Wedding Dress Shopping: Set your Budget

At The Curvy Bride we love to share the stories of the beautiful brides that come through our plus size bridal shop. It is an immense honor to be able to share in such a special day for so many people. Today we are thrilled to be able to share Andrea’s story from her 2018 wedding!

Hi brides! Finding the perfect wedding dress is just the beginning of your bridal journey, and alterations are what make it truly yours. In this blog post, we will cover the most common questions brides have about alterations, so you can feel confident and stress-free as you prepare for your big day! --  What do alterations cost for bridal gowns? This answer can vary drastically based on where you live, the availability of seamstresses in your area, and where you will have your alterations done - not to mention the type of dress you have and the labor required for your gown! For our bridal shop at this particular time, typical alterations range from $650-$1,000. That generally includes your basic alterations, which is hem, bustle, minor bodice adjustments, and pressing. Customizations such as adding sleeves or straps will add to your alterations cost. Many are surprised at the price of alterations, but keep in mind that the amount of time and detailed work put into each dress by an experienced bridal seamstress more than justifies the cost. What are the different bustle types? My ballgown has a long train. The most common bustle is a Traditional/American bustle, where the outside of the train is pinned up and secured along the waistline. Some dresses are better fit for a French bustle, also known as the under bustle. This is especially true when the train is not as grand, such as in a sheath or fit & flare type of dress. Keep in mind this involves tying the train underneath the dress, which is often more time consuming. Ultimately, the seamstress will recommend the best bustle for your dress type at your fittings, and whoever will be securing your bustle should be present at your final fitting to learn and practice. What if you plan a shoe change that's different heights? It is recommended not to select shoes that are different heights, otherwise the dress will be too long or too short when you change your shoe. If you plan to change shoes to something more comfortable, our suggestion is always to select a flat/sneaker that is platform so that it's still similar in height to the heels once you change shoes. What undergarments are recommended? Most seamstresses use cups in the bust of the dresses instead of a bra. Undergarments are a personal preference and truly an individual choice. We recommend selecting something that is skin tone, breathable, and comfortable! Bonus if you can wear it again ;) Feel free to check out our blog post for suggestions from other brides: https://www.curvybrides.com/a-guide-to-shapewear-and-undergarments-for-your-wedding-day Can I add sleeves to any dress? Most often, but not always. If a dress already has a vertical strap, it's easier to add a sleeve. When it's a strapless dress, we have to build shoulders as well, which can be possible but more labor. The existing pattern and fabric of the dress will determine what types of sleeves and straps can be added. This should be discussed during your bridal shopping appointment to allow time to order the fabric that matches the dress. Can I make my dress less poofy in the skirt? When gowns have crinoline in the skirt, we can certainly remove some of the crinoline to make it less poofy. Sometimes, the structure of traditional ballgowns have pleats in the skirt, in which case it is difficult to make it less poofy. Also, taking out crinoline can sometimes make the skirt fall flat or cave between the legs, making it not ideal to remove the crinoline. The good news is that generally if you take out the crinoline and are not happy with it, it can be put back in! What if I lose a lot of weight by the time I start alterations? Can I keep losing weight while I do alterations? It is not recommended to continue losing weight after alterations begin. Dresses can typically be taken in about 2 sizes. If you plan on your measurements changing significantly, it is best to make your alterations team aware so they can potentially start alterations closer to your wedding date. Having to take the gown in multiple times could compromise the integrity of the dress and result in additional charges and labor. Can a slit be added to any dress? If there is a seam in the location of a slit, then usually this can be done. If not, it is best to consult with the seamstress to find out if it's possible based on the fabric, layers, etc. Can you turn my gown into a Christening gown after my wedding? Yes! Seamstresses can use the fabric/lace from wedding gowns to create christening or communion dresses.

We are back on the blog today doing our favorite thing, featuring our gorgeous brides! Today on the blog we are spotlighting the lovely Katie. -- Katie and Blake were married on December 9th, 2022 at The English Manor in Ocean, New Jersey. Their beautiful winter wedding was perfectly complemented by the impressive manor.

