Postpartum Bridesmaid

[Spiket77]

Okay. I have another question that some of you might be able to help with. I'm in a wedding 6 weeks after my due date. I have to order my dress Friday and I'm super nervous about it. The dress is $200 so I'm hoping to minimize the amount of alterations I will need. $$$
The last bridesmaid dress I wore was a snug 6. I'm planning on breastfeeding and I'm at a 36C at 29 weeks. So...the boobs will probably be enormous postpartum. I'm thinking a size 10 or 12 will work.
I know I will be wearing some spanx and whatever body sinching gadgets I can find.

Tips?

[Spiket77]

bluegenie2003 - Thanks for sharing your experience.I think I'm going to bite the bullet and order the 12...just for my chest. That's going to be the biggest area by far.

amandame1126 - Thanks for your advice. I know I'm going to have to pump. And the bride's experience...I'm ordering the dress and I haven't complained. Believe me. I am a great bridesmaid. I designed her invitations for her and had them printed and assembled as a wedding gift. I'm also hosting a shower for her 4 weeks before my due date. So, I'm not asking her to make any special arrangements for me. I was married 8 years ago and I know how it goes. I may ask the STORE about exchanges but I'm not going to even mention it to the bride. She has enough on her plate.

[amandamae1126]

I would definetly order the dress in a larger size. Altering to a smaller size is going to work much better than altering to a larger size. Also, hold off altering until the last minute. I think most alterations are only a 1-2 week turnaround, maybe sooner if you give the seamstress advance notice that you are bringing it in for a short notice alteration. That way you can have it altered as close as possible to the wedding date and get the best fit.

Like some of the other ladies mentioned, it is going to be near impossible to not have to feed or empty some milk during that time frame. If you will not have baby with you, be sure to bring a pump so you can get that milk out! Def bring extra nursing pads and stuff your bra like crazy! It might be worth it to even have a hair dryer on hand in case of an emergency and you need to dry a spot before pictures! LOL! Maybe even use a plastic bag to line your bra or something to help prevent the milk from ever reaching your dress.

I disagree with asking the bride to make any accomodations for you (ordering late or what not). Remember, this is her wedding experience, just as you will have your birthing experience. She won't ask you for accomodations during your experience, and I don't think you should ask her for some during her experience. I don't think there would be harm in asking her to give you a 20 minute warning so you can pump, or asking to leave right after the ceremony/pictures. But I wouldn't ask to CHANGE anything on her timeline. Being a relatively new bride (almost 3 years ago) I had WAY too many people asking for special accomodations and at some point you have to say no or it won't be your wedding - it becomes hodge-podge of what everyone else wants.

[bluegenie2003]

I had to be in my sister's wedding 7 weeks after Braeden was born.  I went to get fitted when I was about 5 months pregnant, and added 2 inches to the chest (which ended up putting me up about 2 dress sizes. Then, just to be safe, I ordered a size up from that (I was a size 12, and got a size 18)  When I got fitted, I did have to have the waist taken in quite a bit, but the chest only had to be taken in a little. I left it slightly loose too, which I was really glad for that the day of the wedding since I wasn't able to BF him or pump for several hours and I was really filling it out by then!

[Cassandrajane]

Is it a really fitted dress? Or do you not know yet? LOL

x

[Spiket77]

Thanks! I didn't know about Hot milk bras. I will look that up. I really don't have much of a choice on the breastfeeding the day of. I will work it out.

[30something13]

Hot milk has great bras that should work, also the breast pads will stay secure or you can get some that have a sticky strip so they stick to the clothes. But keep lots of extra, and so you know you will leak when you need to pump/nurse and even if baby gets upset you can leak!!! I have poured once and called to check on my litttle one and he was crying, mamas know. ALso 6 weeks is a long time to just pump for a day! Not all woman can pomp sufficently then and it will be hard to get enough for baby to stay at home too by then. I would strongly suggest that grandma brings baby to at least every other feed to be on the safe side. Baby will get more milk then a pump so you will really be uncomfortable and fuller by just pumping.

I bet the men will be looking your way if it is a halter! HAHA your DH or BF will love those pictures.Best luck

[Cassandrajane]

Ahahahaha, I'll tell her it will be 6 weeks after having a baby because she has a memory like a Goldfish.

