How to have a wedding with a heavy bridesmaid?

Question

I'm having a themed wedding, retro/goth inspired. Think 1950s in dark colors (any negative comments about my choice of wedding or lifestyle will be reported and subsequently removed)

My problem is this. I love my sister to the end of the fricking world, that's why I chose her from among other sisters and close friends as my bridesmaid. The wedding is in September 09, she just had a baby, and she's always been a bigger girl. She's also got a larger build (wide shoulders, the like) What kind of outfit could I put on her that would keep in with the theme and not make her feel like she looks ridiculous? I want to help her feel as beautiful as she is. I don't want to design a dress she'll hate, but I also don't want to redesign one of the most important days of my life around someone else's body image. Any ideas for a happy medium?

Answer 1

A corsetted type dress is perfect for women with a fuller figure.  Also, make sure it has sleeves or a shawl to cover the upper arms.

The v-shaped waist line gives the impression of a smaller waist and a longer torso.  As long as the skirt is A-line to smooth out the bumps around the hips and butt she'll look divine!

Dark colours are naturally slimming - perhaps with a deep blood red V-shaped embroidery along the front of the corset.  Again, this will draw the eye to the smallest point which creates the impression of a slimmer waist, while giving a s**y curve look!!!

I tried to find a picture to show you, but couldn't find one...

Hope that helps and that I described it well enough for you!

Good luck :)

Answer 2

You could do a simple, spaghetti strapped empire waist dress in black/red, and add a oriental/retro-inspired capelet.

Any discrepancies between the theme and the outfits could be covered by shoe choice, hair styles, jewelry, etc.

Answer 3

i think i'm doing great to hem or replace buttons so i have no pattern advice. i don't think the brides maids have to match , do they?  and aren't darker colors slimming?

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!...

Answer 4

dress your bridesmaids in dresses that match their individual figures, don't dress them all in the same thing. =]

Answer 5

Send her a list or pictures of types of outfits you think would be appropriate and in what colors. Then she can go try them on, take pics on her phone and then you two can decide together. If there is one that makes her feel good about herself that is the one.

Answer 6

Black is always slimming!!  Can't go wrong there!!  Actually having chosen 1950's and dark colors is perfect for this situation!!

Shawls/wraps were a very big thing in the 50's.  They are definitely good for hiding problem areas and can be removed later when everyone is just kicking back and having fun.  If one is wearing a shawl, have everyone wear one.  You don't want your sister to be made to feel like she is having to cover up.  Many dress companies sell matching shawls/wraps with the dresses and they look VERY tasteful.

A thick halter top dress might be a good idea as well.  Choose one with lots of material leading into the halter area so that more of the chest is covered as opposed to the skimpy little halters that show just as much of the chest as a strapless dress.

Keep in mind that if she just had a baby, she might lose some of the weight.  I'm not sure what kind of shape you are in but maybe it would be fun for the two of you to work out together.  It is allllways better to work out with someone (not as boring and you don't have to feel silly trying out the new machines lol).  That way you can bond and get healthy and fit together.  I'm also not sure if this is a sensitive subject for her but she might be very welcome to the offer if she hasn't had a workout buddy before.

Best of luck to you with your wedding!!!  I'm sure you will both be beautiful ladies!! :)

[edit]

Finally found the name of this particular style; a great option would be an illusion neckline (http://weddings.pirate-king.com/images/i...  It has the look of a strapless derss, but the tulle helps cover up the chest and back as well.  I've seen ALOT of dresses lately with this look.

Answer 7

tell her the theme and go with her to look.  Let her find what will look best on her.

Answer 8

I agree with the idea of doing something black and then making it fit the theme using jewelry, shoes, hair and other accents or something. Something like this maybe.

Answer 9

Definitely keep her in the wedding!

I'm a conjoined twin and when my cousin got married 2 weeks ago, we were bridesmaids! We live far away so picking out our outfits were stressful and stuff, but worth it!

Try designing all the bridesmaids dresses into the same style, so tey weill all be costum made and stuff!

Answer 10

Luckily, with your theme size should be less of a problem.  Many styles from the 50's and many goth styles work well with larger women.  If you are leaning more goth, I would say go with a corset style top.... but if you are going more 1950's then I would say something two piece, because often times women aren't perfectly proportioned for dresses.

Answer 11

HI, I am a plus size person, and I think first of all that is a bad a@@ idea for a wedding theme, second my husband and I were married last year, and I agree with the girl about how good we can look. Since your her sister she has more than likely spoken to you about her areas that bother her most, try to get away from that and you will be fine. I wore a strapless gown with a corset, and not to toot my own horn but I looked smashing! My best friend got married last month and I was in her wedding, I wore my corset again, and had a v neckline, and this worked fine too, she is a big gal and wore a similar dress to mine, and by the way she was in my wedding and all looked well there too. Just listen to her needs and she will understand, we plus size women know were plus sized so as long as its not dwelt on you should be able to be open, start out by saying something like... What would you be most comfortable wearing in my wedding? I am just wondering because all the girls get to were what they want (or whatever) and I just wanted your ideas on what would look cute. This lets her know that your ok with her and her body, and gives her the option to tell you if she is uncomfortable wearing something. Also check out hipsandcurves.com they are really well priced and cute stuff too., for under the dress.

