Congratulations on your engagement! Starting the journey to find the perfect wedding dress is exciting. While embracing your body and feeling confident in your skin is important, it’s also normal to feel nervous about your first bridal salon experience. You may be wondering if salons in your town will have dresses in your size. What if the consultant doesn’t understand your needs? It can make finding the dress of your dreams feel impossible. That’s where Dia & Co can help! We polled 500+ customers and team members to gather pearls of wisdom from the women who know best. We hope this guide helps ease your worries and makes your experience as smooth as possible. Let’s dig into our top five tips for surviving your first plus-size bridal salon appointment.

Tip 1: Do Your Research

Over 68% of the women we polled said their biggest challenge in finding the perfect plus-size wedding dress was finding stylish options in their size. So, researching before you visit any plus-size bridal salon will be critical. Look for salons that specifically cater to curvy brides or have a wide range of available sizes and styles. Reading reviews from other plus-size brides can also help you find a salon that will make you feel comfortable and confident. Save time and energy by checking out our directory of plus-size bridal salons across the U.S.

Tip 2: Know Your Style

Walking into a plus-size bridal salon without an idea of your preferred styles is a recipe for a long and exhausting appointment. It’s a good idea to pick out some general silhouettes that you like and feel really accommodate your shape and accentuate your best features as a starting point. For example, you might be a curvy, pear-shaped bride who loves a fitted mermaid silhouette or an apple-shaped bride in search of the perfect ball gown. Regardless of your figure or preferences, being armed with some styles you like is the way to go. Unsure where to start? Read this blog post on finding the perfect wedding dress for your body type.

Tip 3: Keep an Open Mind  

Once you have an idea of the styles you’re most interested in, don’t be afraid to try on as many dresses as you can. Forty percent of the brides we polled reported trying on five or more dresses before finding their dream dress. The chances of the first style you try on being the one are slim, but stay optimistic and open-minded. Even if you have to visit more than one bridal salon, it will all be worth it when you look phenomenal in a dress you really love. Customers commented , “Try on EVERYTHING, you might surprise yourself.” and “Don’t get discouraged, the perfect gown is out there for you.”—sage advice. If there was ever a time not to settle, this is it. 

Tip 4: Be Prepared 

Remember, bridal boutiques typically only carry floor samples for brides to try on. It’s important to be prepared for this and not let it discourage you. You may not have the opportunity to try on dresses in your exact size, that’s why going to a plus-size bridal boutique is so important. These specialized boutiques will have a selection of plus-size bridal gowns in a plus sample size, 18/20, giving you a better idea of how the dress will fit your body. Once you’ve found the dress, ask for a fitting consultation to get an idea of what alterations can be done to make your dress fit like a glove.

Bring shoes in your desired heel height and shapewear undergarments to the appointment to get a better idea of how styles may fit. Last but not least, as quoted from our customers “Bring only supportive people” to experince the process with you.

Tip 5: Enjoy It 

Have a good time! This is your movie montage moment, its all about you. Eat the snacks, drink the champagne, and enjoy. Remember, your wedding day is about celebrating your love and commitment to your partner. With the right resources, you can find a plus-size wedding dress that makes you feel confident and beautiful.

We hope you find the dress of your dreams! Check out dia.com for inspiration. Share your wedding photos with us on IG @diaandco at #mydiastyle; we can’t wait to see them.

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