When Matrimony Meets Maternity

By Lauren Hill

Shopping for a bridesmaid dress can be stressful when you’re not expecting.

When matrimony meets maternity?

Panic is pretty much guaranteed to set in.

Before images of ill-fitting taffeta monstrosities dance through your brain, breathe a sigh of relief. Several bridal designers have come to the rescue with beautiful bump-friendly options ideal for any stage of pregnancy.

With a little guidance from Erin Casey Wolf, co-owner of Bella Bridesmaids and an expert on bridal maternity wear (she rocked Amsale while 8 ½ months pregnant), you can waddle down the aisle in style by paying attention to these four things:

Style: A flowy silhouette and fabric drapes beautifully over a baby belly. Look for an empire waist with a forgiving skirt, especially if you’ll be 6+ months pregnant or just recently delivered.

Sizing: Remember that you can always take a dress in, but it’s stressful and more expensive to let it out. Wolf suggests ordering:

–       1 to 2 sizes up if you’ll be walking down the aisle during your first trimester

–       2 to 3 sizes up during the second

–       3 to 4 sizes up (or a true maternity style) for the third trimester

Timing: Bridesmaid dresses that are made to order take about 12 to 18 weeks. Ordering early and being generous with the size affords you time and room to alter the dress appropriately.

Accessories: To balance out your growing bump, pair the bride’s gown of choice with a chunky statement necklace.

Now that that’s settled, you can turn your focus to more important things…like what you’ll wear to the bachelorette party.

Source: 9Bliss