Hi Future Brides! So you’re engaged to your dream partner, you book your dream venue… what’s next?! Finding your dream dress of course! After you’ve booked your bridal appointment there can be a lot of questions that linger. The dress buying process can sometimes be overwhelming, but of course your friends at The Curvy Bride, your favorite New Jersey bridal shop, have some helpful tips to ease your anxieties. The first thing you want to do to prepare for your bridal appointment is to think about your timeframe. Getting a dress could be a long process and you want to make sure that you have enough time to get the dress of your dreams. We recommend that you schedule your appointment at least a year out from your wedding date. This gives you ample time to order a dress and have any alterations made without getting too close to the wedding date, one less thing to stress about! We also recommend that you make your appointment with the intention to find your dream dress and say yes! If you aren’t ready to purchase a dress yet, you run the risk of inventory changing or dresses being discontinued by the time you’re ready to order. We wouldn’t want you to miss out! If you’re looking for a little more detail about when to order a dress, take a look at our blog post about timeframe here: https://www.curvybrides.com/how-far-in-advance-should-i-order-my-dress It's important to set a clear budget before you come in for your appointment. It gives your stylist somewhere to start when pulling dresses, and ensures that they are only selecting gowns within your price point. We never want our brides to fall in love with a gown above the price point they are comfortable with. Don’t forget to include extras when planning your budget... things like alterations, veil, jewelry, and shoes should be taken into account as well. Something we’re sure most brides are already doing before their appointment is gathering inspiration. We suggest perusing the inventory on our website and taking a screenshot of any of the stunning plus size wedding gowns that catch your eye. Your stylist can use these as a jumping off point when pulling dresses during your appointment. Consider things like neckline, silhouette, and fabric to help you narrow your search. While we can’t guarantee that every dress you see online will be in store, it still helps you and your stylist to find other options that you might like. Even if you aren’t sure what you’re looking for, that’s okay! Your bridal appointment is the time to explore all the different options available to you and narrow down to your favorite dream dress. You may be wondering what to wear to your bridal appointment! We suggest nude undergarments, and while underwear is required for hygiene purposes, a bra and shapewear is totally up to you. If you prefer to wear a bra, we would recommend a nude strapless bra, this way it doesn’t interfere with the neckline or color of any of the dresses. Most bridal gowns have cups in them, and brides often go braless in order to get a snug fit. There is also no need to bring any special shoes. You will be standing on a pedestal in order to get the full effect of the dress. Something to remember is that comfort is key, so however you will feel the most comfortable is how you should come to your appointment. If you’re interested, we have a list of some highly recommended shapewear on our blog: https://www.curvybrides.com/a-guide-to-shapewear-and-undergarments-for-your-wedding-day The last and most important tip is to bring a stellar group of people who help you feel your best. Invite those who will support you and know you, so they can help you find the dress of your dreams in a comfortable setting. If you are in the New Jersey area you can book your bridal appointment with us and see the incredible collection of plus size bridal gowns we have in stock. Head to our scheduling page for more information. We can’t wait to meet you!

We are back again on the blog today with another bridal spotlight! Today we are featuring a very special bride named LaChell. -- When LaChell and her husband Anthoney decided to get married, they dreamed of a destination wedding with family roots, so they chose Jamaica. The plans were made, LaChell got her dress from The Curvy Bride, and they were all set to have their dream destination wedding. Unfortunately COVID happened and changed all their plans. The couple decided instead to postpone Jamaica, “With so much uncertainty and older parents, we decided to move forward getting married in 2020 to make it official, while postponing our Jamaica wedding to the following year. Within 2 months, we planned a wedding at a local restaurant and worked with nearby vendors to celebrate our love.” The couple celebrated their official wedding on September 3rd, 2020 in North Brunswick, New Jersey and one year later on October 23rd, 2021 celebrated their anniversary with a huge party in Jamaica.

You already know that we at The Curvy Bride love to spotlight the wonderful brides that come through the doors of our bridal boutique in New Jersey! Today on the blog we are featuring Kaitlyn. -- Kaitlyn and her husband Lou were married on November 10th, 2022 at The Grand Marquis located in Old Bridge, New Jersey. The outstanding venue’s backdrop was no match for this beautiful couple.

There are so many options when it comes to your wedding, one of the most important ones being where to hold your wedding! Do you do something lowkey and local, or something vibrant and exotic? The decision can be daunting, and that’s why we’re here. We had the opportunity to ask one of our lovely brides, Danielle, about her destination wedding and we are happy to share her feedback with you! -- Danielle and Michael were married on February 11, 2023 at the Half Moon Resort in Montego Bay, Jamaica. Danielle wore a stunning dress from the Allure Romance collection. This dazzling dress features a sweetheart neckline, delicate lace, and off the shoulder straps.

Hello everyone and welcome to The Curvy Bride blog! We are a bridal boutique in New Jersey specializing exclusively in plus size bridal gowns. We LOVE to showcase all of our beautiful brides here on the blog. Today we are featuring the beautiful Priscilla! -- Priscilla and her husband Jonathan were married on January 22, 2022. Priscilla wore a stunning dress from Allure Bridals. The elegant silhouette is adorned with delicate lace and a simple off-the-shoulder sleeve. The classic and romantic feel of the dress is perfectly complemented by all the captivating locations that the couple took their photos.

At The Curvy Bride we absolutely love showcasing all of the beautiful brides that come visit us at our plus size wedding boutique in New Jersey. It’s such a privilege to be able to help brides find the dress of their dreams. Today on the blog we are featuring the wonderful Leanne. -- Leanne and her husband Devin were married on November 12th, 2022 at the beautiful Rockfield Manor in Bel Air, Maryland. This incredible and sprawling landscape was the perfect backdrop for this amazing couple to start their married life.