But I think your boobs will have reduced! And your bum too! Is it a really fitted Dress??

x

[Spiket77]

Ask her if she has a crystal ball that she can see me in. I need to know how big butt and boobs are going to be. :)
Just kidding.

[Cassandrajane]

Like my mum said, Get a size bigger than your old size (like you said you were size 6, get size 8 - 10) and then you can explain that iit MIGHT need alterations. And they will have to deal with it.
But its better to get it a bit bigger than smaller! :)

I can ask her more when she gets back! she's been a dress maker for 25 years

x

[Spiket77]

Yes, she knows. And she gave us style options but they are in the same fabric and color. They are from the same designer and have to be ordered in advance. She isn't the type of bride that would let me just pick out something 'close'. If you get my drift. I'm really the groom's friend. He has been my close buddy for 20 years. I just have to go with whatever she says. I tried to get out of being a bridesmaid all together but then they moved the date and I couldn't say no.

[vacuumprincess]

Does the bride realize all of this?  Would she possibly let you wear a different type dress from the others that can be purchased right before the event?

I do realize that brides want their weddings to be perfect, but if you are wearing an ill fitting dress, it could look worse than wearing a different one.

[Cassandrajane]

OR a bra that you can alter the strap on and have it as a holter neck bra haha

x

[Cassandrajane]

My mum is a dress maker and she said best thing to do isto get a a size bigger than your normal size if needs be it can always be altered down again, but its better to get bigger than smaller :)
and you can also get a strappless bra and or see through straps for your bra?
x

[Spiket77]

That's a good idea too. It might be worth buying two sizes and exchanging one if I can.

[Spiket77]

This is all great advice! I'm really concerned about the undergarments for the dress in general and how to keep breast pads secure. What we go through!!!! I think the cut of the dress will actually allow me to be larger in the chest. It's kind of a halter style so I will have a little room to fall out if I need too. HA!

I'm actually going to have pump that day which kind of *****. It will be my first time away from my child. The babe will be with Grandma but I will be going home after the ceremony.

lin_z_ttc I think you will be in good shape 5 months after delivery. I'm looking at 6 weeks. Sheesh!

[Clysta]

I don't have much helpful advice either. I know after childbirth some women still retain the weight while for others they loose it all immediately. If you're of the latter, then you could potentially get a size too large. When you get the dress, ask about their exchange and return policy. They might allow you to get something more fitting after you give birth if what you have is wrong.

[lin_z_ttc1]

I have no advise on the matter, but I'm in a similar situation. I'll be in a wedding almost 5 months after I give birth, and am also going to breast feed. I'm hoping that I will be able to slim back down quickly after birth, because she's wanting to order the dresses right around when I give birth.... I have noo idea what size to order lol. Bring on the body suits! :0)

[30something13]

been there done that during pregnancy and right after and yes BF also Your boobs should get a cup size bigger yet during pregnancy and then one to two afterwards with nursing, they will not have gone down by then unforunatly. Those dresses run smaller usually. What you ned to look at is the top part for taking in. Some dresses can only be taken in so much as far as the detailing goes, You will also be leaking! And will need good nursing pads that will not show through, I suggest lace ones with a strip of material like a hankerchief across the front. You also want to look at waht underthings you will wear as far as being able to get in and out fast with BF! Believe me babies that little need to eat often and on demand and the last thing you need is ofr your little one or any little one to cry and you start Niagra Falls down your front side:) Not to scar you but everything must be thought of like I said. I am now nursing #4;)

There will be pictures before make sure the brides maids are done first so you can nurse right ebfore you walk down and have time to fix yourself back, then nurse and take the rest of the pictures. They usually take bride and groom first afterwards after the hand shanking, when everyone leaves for the reception. Then nurse again when pictures are done before you leve for the reception. I do not knwo hwo big a wedding it is but that is usually the time frame for things. Also wear a robe when you get ready at the church and fix your hari then nurse befoer you put yoru dress on, it will be easier and faster.

As far as sizing goes it all depends on the cut and style on how many sizes to go up. But like with me I was a 8 once and wore a 12 after and another time was a 6 and wore a 10. SO maybe that is about right. I am a 34DDD though:) and that size difference worked and I went up to a 34 G poor me!

Hope this helps and I would talk to the bride as far as pictures goes so she can tell the phtographer ahead of time of the blocks that will be used and needed for you nursing. IF they don't know ahead of time they will have things done all ove rthe place!