Here Comes The {Fat} Bride: Dress Shopping

As a plus size woman, it can be difficult to find the perfect wedding gown. Especially in straight size boutiques where they only have ONE curve size option. Fortunately, the DMV area has quite a few shops that cater specifically to curvy women! Last weekend, I said “YES!” to the dress. Here are the boutiques I visited and my thoughts on each.

Cherry Blossom Bridal:

Located on the SE side of Pennsylvania Ave, Cherry Blossom Bridal is a Victorian-style house re-purposed into a bridal boutique. The women greeted me with immense kindness immediately. The ambiance was very cozy and warm with soft R&B playing in the background. My fitting took place on the upper level of the shop, which gave the experience a more intimate feel. The consultant was truly amazing. She was spot on with her picks, suggesting accessories and explaining style options when necessary. She literally and figuratively held my hand through the process. They had a wonderful selection of dresses. Everyone I encountered was pleasant. Overall, the experience was unmatched. I give them a 10 out of 5. They were THAT good!

Curvaceous Couture:

Located in Columbia, MD, Curvaceous Couture looks more like your typical bridal shop. My experience probably had a lot to do with being the last appointment for the week. I felt slightly disregarded. When I tried on one dress, the lower half wasn’t even closed. My butt was almost exposed, save for the shaper I was wearing! In this case, some corset loops were missing on the sample. At the very least, the dress should have been pinned closed for the fitting. She did not suggest accessories like Cherry Blossom did. In fact, I had to ask to see straps, even after expressing in the initial meeting that I did not want a strapless dress. The selection of dresses was great though. I’d give them a 3.5 out of 5 simply because of their dress options.

Final Thoughts

 I would highly recommend Cherry Blossom Bridal if you’re in the DC area. The atmosphere, attention to detail, and customer service was top-notch. Cherry Blossom Bridal provided an experience. Essentially, I walked into Curvaceous Couture, shopped, and found the dress myself. The customer service wasn\’t particularly impressive. It just so happened I found exactly what I was looking for. Overall, in terms of style options, both shops were fantastic. Good luck!