The right wedding gown is a comfortable wedding gown. Any bride who hopes to squeeze into a dress surely will be disappointed if she doesn’t meet her goals by the time she ties the knot. Don’t fall for it! Be happy with who you are.
A Valley bride asks: “I’m absolutely, positively committed to losing weight before my wedding. I’m ready to shop for my gown and, although I’m a size 14, I’d like to try on size 10 dresses. My best friend says I’m making a mistake and shouldn’t try on anything smaller than I am now. What do you think?”
Dear Valley bride: Your friend is a true friend, because she’s willing to be honest with you! Although I admire your determination, under no circumstances should you buy a gown based on a size that you intend to be on your wedding day. (Any reputable bridal salon owner will tell you this.) When it was time for my daughter to order her own gown, she consulted Gladys Portalatin of the Bridal Cottage in Kingston with a similar query. Portalatin assured her that it’s rarely a problem to reduce the size of a dress — and she advised strongly against ordering one in a “projected” size.
Keep in mind that it’s much easier to take in a large size than to enlarge a small one. My advice? Try on dresses in your current size — the seamstress will make whatever alterations necessary in later fittings.
Remember, this is your special day. If you’re able to reach your weight goals, good for you! You can always make dress adjustments later. In the end, it’s your happiness and health that matters most. So take the pressure off of your future self, be comfortable in your own skin — and have a beautiful wedding day.
To submit your own question to the Wedding Guru, email Judy at judy@hvmag.com.
