Can I Lose Weight After Buying My Wedding Dress? What Brides Need to Know

 Can I Lose Weight After I Buy My Wedding Dress?

At Love Spell, many of our brides-to-be ask us, “Can I lose weight after buying my wedding dress?”. This common question is often presented to our stylists the moment a new bride steps into our showroom, and the honest answer is: yes, you absolutely can. That being said, choosing the correct size when placing your order is essential in ensuring that your gown fits you beautifully on your wedding day.

That’s why, whether you’re aiming to lose a little weight, maintain your current shape, or planning any other lifestyle changes before your big day, understanding wedding dress sizing and alterations is imperative. This will help you make the most informed decision with confidence. That’s why at Love Spell we’ve created this short guide to help you with any burning questions.

Losing Weight After Buying a Wedding Dress: What You Should Know…

It’s not uncommon for brides to choose to lose a little weight after buying their wedding dress, and this is completely normal. Sometimes brides also lose weight unintentionally during the busy wedding period. Other brides also plan to gain a little weight. The point is, it all depends on the bride and her personal journey. 
However, when it comes to bridal gowns, no matter your size or your plan, ordering too small is always risky. If your body doesn’t change in the way you expect it to, a dress that’s too tight can’t always be let out in the way you would like, – this especially applies to detailed or lace designs, (which are more complex to adjust). So what’s the answer?

Here’s what we recommend at Love Spell:

Yes, you can choose to lose weight after buying your wedding dress, but it’s best to let us know in advance / at your appointment, so we can order the most appropriate size for you.

Letting your bridal stylist know your plans allows them to take into account:

• Your current measurements
• Your wedding timeline
• Your personal weight-loss or fitness goals
• The structure and fabric of your chosen gown

Should I Order My Current Size, or a Smaller Size?

If you’re wondering what size wedding dress to order, especially if you’re planning to lose weight, the safest option is almost always to order your current size, not a smaller size.  This is because when wedding dresses are ordered in your size or bigger (rather than smaller), they can almost always be taken in during your alterations.
On the other hand, if you order a smaller wedding dress than your current dress size, the dress can’t always be let-out (to fit) if the dress is too small. Taking in a gown is far more preferable, as it allows your seamstress to tailor the gown perfectly to your body, once your weight and shape have settled closer to the wedding.

Therefore, our advice would be to:

• Order your current size
• Lose weight comfortably and safely
• Have the dress tailored to fit you perfectly at alterations stage

We created this approach to remove any unnecessary pressure, and help to keep your options open when it comes to those important final adjustments.

What If I Plan to Gain Weight?

Similarly, if you’re planning to gain any weight (or muscle mass), you may choose to order a slightly larger size. This is understandable, and also common. Just keep in mind that:

If you do not end up gaining any weight, the dress will need to be taken in at alterations. Nonetheless, this is always much easier than letting a dress out.

Again, this is where our expert bridal advice is invaluable, rest assured, our styling experts will guide you through the process. At Love Spell, we truly understand that every single bride’s journey is unique, so we will always take the time to listen to your goals, and plan accordingly to achieve your desired outcome with your wedding dress. 

Why Alterations Matter When Losing Weight:

Wedding dress alterations, and their timeline, are especially significant if you do plan to lose (or gain) any weight. Alterations are designed to fine-tune the fit of your gown closer to your wedding day. This is especially important if you’re planning on losing weight after buying your wedding dress, as your body may change in unexpected ways.

At Love Spell Design, our stylists guide you through:

• How much weight change your chosen gown can realistically accommodate(according to the seam allowance and design of the gown).

• When to schedule your fittings

• Which styles are more forgiving or adjustable (for example, A-line dresses move a lot more freely than fitted, mermaid gowns).

We can ensure that our stylists will guide you thoroughly throughout the process, to ensure that you feel supported and relaxed during your overall wedding dress shopping experience.

Why Our Expert Guidance Makes All the Difference:

At Love Spell, it’s part of our ethos to make sure that your wedding dress makes you feel confident, and not anxious about numbers on a scale. This is why our expert stylists will help you choose the correct size based on: your measurements, your goals, your wedding date, and the structure of your dress. We truly understand that all of these factors are important when it comes to making sure your wedding dress turns out exactly as you wished.  

So, whether you’re planning to lose weight, maintaining your weight, or planning any kind of lifestyle change, you can feel reassured that your gown will fit beautifully on the day that matters most. Just remember to always communicate with your stylist, so that they understand your goals all the way through and can help you achieve your bridal dreams.