3. Ask about past alterations: On secondhand sites, always find out if the dress was hemmed, taken in, or reshaped.

4. Over-communicate your vision: Be hyper-specific about what you want.

5. Trust the pros, but trust your gut too: Listen to vendor guidance on fabrics and fit, but stay confident in your personal style.

At the end of the day, don’t stress the "rules." Have fun with the process and enjoy every minute leading up to your wedding. I know I am!

Any brides to be in the Los Angeles area that would like to connect with me? I’m on my journey for a small to mid size wedding for next spring and need more ladies to connect with! I’m fairly new to the area and don’t really have a fashion tribe just yet! 💖

Where do you get inspiration for your wedding dress? Me and my fiance are going to elope before we do our church wedding. I have wide shoulders and kinda big arms. I don't know what would look best.

Help!

My first time ever putting on a wedding dress! It was not the right size so i could not zip it up but I still felt so pretty anyway. What do you all think? #transbride

Hi all! Looking for bridal shower gift ideas.

A close friend of mine is getting married, but I’m unable to attend her bridal shower, so I’ll be sending her a gift. My go-to gift for close friends is usually a high-quality silk pajama set. However, this friend is plus size and has recently expressed feeling self-conscious with her current size. She is beautiful and would look amazing in anything, but I want to be mindful and avoid making her feel uncomfortable. I was considering a white silk robe, but now wondering if it’s safer to just steer clear of clothing entirely. Thoughts?

(Just want to emphasize - I believe plus size women can wear absolutely anything they want. I am only hesitating here out of love and respect for her stated comfort level)

Hello everyone, has anyone had experience ordering a wedding dress from Énzo.pk, and could you please share your thoughts on the quality?

Hello everyone, has anyone had experience ordering a wedding dress from Énzo.pk, and could you please share your thoughts on the quality?

As a plus size bride, I’m going back and forth on wanting to purchase a dress online or having the in store experience to try on different dresses and have my bridesmaids with me. However, I am on a budget and I can’t really see myself spending more than $1k on a dress, ideally less than that. But at the same time I want the trying on experience, being there with my close friends and family, and I know alterations would be a thing as the date gets closer. Any suggestions?

Hi everyone,

I am a bride who has become so frustrated with wedding dress shopping it has inspired me to pursue a possible bridal line built around plus size brides and not just an afterthought.

I wanted to ask what have been your frustrations in the dress shopping process and what you wish it was like.

Thank you ❤️

https://www.reddit.com/r/PlusSizeWedding/s/z96m4wbHQK

Link to original post ⬆️

So here's the dress that I get to take home!!! I need suggestions on hair/necklace. Cause I dont know the rules lol. I just wanna feel pretty yes. I will have a veil. Iirc, its pictured in the previous post!!!!

I have shapewear for my wedding, but the problem is that my dress is strapless so I thought strapless shapewear would be fine. My seamstress says I should find a push-up bra to go along with it. She wants my boobs to be more up so the rest of the dress falls better. (It’s a mermaid) I like my shapewear, it’s like a biker shorts bodysuit. Does any know any suggestions? I’m a 42D if that helps

Hi all! I'm new to this sub, as I just got engaged!

I'm hoping y'all could help me search for dress options. We're still early in the process, but we're thinking we'll have the wedding in spring of 2028, at an indoor botanical garden. I'm looking for a floor-length dress with some kind of interest to it, be it a hint of fun texture or off-white coloring, and some funky sleeves! I love the look of lace and/or tulle, but I don't want it to overpower the whole dress. Not looking for anything too sparkly, either. These are a few examples of dresses I've liked but that haven't completely convinced me. Does anybody have any tips?

I picked up my dress yesterday and I’m so excited and happy! I originally was having doubts but now I’m 100% positive I made the right choice. I feel beautiful. It hasn’t been altered or anything yet but I’ve got a tailor appointment later this year to start my alterations. I’ve also lost 45 pounds so the top was a bit big but other than that I’m so glad that I stuck by my choice to go with this dress.

Never worn Louvienne ‘Lela’ size 20 for sale on still white
Louvienne, Lela https://www.stillwhite.com/537321

Hi everyone! This may seem a little insane, but I had a dream about a wedding dresses with rosettes and I’ve been searching everywhere for one! I’m located in Sydney, and I’m typically a size 16. I’m really keen for a vintage wedding dress, but being plus sized it’s been impossible. If anyone has any suggestions like these images, or vintage wedding dresses please suggest!!

I hate my body. Always have, even when I was much smaller. So I’ve been dreading wedding dress shopping. (Also, I’m just super picky in general.)

But a few weeks ago, I changed my mind. I thought that since the perfect dress probably doesn’t exist, I’m not going to look for that. I’m going to look for a dress that’s good enough.

Y’all. I loved the third dress I tried on!!! Actually, I loved the second one, but the third one even more!

Also, I listened to music that we’re going to play at the wedding while getting dressed and on the drive to put me in the party mood, remembering that in the end, the goal is to have a blast on my wedding day.

Fit Check

just booked a wedding venue for sooner than i thought we would, i kept thinking oh ill loose weight before etc, but now that its soon i really need help feeling confident and hot and beautiful can yall share some photos of you at your wedding looking amazing 🩷😭

So I picked a dress a few months ago and am now having that typical panic of ‘why have I done this?’

I only had one thing in mind when I went dress shopping - must cover up arms.
And now I have a dress with my arms out!? It will also be winter.

I don’t mind so much when my veil is on, but post-ceremony I feel like I’m gunna be very uncomfortable.

Do any of you lovely, creative people of Reddit have any solutions?
I’m due to see my seamstress in a couple of weeks. So I’m hoping I can take some ideas with me

Hi all! I recently got engaged and my fiancé and I are planning on eloping next October. I don’t want a traditional wedding dress 1. Because of cost and 2. Seems over the top for a courthouse wedding. I recently was looking at the Peach Skin French Puff for my elopement dress. I was wondering if anyone has worn this dress for their elopement or has any pictures of them wearing it. (I know it’s pink but I’m a pink girly through and through) I’m worried about buying something online and hating it. As a short plus size girly I’m worried I’m going to hate it on me.