Flattering gowns for full-figured brides

Today’s full-figured bride is beautiful, glamorous and sexy. So on her special day her wedding gown should reflect her fashionista spirit and confidence. Full-figured brides rejoice! Not only will the right bridal boutique offer a gorgeous array of dresses to choose from, but with some helpful tips, you can be the most bodacious bride to walk down the aisle.

• Research your bridal boutique — Save time and stress by doing some pre-shop planning. Call bridal boutiques ahead of time to ask what sizes and silhouettes they carry. “All brides want to see how they will look in wedding dresses, so we carry gowns specifically designed for the full-figured bride,” says Ramona Gonzalez of Casa Gonzalez Bridal Boutique in Lodi.

• Shapely silhouettes and fabrics — To achieve an hourglass look, opt for dropped waists, corset bodices, A-line or ballgown skirts. Avoid straight or hip-hugging designs. For those wanting to hide the mid-section, a halter or sweetheart neckline (for medium to large chests) will bring the eye up, while an empire waist (for small chests) with a split down the front provides tummy control. Stay away from soft fabrics like chiffon, thin satin and silk georgettes because they cling and show every detail. Also, avoid shiny satins and silks as they will reflect light off bulges and bends. Stick to matte satin, silk, organza and even high-quality netting fabrics.

• Plus-size designers and extra fees — Most dresses are available in larger sizes, but it could cost you from $40 to $150 and up to order your special size. Look for boutiques that offer gowns specifically designed for the full-figured bride. Most of these designers do not charge additional fees, since plus-size is their specialty. “Gowns can be ordered in just about any size, but designers that only produce plus-size gowns really understand and appreciate a woman’s body and a bride’s need to look her best,” Gonzalez said.

• Skin is in — One of the biggest mistakes many voluptuous brides make is to cover up their arms, chest, etc. Show off your curves in a beautiful strapless, halter or portrait neckline dress. These necklines frame and flatter bringing the eye upward to your glowing eyes and face. If you love the look of strapless or halter, but still want coverage, consider a bolero or shawl. Gonzalez suggests: “Try a sheer bolero. It gives the comfort of coverage with the illusion of skin.”

• Insider’s secret — Move over Victoria! Here’s the real secret to a plus-size glamour girl. Proper fitting bras and undergarments will transform any bride’s body into picture perfect. First buy your gown, then buy your lingerie. A professional measurement will determine your accurate bra size. A quality bra will give you great lift, real support, natural cleavage, and most importantly, superior comfort (you don’t want to fight with your bra during your ceremony). A minimizer will downplay your chest.

Glamorous full-figured brides need not sacrifice style for substance. Voluptuous brides can achieve a balance between their curvaceous figure and favorite design. A bride’s wedding gown will reflect a bride’s inner and outer beauty, leaving the bride radiating confidence.

Sandra Gonzalez is co-owner of Casa Gonzalez Bridal Boutique in Lodi (cgbridal.com) and hosts wine and food radio shows in Napa Valley and San Francisco Bay Area.

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