*This post was sponsored by David’s Bridal but all thoughts and opinions are my own.
Learning to love my arms has been a journey. I grew up believing my large arms were supposed to stay hidden. I covered up with sweaters and when things fit too snug, I joked that I had “sausage arms.” As I’ve delved into body positivity, I have defiantly shown off my bare arms as an expression of self love. My wedding day was expected to be no different. Until I fell in love with a.
My Plus Size Wedding Dress with Sleeves at David’s Bridal
Only a few days before my wedding, I was in my local David’s Bridal store picking out a wedding dress for my reception. Because of some last minute sizing issues, I was in need of a new dress for my reception and fast! I knew my friends at David’s Bridal would have the available for me to try on in-store.
David’s Bridal offers a wide range of plus size wedding dresses up to a size 30W. At my local David’s Bridal, I tried on a few different dresses. But after trying on some definite possibilities, I still couldn’t get one particular style out of my head. I spotted this plus size wedding dress with sleeves in one of the David’s Bridal window displays. I had to try it on!
Finding My Dream Dress
The mesh bodice with built-in boning almost looked like a corset. Delicate floral embroidery danced along the illusion sleeves. Fancy buttons lined the sheer back. It wasn’t until I put it on that I realized that the bottom half was just as stunning as the top. I was able to try on this dress in a 20W and I was happy to find that the size I wear in ready-to-wear clothing was the same size I needed in this dress. The size on the tag doesn’t matter to me but what does matter is that babes up to a true size 30 would be able to wear this dress!
The Plus Size Wedding Dress with Sleeves in Action
I worked with the David’s Bridal alternations team to shorten the sleeves and gown length to fit my petite frame. They also adjusted the bust and the boning in the torso for the same reason. I wanted to look as magical as I felt that day. The happiness on my face really speaks for itself.
I changed into this dress right before my new husband and I were announced. We skated through the ballroom while dancing and singing to Beyonce’s “Love on Top”. Our guests ohh’d and awe’d at my dress. I even caught a few gasps. It was an unforgettable moment made possible by this plus size wedding dress with sleeves – a dress I never thought I would wear.
Throughout my wedding dress shopping experience, I never wanted to even try on dresses with sleeves. It felt important to me to make a statement that my large arms didn’t need to be covered on my wedding day. There is still a belief that plus size brides have to hide their bodies. I didn’t want to feed into that. But that thought process was still focused too much on others and not enough on what I wanted. This was the ultimate practice in self love that my years of body positivity have prepared me for.
Stepping Out of My Comfort Zone
I’m so glad that I stepped out of my comfort zone and realized that wearing a plus size wedding dress with sleeves didn’t mean I was hiding my arms. When I looked in the mirror after putting this dress on at my wedding, I was more sure than ever that this dress celebrated a body that I once hated, and in particular, it highlighted my arms. It put my confidence and my happiness on full display. I felt free to just be myself and enjoy our special day!
The way that this dress moved was so elegant. Since this was the dress I would be wearing for my first dance, the dress’s twirl potential was a serious consideration of mine. This dress did not disappoint! Dancing is something I usually feel somewhat insecure about and in this dress, you would have never known. I spun and twirled with no care in the world.
Wear the Dress YOU Love
I asked my husband what he thought about my reception dress. He said, “You looked beautiful in both dresses but your second dress was perfect for the reception. It was glamorous and chic but still free flowing.” I couldn’t have put it better myself!
I always say that you need to let your personal style and not other people’s opinions about your body determine what you wear. This is even more true on your wedding day. This is a day to celebrate love and for me, self love as a huge part of my journey. Finding love within myself is what allowed me to see that I was a person worth loving. Once I gave that love to myself, I was able to open my heart to receiving love from someone else as well.
To shop more from David’s Bridal, visit their online shop or stop by a store near you!