The best brands for curve wedding dresses and bridal looks

Yet, too many popular bridal brands I looked at didn’t cater to this size, meaning the majority of women in the UK are excluded from the wedding dress experience that smaller women enjoy.

More importantly, this exclusion feeds into a diet culture that encourages women getting married to obsessively shrink themselves before the so-called “big day.” There's already countless messaging that normalizes “wedding day” diets and extreme thinness culture to contend with for people looking to wear a wedding dress, and then this is reinforced even further when plus-size people find that most traditional stores barely cater to them.

Own Studio.

A survey by Hitched of 1,009 users found that 84% felt pressure to lose weight for their wedding day, and 85% had been comparing themselves to others online since becoming engaged. A significant 51% said they didn’t feel their body type was represented enough in wedding content.

It’s vital that the experience itself feels welcoming and inclusive. There were a handful of bridal stores in London that I visited, and I loved, which catered to curvy brides.

Halfpenny London carries sizes from a UK 8 to a UK 22, and as a brand is passionate about catering to curvy bodies. My personal experience was positive, with it being one of the few bridal stores where I didn't have to size up multiple times, and where the pieces felt designed with curves in mind. Even the gloves felt inclusive, and were generous in size. On their site journal, a statement reads, “At Halfpenny London, there is no curve collection because every piece is available in every size which is super exciting as it means we can offer every bride-to-be the dress of her dreams, regardless of the size label.”

Bon Bridé London offers made-to-order wedding dresses, which generally fit UK sizes 6-16, but have some styles available up to size 30 upon request. Own Studio stocked sample sizes from a UK 10 to 18, but also makes to order up to a UK 24. The bespoke option is even more tailored to you, with one-off custom looks available.

For plus-size specific stores, I have heard rave reviews from friends about Heavenly Bodies Bridal, which caters exclusively for sizes 16 to 36, Angelica Bridal, who carries samples in sizes 16 to 28+, and David’s Bridal, a store with many plus-size options. Grace Loves Lace carries limited sizes and styles available to try on in store, but do have a selection of XS to 2XL in a range of styles in all boutiques. Most of their gowns are available in sizes XS- 3XL. However, their Made to Order Customised gowns, along with the Emma gown, are available up to 5XL.

Outside of London, there are plenty of wonderful options that consider wedding dresses for plus-size and curvy people. Like Rolling in Roses, in York, is a luxuriously slow, sustainability-minded brand who are proud to “dress brides from all walks of life and of all shapes and sizes. ” Hayley Claire Neil is the founder and designer, and opened her first boutique in 2012 after an uninspiring shopping trip to help find wedding dresses for her sister. All their pieces are available in any size required, and they offer samples in sizes 8 – 20, and tends to be quite generous.

If you're looking on the high-street, the plus-size options above a 16 can be more limited than made to order options. However, there are beautiful choices if you know where to look.

ASOS ARRANGE Curve is a personal favourite, even the straight-size options go up to a size 18, and from my experience always fit well. Their curve range is industry leading, giving plus-size women trend-led, fashion-forward designs in up to a UK size 30. This season, I think the curve beaded fringe maxi dress is the ideal wedding evening look, and could work for a glamorous hen do. Elsewhere, for more budgets in the hundreds not thousands, Needle & Thread, Whistles, Coast, Next, Nadine Merabi and Free People all have curvy-friendly options that go up to a XL (or above).