Weddingbee Blog

hmm while i can’t totally relate to you on the big bosom dilemma, i can relate to you about finding a dress that is not strapless! i really wanted an off the shoulder dress but in the end could not find one to my liking because there was not much out there to begin with! so yeah… i went with strapless.

i really like the dress you posted! i’m not sure how easy it will be to find, but i was thinking… you could probably buy a strapless dress and have the top layer added! hmm i wish i would have thought of that before for myself. =P i was always just trying to add sleeves and couldn’t imagine it looking right… but adding an entire top section looks more do-able and really pretty!

What a beautiful dress! I agree with Smath about the possibility of the neckline being not-so-flattering. Maybe a dress with a similar neckline … one that isn’t so high but has the arm strapy things and goes towards the boobs to create a flattering neckline, v or sweetheart. I also think you should show off your assets!

I’ve got a big chest too - 38D to DD depending on the bra and I find that strapless dresses in the right size are actually just fine. They are flattering, dont slip down thanks to those big puppies and with the right alterations shouldn’t be tug worthy at all. Give it a shot and see how it goes. You may try David’s Bridal for a good overall every size/shape dress imaginable just to get started thinking about what may look good on you. Not the dress you may want to buy, but it’ll give you a good idea of what’s out there and what works and doesn’t with a large chest. Good luck!

I have a similar chest - not fun finding eveningwear that doesn’t make you feel like a ship in full sail. The *custom* route isn’t so painful - if you find a commercial pattern and ask around it shouldn’t cost as much as getting someone to draft the pattern from scratch. Go to Voguepatterns.com and look at numbers 2928, 2842 (using solid fabric instead of lace, or even chiffon like your pic), 2788, 2720 or 2134.
Don’t look at every detail critically. As long as there are elements that you like (the neckline, the bodice shape, the skirt shape) a good dressmaker should be able to mix and match patterns and it will not break the bank. Don’t let the industry force you to wear a dress that you didn’t have in mind just because they don’t offer any alternatives. You will have ample opportunity to discuss your ideas with your dressmaker, they should make a toile (MAKE SURE YOU ARE HONEST AND HAPPY AT THIS STAGE) and you should in fact feel much better about the whole thing than in a bridal salon, when you’re often making a decision about a dress when it is either enormous on you, or has the assistant holding it closed at thet back.
Good luck and I hope you find what you’re looking for. Contact me at the blog if you have any pattern/dressmaker questions - I’m happy to talk you through what to ask and what to look for to find just the person who fits you and your requirements.

I’m also cursed (some say blessed but little do they know!) with semi-too big hooters.

Here’s my wedding dress…I had to get it in a bigger size and then alter it…but it doesn’t make the girls look too smashed in, and the straps somewhat give a support kind of look…Good luck!

http://www.jasminebridal.com/image/style_product/283/268C.jpg

I know that dress! It’s Laundry by Shelli Seagal, and it was my friend’s bridesmaids’ dress in Summer 2003. It is beautiful, but did have that “breast loaf” effect when I tried it on (I wasn’t in the wedding party but a good friend was).

I am going the custom route, incorporating design elements of several dresses that I love into a scoop neck gown with 3/4 sleeves. I was shocked to learn that my custom dress in silk will cost less than many synthetic wedding dresses on the market. Look into it.

There’s this one.

http://www.brides.com/fashion/dresses/gallery/vendor/detail/121174?ff=Bride&f=neckline%3ABateau&max=neckline&offset=7&page=1

It has the bateau neckline for that extra support, but it’s also the sweetheart neckline that you like

I felt the same way as you when I was dress shopping - didn’t want a strapless bc I didn’t want to be pulling it up all night. It’s true that most wedding dresses are strapless.

I did end up choosing a strapless gown, however 2 things made me ok with the choice.

1: I got a lace up corset back, so I know it will be tight enough where I won’t be fidgeting with it.

2: I am still considering adding a halter or straps to the dress. That is always an option with a strapless, any good wedding seamstress should be able to do it, and it’s fairly simple. I am considering having a ribbon halter added to my strapless dress, and then making sashes for my BM’s out of the same ribbon.

Good luck!

I love that Melissa Sweet dress. I just need something big on the bottom to cover my other asset….:)

I’m well-endowed too: 38DD. I didn’t want a strapless dress either, not just because of my boobs, but also because *everyone* seems to wear one! Here’s my gown:

http://www.casablancabridal.com/Products/Detail.asp?ModelNo=1843&Cat=Fall+Collection&SubCat=

It’s not that exciting on the website–I mostly wrote it down as a possible try-on before I went dress shopping because I wanted to see what that type of beaded gown looked like on me, and that one had straps. Then, I fell in love with it. but you’d be surprised, there are a lot of V-necked gowns out there. Jasmine has a few, and they have the temple-ready program that one of the other bloggers here is doing, and apparently only costs about $85 extra. Casablanca always has a few V-necks, and some low portrait necks too, as does Jasmine and Allure, and most of the higher-end dressmakers. The one thing that surprised me–I tried on a sweetheart neck just for size and it looked *terrible* on me. I was surprised by that, and I don’t know why or if it was a function of the size of my boobs, but keep that in mind. And if you like gathered, ruched, or pickup skirts, this Casablanca has a wonderfully sexy bodice for a well-endowed bride:

http://www.casablancabridal.com/Products/Detail.asp?ModelNo=1841&Cat=Fall+Collection&SubCat=2006

Good luck!