So you’re pregnant

Expecting? ‐ don’t worry. You can still find the perfect wedding dress

Showing it off!

Wearing a badge declaring, “I’m not fat, I’m pregnant”, as one recent pregnant bride did, may not appeal to everyone, but if you want to show off your bump, it may be worth talking over a style with an individual designer. Stretchy, jersey‐type material is already proving popular with some American brides and mums‐to‐be.

Many women who find they are pregnant after planning their wedding opt to postpone it until after the baby is born. But, as most mothers will testify, looking after a small baby is a lot more tiring than being pregnant – really! So think carefully before you decide and make sure you have people on hand to help you with the baby if necessary.

Many women opt to wait for the wedding until the baby is a little older and has stopped breastfeeding. Also, unless you’re Posh Spice, you won’t have a washboard stomach a few months after giving birth, so if you’re thinking of getting married after you’ve just had a baby it’s wise to avoid any tummy‐hugging styles unless you want to spend an awfully long time in the gym beforehand.

Great expectations

One Londonwedding dress store recently estimated that up to 20 per cent of its customers were expecting, while proud pregnancy has never been bigger on the star circuit with celebrities from Angelina Jolie to Jordan showing off their fecund tummies with pride.

That doesn’t mean that the idea of doing the big day with a bump isn’t daunting for brides, especially when it comes to choosing a dress. The social stigma may be all but gone, but pregnancy chic hasn’t quite penetrated the wedding arena, leaving many brides‐to‐be in fear they won’t be able to find anything to flatter their burgeoning figures. However, although they may not overly advertise the fact, wedding dress suppliers do stress that they will try to ensure that the pregnant bride won’t miss out on the dress of her dreams…

Major wedding outfitter Berkertex Brides says that they frequently provide dresses for pregnant brides‐to‐be and have a range of suitable styles. Made‐to‐measure designers say they have fewer pregnant customers – many of their clients apparently prefer to wait until after the baby is born – but most will be only too happy to rise to the challenge of creating a dress to flatter an expectant bride.

The choice is yours

When it comes to the dress, bump doesn’t have to equal frump. On the other hand, any pregnant bride has to take certain things into account. The big day is a long day and, if you’re expecting or if you’ve just had a baby, you’re bound to get tired more easily than usual. That means that comfort has to be paramount when choosing what to wear. Don’t try to force yourself into a corset – you’ll faint. And be honest with the person who is providing the dress. If you’re pregnant, tell them – even if you don’t want anyone else to know.

Dresses have to accommodate your changing shape too. Look for a dress supplier who will carry out alterations as close to the wedding as possible, and who’s prepared to be flexible.

Designer Emma Hunt is currently adding sleeves to the dress of a customer who has discovered she is pregnant and thinks a sleeveless number is a bit much. “Try to find a designer who will make the dress individually and leave the alterations as late as possible,” she says. “Changing bust size will affect pregnant brides‐to‐be and breastfeeding mothers,” adds designer Elisabeth Mirella. She also underlines the importance for all women of wearing the same bra to fittings that they are going to wear on the big day.

Flatter your bump

Of course style need not be sacrificed for the sake of comfort, but for most pregnant women clinched waists, very tight‐fitting dresses and the currently fashionable tight, laced bodices will be out. Instead, why not show off your new curves with a focus on the shoulders and bust?

Empire line, princess line or a‐line dresses are perfect styles for pregnant brides – the dress flares from under the bust, although the empire line has a straighter skirt. You could also add a chiffon overdress to complete the outfit, or plump for a medieval‐style dress with long, flowing sleeves.