Wedding Dress For Older Bride

by CAROL P.
(HINCKLEY, IL. USA)

I'm 54 years old and this will be my 2nd marriage. My first marriage I wore a dress that I had from school(I got married at 17). I never had a "wedding". This has always been my dream, but I don't know if I'm too old to wear a wedding gown down the aisle. I'm about 5'4 and weight about 183. I have a large stomach and butt. Top section I'm a 42c and I have somewhat large arms. My legs are perfect shape. I need help on style that will hide most of my stomach areas. What does someone my age do?
Help! Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Carol

Hi Carol,

I first want to address the fact that you can wear a wedding gown (with or without train), no matter what age you are. The trick is to find one that is complimentary to your figure and age appropriate.

Now as to which styles would look good on you... I have included some pictures above, of some basic wedding dress styles that I feel you would find to be complimentary to your body shape. You will notice that two styles have an empire waist. When a person is bigger around the middle, an empire waist wedding dress that flows over that area is usually the best choice. One thing to note though is if a person has a protuding stomach, one that sticks out past the bust, this style can make a person look pregnant. In that case it would be best to wear shaping garments that would reduce the stomach, or choose a different style.


Another style choice would be the princess a-line wedding dress style (Bonny 1713). This style is complimentary because it can give an illusion of a smaller waist area. The cape sleeves on this style can hide heavy upper arms.

Wedding dress style 1900 by Bonny is a dropped waist with a fuller skirt and has a more tailored fit. You might not think so but I have seen this style look great on some brides with your shaping. Again, wearing the right bridal undergarments really make a difference.

Now as you may notice with the pictures above in didn't include strapless necklines or halter neckline styles since most brides over 50 would prefer not to wear these styles. But if you like these necklines... the basic silhouettes above will work with a strapless or halter neckline as well.

These are just suggestions but be open to trying on other styles because some details like asymmetrical design details, draping and pleating detail on wedding gowns will slim the midsection.

Have fun wedding dress shopping!!!

P.S. If you want further help privately, just feel out the "contact me" form.

Desiree