Your Guide To Wedding Dress Sizes

We totally get it. Wedding dress sizes can be confusing! Whether you’re trying to determine the fit you need, want to know what to expect when trying on dresses, or wondering why your wedding dress size isn’t the same as your street clothes, you’ve come to the right place. Read on to get the inside scoop on all things wedding dress sizes. While you’re at it, check out our TikTok for more fun content like this! 

How Do I Determine Wedding Dress Sizes?

Determining wedding dress sizes is a little different than how you would for your street clothes. At your bridal appointment, your stylist will measure your bust, waist, and hips, and determine it based on your largest measurement. So, before your appointment, you don’t have to worry about coming in knowing your size. Your stylist will help walk you through the whole process and make sure your dress is ordered correctly! 

If you’d like more information, check out The Knot’s article, The Ultimate Guide to Wedding Dress Sizes! 

What Wedding Dress Sizes Do Bridal Shops Stock?

A lot of brides think that bridal shops will have their exact size when they go in to try them on, but that’s usually not the case. Bridal shops will typically order a wedding dress in a few different sizes for brides to try on during their bridal appointments. Depending on whether the dress is a little bit larger or smaller than what you want on your wedding day, they’ll clip the back of the dress or extend it so you can get an idea of what it will look like. Then, if you love the gown, they order the dress from designers like us in the correct size for your wedding! 

In other words, don’t stress it if the gowns you’re trying on don’t fit you just right! It’s the norm and is totally to be expected. Plus, even in your correct size, most wedding dresses are going to require some alterations to fit you seamlessly, so there’s no reason to be anxious about a sample gown not fitting you exactly the way you might want it to on your wedding day. We promise it all works out in the end, and this just allows more space for your boutique to hold different dress styles for you to try on instead of the same five dresses in every possible size! 

Why Is Bridal Sizing So Small?

PC: Glynnis Christensen Photography

A common misconception about wedding dress sizes is that everything runs small in the wedding world. This is because oftentimes, a bride is told she is a larger number in wedding dresses than she normally wears when shopping for regular clothes. No, you haven’t gone up two sizes overnight! It’s not you, it’s bridal! The reason your stylist might order you a larger wedding dress than you were expecting is that when she takes your measurements, she determines your size based on your largest measurement instead of the average like you would with street clothes. We do this because it is a lot easier for the seamstress who does your alterations to remove fabric from your dress than it is to add it. 

So, let’s say your waist and bust measure at an 8 but your hips are measuring at a 12. Depending on the silhouette of the dress, your stylist might order you a 12 so it fits you perfectly at your hips and leave your seamstress to take the rest of the dress in. So, at the end of the day, giving you the biggest possible size just makes it so your dress is super customizable and can be tailored perfectly to your body. Really, once your seamstress is done with it, it doesn’t really have a “size,” it’s just been formed to your body. 

Should I Order My Wedding Dress A Size Up?

PC: Addie Fresca

When it comes to ordering your wedding dress, let your stylist know if you are pregnant or planning on any major weight fluctuations between now and your wedding date. If that isn’t the case for you, you can totally trust your stylist’s original recommendation. They’ve already taken into account everything that they and your seamstress need in order to make you look fabulous on your wedding day! 

Of course, if you want to order a larger dress for whatever reason, you can do that. Just know that major modifications to your dress may cause it to look less like the original one you fell in love with! If you order it way too big and want it to fit you like a glove, your seamstress may have to get rid of some of the lace, beading, motifs, or other details that may have sold you on the dress. So ultimately, we always recommend you go with your stylist’s suggestion. 

Want to know How to Find Maggie Sottero Wedding Dresses Near You and get your bridal appointment booked to find your size and try on your fav Maggie styles? Check out our blog!

Popular Wedding Dresses To Try On IRL

Sparkly Options

• Anniston by Maggie Sottero
  • There are plenty of perks to falling in love. Conveniently, one of them is you get to wear an irresistibly shimmery ball gown wedding dress for your best day ever. Love Anniston? Check out similar styles:
  • Anniston Lane
  • Anniston Leigh
  • Anniston Marie
  • Anniston Marie Leigh

• Casey by Maggie Sottero
  • Don’t let your gorgeous florals fall flat! Embrace the third dimension in this sparkly ball gown wedding dress featuring bouquet-inspired motifs and a regal-chic silhouette. Plus, she stuns when paired with her matching Casey Veil!

• Gretchen by Maggie Sottero
  • In the market for a shimmery pearl tulle A-line bridal dress? This lovely, luxe, and star-like gown will have you singing from the rooftops. 

• Esme by Maggie Sottero
  • There’s something very modern Renaissance about this basque waist bridal gown. (Take that for divine intervention!) 

Romantic Bridal Gowns

• Arden by Maggie Sottero
  • Roll out the red carpet. Call your MOH. This illusion pleated A-line wedding dress is meant to be ravished from every angle. 

• Wicklow by Sottero and Midgley
  • Are you a true trendsetter? Unexpected details elevate this sexy floral side slit bridal dress to the status of couture!

• Winona Leigh by Rebecca Ingram
  • Looking for extra coverage and enchanting layers? Modest is stunning and timeless in this fairytale floral ball gown bridal dress!

• Bridget by Maggie Sottero
  • The perfect gown cocktail: add one part ethereal to one part champagne bubbly. You get a sensual floral lace wedding dress worthy of your best day ever!

Simple Wedding Dresses

• Derrick by Maggie Sottero
  • Are you a thespian at heart? A ballerina by fancy? Perhaps a ballerina IRL? We have just the satin V-neckline bridal gown for your dreamiest (and most dramatic) sensibilities! We recommend you also consider similar styles and accessories to pair with Derrick like:
  • Derrick Marie
  • Derrick Detachable Cap Sleeves
  • Derrick Marie Detachable Cap Sleeves

• Marilyn by Sottero and Midgley
  • Don’t panic. Amidst all the to-dos, IG posts, party planning committees, and pinboard madness, there’s an asymmetrical satin bridal dress to restore all order, grace, and sophistication. 

• Valeska by Maggie Sottero
  • Could this Mikado bow mermaid bridal gown be the one? We’ve consulted the muses and it seems you’re destined for greatness.

• Denise by Rebecca Ingram
  • We have just the draped crepe cat eye neckline wedding gown for the modern diva. 

Sexy Bridal Gowns

• Saskia by Maggie Sottero
  • Are you more “soft romance” or “mega glam?” Fret not, you can have both with this illusion corset wedding dress in heirloom-inspired lace. 

• Tanica by Sottero and Midgley
  • Fancy a style made for photo ops? All-over lace and gorgeous accessories make this plunging sweetheart neckline bridal gown a stunner from any angle. 

• Hilo by Maggie Sottero
  • Let’s discuss the elusive and extraordinary state of being known as “the perfect fit.” It just so happens we have a plus size jacquard wedding dress to check off all our rigorous qualifications. 

• Anastasia by Maggie Sottero
  • For your true-blue, unabashedly feminine, and sensual soul – this crepe, beaded bridal gown delights with delicate spaghetti straps, shimmery motifs, and gorgeous illusion details!

Well, now that you’re an expert on wedding dress sizes and have seen some of our brides’ favorite dresses, it’s time to gather your besties and book your bridal appointment with one of our Authorized Boutiques! We can’t wait to see which one you fall in love with! 

More Blogs Like This:

The Bridal Boutique Experience

How to Find Maggie Sottero Wedding Dresses Near You

The “Maggie Magic” in Your Corset Wedding Dress