Plus Size/Full Figure Wedding Gowns/Dresses

I am a full-figured bride living in Philly, and one of my bridesmaids is also considered `plus` sized. I ordered my gown online from ebay - that`s right - ebay. I got a good deal, although the alterations are costing as much as the dress. For the bridesmaids, we went to Anne Bailey Bridal on Bustleton Avenue in the Northeast. They seemed very helpful and ultimately we all got what we wanted out of the experience. My bridesmaid is getting a beautiful gown with spaghetti straps, a beaded shawl and a full skirt - and I think it ran about $200 (not bad, but also there is a charge for `plus sizes).

As an alternative, I seriously considered a Rennaisance type gown. They typically have loose, full skirts, the bodice is designed to be laced snug and incorporate a lot of variations in size, and some of them are made from the most beautiful brocade fabric. When is the wedding anyway? After mine (May) I`ll have a beautiful wedding dress to sell. :)

Good luck!

Beth

P.S. I am using an incredible Event Coordinator - they do as little or as much as you want them to (I am using them for flowers and invitations and they are also hunting down a hair stylist for me as well as giivng me rehearsal dinner recommendations). They are truly wonderful and helpful and if you want their info, let me know and I will send it to you.

Beth-

Thank you so much for the info. All of it is very helpful. And it just so happens that I live in the Northeast so we will check out Anne Bailey Bridal. Thanks again.

How did you get in touch with an event cordinator? I think that sounds like a fascinating idea. I too am engaged, live in Upstate NY, but my fiance and I are just looking for a intimate place with about 40 people max attending the wedding. Could you tell me how to get in touch with a/the coordinator? Thank-you.....I will be getting married in the fall of this year, am plus sized also, and am looking for bridal gowns, should anyone be selling them!!!

I was very fortunate to be working with a great country club staff for my wedding. Once I got the place that I wanted, I asked them for a list of preferred vendors, since they`ve done this hundreds of times over and I`m only doing this once!
When I asked about flowers, one of the staff handed me a business card and practically gushed. It turned out they are not a florist, but a coordinator, who will do as little or as much as you want. I have to say I`m so pleased with them so far, and I orderd my invitations through them as well.

I am also a huge internet junkie and did a ton of research on the web. You might want to start here:

Http://www.wedalert.com/vendsearch/states/newyork.shtml

When you choose a county, there is a category called Wedding_consultants. Try both yours and neighboring counties and interview them - work with one that makes you feel comfortable. Again, if you try it the other way around and find a unique setting for your wedding, they might have a list of vendors they prefer to work with. (For instance, delivery of all my flowers is free because of the relationship between the country club and the coordinator.)

Have fun and good luck!!

P.S. I found this site as well looking at `New York Weddings` in Yahoo. This looks like it has a ton of great starting points:
Http://www.hudsonvalleyweddings.com/

If you are looking for plus size dresses check out this site.
Www.plussizebridal.com
I went to a rental/consignment bridal store and got a great dress (size 20) for $240 . They will also sell the dress for me when I am finished with it.

BETH-

Thank you so very much. My fiancee went to Anne Bailey Bridal and found a dress that she loves. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU !!!