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Pregnant and planning a wedding?
You're not alone. One London wedding dress store recently estimated that up to 20 per cent of its customers were expecting, while pregnancy has never been bigger on the star circuit with celebrities from Madonna to Catherine Zeta Jones 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: none of the major stores carry specific maternity lines, 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 say 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.
Choosing what to wear
So now you know that 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 as one customer at a leading wedding dress suppliers once did - 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 a pregnant bride's 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.
Pregnant fashion no-nos
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?
Perfect for pregnant brides are Empire line, Princess line or A-line dresses, according to designers. In all these styles, 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 you could plump for a medieval-style dress with long, flowing sleeves.
Showing off your bump
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.
Even wearing white, the traditional symbol of bridal purity is no longer a big stumbling block. 'There are no taboos about that any more,' said Lynn Diamond. But the issue is unlikely to arise because white is no longer a popular color for wedding dresses, with most brides, pregnant or not, preferring ivory, gold or even pastel colors.
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.
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