The thought of dress shopping as a curvy bride can be intimidating. Even walking into a bridal shop can evoke anxiety and nervousness. What styles will look best on me? Will the shop have samples in my size? Can I even find the perfect dress?

As a recent bride (my husband and I will be celebrating our 5th anniversary! Yay!) and bridal fashion expert, I can say with confidence that there is light at the end of the tunnel, that will lead you the “say yes to the dress moment” you’ve always dreamed about.

In this post, I’ll be sharing my top tips for shopping for your plus size wedding dress.

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Don’t wait until the last minute. Start shopping at least six months ahead of your big day. You’ll want plenty of time for ordering and alterations. Also, early shopping will save you the headache of having to settle for a short production dress or being rushed to order.

Work with a shop that will treat you right. At Elite Secrets Bridal, we roll out the red carpet, so you have a stellar experience with knowledgeable experts. We love all our brides but pride ourselves on offering gorgeous options for curvy brides. No rude treatment or limited options at ESB!

Plan for your appointment. This is one of the best shopping experiences ever, so take it seriously. Get a good night’s rest before your date. Avoid alcohol and salty foods, too. Most importantly, silence your inner critic and come with a great attitude. Feeling good on the inside will almost guarantee looking good on the outside.

Choose your tribe wisely. Good vibes and positive tribes can take your dress shopping experience to a whole other level. Invite folks that get you and want the best for you. After all, this is the most fun part of the wedding planning process, and a Debbie Downer can ruin everything.

Hire a good seamstress. A great seamstress is your best friend. And, you’re in luck because we have an Ah-mazing seamstress on-site. If your dream dress needs straps or bra cups to help enhance your look, we’ve got you covered. Invest in this worthy service. You won’t regret it.

Have fun! If you take one thing away from this post, having fun should be it! If you aren’t having fun doing this, then you are doing it all wrong. Grab your tribe and live it up! Did I mention we have complimentary champagne for you and your tribe?

If this post has you fired up to say yes to your dress, go ahead and book your appointment with us now. We can’t wait to serve you.