Answer 12

go to a wedding shop and ask for them for suggestions

also heavy people wear everything now and actually can look really fantastic

I do not consider myself heavy, I have just seen this in the past few yrs as a more people are becoming heavy

also look at some dress sights for heavier women on the internet - I don't think u will have to adjust anything it is just that she is your sister and this type of planning is stressful and u r too close to the issue

enjoy -- it will all be very beautiful to see

Answer 13

If your theme is Retro/Goth, try putting all of your bridesmaids in saris;

http://z.about.com/d/hinduism/1/5/q/F/sa...

There are many ways of wearing them, they work with EVERY body type, and anyone weaaring one looks like a princess!;

http://www.rani-mukharji.com/wordpress/w...

Yours could be a modernized wedding dress version;

http://nwn.blogs.com/photos/uncategorize...

Answer 14

Black looks good on anyone something plain and simple like Ashlee Simspons wedding!

Her wedding had a gothic theme to it Kinda of!

Make sure the dress is simple just in case she might be tryin to loose weight for your wedding,who knows! IF the dress is simple it can be alter!

One girl bridesmaids were dressed in black with a Red ribbon around it !

Answer 15

Well - do you have any ideas about the gown? Color? Do you want it long? Short? Sleeves? Strapless?

When you say 1950's it can mean a lot of different styles.

Here are a few styles that I think would look nice on her body type, but I'm not sure if this is exactly what you are looking for:

http://www.edenbridals.com/7189-p-1149.h...

http://www.morilee.com/DressDetail.aspx?...

http://www.jordanfashions.com/products.a...

http://www.jasminebridal.com/html/en/web...

http://www.jasminebridal.com/html/en/web...

http://www.alfredangelo.com/Collections/...

http://www.alfredangelo.com/Collections/...

http://www.landadesigns.com/bmz_cache/5/...

Don't worry - there are tons of dresses out there. I am sure you will find something flattering for her. Also, you should look at separates - it might be easier to get the look that you like with a two piece dress.

Good luck!

Answer 16

I am a big shouldered, stocky chick.  Here are some things that work for me.

Design a dress with dolman or raglan sleeve -- great styles for us gals with big shoulders.  These were pretty common sleeve styles in the 50s, so you should be able to find a dress pattern that works.   Avoid a cap sleeve that ends above the bicep -makes wide shoulders and heavy arms look AWFUL.  

I look surprisingly good in a strapless dress with a sweetheart neckline (as opposed to one that runs straight across my chest).  This is also a very 50s look that you should be able to replicate.

If you're willing to go really goth, a ball gown with a basque waste and lots of boning and corset ties will give her a fab hourglass figure.

Have you seen this site?  They have frickin' awesome 50s dresses, and they go up to plus sizes.  I've never bought from them, but their designs are great.  http://www.daddyos.com/retro/retroldy.ht...

Answer 17

I think if you love your sister more than the freaking world you should not be on YA telling people what you think of her body.

HAVING SAID THAT -- you are going for kind of rockabilly right? Sort of? 1950s dark colors.  I am also a bigger girl 6-1 wear size 18 (maybe 22 in bridesmaid dress LOL) and I am going to link to some dresses that would fit in. I am an ex-punker girl and ended up having dark teal for my August 92 wedding. But had the bridesmaids (who sort of mutinied at the seamstress -- not pretty) gone with my ankle length a-line dress vision they would have been able to wear Chucks. I came d**n close.

I am guessing you don`t feel a need to be matchy matchy -- or are you saying she is your only bridesmaid?

If she is the one and only then the sky is the limit. Okay. All of these have a 50s feel to me or are at least classic enough to fit with most any decade.

http://www.sydneyscloset.com/asp/product...

http://www.sydneyscloset.com/asp/product...

http://www.sydneyscloset.com/asp/product...

http://www.sydneyscloset.com/asp/product...

This one is not as much 50s but might be a very flattering cut

http://www.sydneyscloset.com/asp/product...

Finally one with a plus size model

http://www.sydneyscloset.com/asp/product...

This one I think is very classic and mod-50s and if she is worried about back fat she could wear a sheer wrap with it or if she gets kind of a masque treatment then moisturizer for smooth supple skin I think it would look AMAZING on a big girl

http://www.sydneyscloset.com/asp/product...

Ditto...

http://www.sydneyscloset.com/asp/product...

My MOM wore a dress EXACTLY like this to her southern prom 1958

http://www.sydneyscloset.com/asp/product...

I think the wrap on this one  is very Audrey Hepburn 1961

http://www.sydneyscloset.com/asp/product...

Same  here -- yowza

http://www.sydneyscloset.com/asp/product...

http://www.sydneyscloset.com/asp/product...

Does this model look like your sister because I think she is an example of a big girl who looks outstanding.

http://www.sydneyscloset.com/asp/product...