s/o PG bridesmaid-- a ? (PIP)

alice2Bcheshire

Hi, Girls-- I have a slight dilemma and I'm hoping that someone has some advice for me.  My sister is getting married at the end of March, I'm the MOH, and I'll be 23w5d.  I need to order my dress now (PIP below), and I have no idea which size I need.  For reference, my pre-PG size for the dresses my sister chose is an 8.  I know there's no way to tell just how much I'll be showing (or how I'll be carrying) at that point, but would ordering a dress two sizes up (a 12) be a wise decision?  Should I get an even larger size?  Order extra fabric, too?  All of the above?  I'd love to be able to order a maternity dress, or at least order this dress closer to the wedding date, but I'm waiting to tell my mom and sister that I'm KU until I visit them in 2 weeks, and the dress can take up to 12 weeks to arrive once I've ordered it.  Grrr.  Help, please!

stdldb29

When I was 23 weeks pg with Benjamin I barely had a bump. I was still wearing my fitted skirts at the time. I would order maybe a size up, that dress doesnt look *too* fitted where your bump will be. Does that make sense to you? It's hard for me to type out what I am thinking tonight!

georgia_peachy

Well if you don't want to tell them yet the very least I would do is order extra fabric.  Usually BM dresses have quite a seam allowance, so you might not have to order up TWO sizes, but I don't think it would hurt.  Either way the tailor is going to have to work some magic and giving him/her as much to work with as possible would make things easier.

Temp200154562509288

I was a bridesmaid when I was pg with DD and I was a little over 20 weeks. I just ordered a few sizes bigger, the dress shop your ordering it from should be able to advise you exactly which size. By 23 weeks you should have a bump but it probably still won't be huge so you most likely shouldn't have a problem fitting into a non maternity dress

CarolEvans

that is tough!  that dress does not look pg friendly at all.  and as everyone carries differently, i had a different experience from pp where around 23 i had a nice bump that was way up high, so anything below my boobs was sticking out.  you may have to spill the beans and maybe opt for a different cut dress w/ more of an empire waist, or try for an actual maternity bm dress.  ordering a bigger size might just make you look frumpy or require  A LOT of alterations.  you could try it on w/ a fake bump and hope for the best, but at that point wearing things w/ no give is risky.  one of my bff's was a bmaid along w/ myself at her SIL and she was 6m pg.  our dresses were custom made and hers ended up being a little different so it was empire and it was made a week before the wedding.  but she had that luxury.  gl!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

nooniesgal

I was in a wedding at 14 weeks last time and had to have 2 inches of fabric added for my ever growing bust...and that was 14 weeks!  They added a bit through the waist too for comfort. I would definitely order 2 sizes up as it is easier to take in than to have to rush another dress!  You can also order fabric but will want to order it in the dye lot of the dresses that your dress is coming from...so order it at the beginnig.   You have no idea how your body might change so I say go for the worst case scenario.  I plan weddings and can not tell you how many times girls can not fit into the dresses they ordered because they thought they would be able to squeeze in!  Whatever you decide, talk to the shop owner.  They will be able to tell you how easy the dress is to alter and what can be done.  

It will be wonderful ...plan ahead now (like it sounds like you are) and have fun!

AlexJ217

When I had to order a MOH dress, I told the store that I might be pregnant for the wedding. They had a special pillow to wrap around me to measure - they had different pillows based on your trimester. It was funny to see what I might look like at the wedding with a baby bump. I would call the store and find out. (I was at Alfred Angelo)

Good luck

stdldb29

I never thought about the bust part! Hmmm....

alice2Bcheshire

Thanks for the advice, everyone!  And Carol, you're right-- this dress looks the opposite of "belly friendly"   I'm supposed to order through an online store, but now I'm thinking of first finding a brick-and-mortar store locally so I can at least get a professional seamstress' opinion on just how far the dress would be able to be altered.  Keep your fingers crossed for me.

erbear

I was in regular clothes still at 23 weeks. I'd order a size bigger.