Maintaining A Positive Body Image At Your Bridal Appointment

Every bride deserves to feel beautiful on their wedding day. But thanks to the endless bombardment of filtered social media posts and pesky advertising full of unattainable beauty standards, feeling as beautiful as you look can be hard. We totally get that the thought of stepping into that first dress at your bridal appointment and not loving what you see is anxiety-inducing. But in reality, nothing is more beautiful than a bride who’s totally in love, with their fiancé and with themself. We’re here to make sure you’re feeling yourself when the time comes to say yes to your dream dress! Welcome to our 7-step program for a more positive body image.

Once you’ve finished, make sure to follow us on Instagram for more content just like this as you indulge in shopping trips and prepare for your wedding day!

Research silhouettes that will look great on your body type before your wedding dress appointment

PC: Michelle Baughan Photo

Choosing a flattering bridal gown silhouette is one of the easiest ways to maintain a positive body image, work with your gorgeous figure, and complement your personal style.

There is no “one size fits all” approach to body types. However, it doesn’t hurt to research general categories, such as hourglass, petite, tall, athletic, and curvy.

Here are some of our favorite tips for choosing a silhouette that’s perfect for you:

• Looking to enhance a small bustline? Try adding visual interest with ruching, wrapping, and embellishment; or simply work with your natural features and rock a plunging neckline and low back.
• Both petite and tall brides look gorgeous in monochromatic fabrics and simple embellishments. These help to naturalize your height and create a graceful silhouette.
• For brides with fuller hips who want a more balanced look, A-line wedding gowns help balance out the lower body with the upper body. However, if you want to embrace the shape of your natural figure, choose a flattering fit-and-flare or mermaid silhouette to highlight your beautiful curves!

Want to know what silhouettes and styles are perfect for you? Take our style quiz or read How To Find A Wedding Dress For Your Body Type!

All in all, the perfect wedding dress is the wedding dress you feel your best in!

PC: Michelle Baughan Photo

Trust your stylist to ensure your body confidence

As you book your wedding dress appointment, it’s important to trust that your team of bridal stylists will help you find something beautiful and exceptional. They may introduce you to wedding gowns outside your comfort zone. Don’t let it shake your positive body image! This is the perfect opportunity to browse, experiment, and (maybe!) find something you didn’t expect to love.

A lot of times you think you know what you want but end up buying something completely different. Remember to keep an open mind! After all, how often do you get to go wedding dress shopping? Savor it and try everything! Maybe you’ll come back to your original vision, maybe your stylist will blow your mind. Either way, you’ll have a blast playing dress-up!

Psst! Check out Your Guide To Wedding Dress Sizes to see how your stylist sizes you and how different it is from regular sizing!

If you choose to diet and exercise, focus on sustainability and overall wellness

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One of the biggest factors in achieving a positive body image is to let go of the “quick fix” mentality. Put another way, you have all the power in the world to make big changes for your big day. Just don’t let those “numbers” detract from your overall wellness and enjoyment.

Dropping a dress size or losing a certain number of pounds is only one aspect of the body positivity package. It’s much more important (and effective!) to take care of your body, ease into new diet and exercise regimens, and focus on sustainable lifestyle changes to reach your goals.

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Stay positive and focus more on your overall wellness than just numbers on the scale. After all, your overall wellness includes your mental wellness. Don’t let that fall by the wayside!

Remember that the number on the scale has nothing to do with how radiant you’re going to look on your wedding day. You’re marrying the love of your life, and nothing should take away from that moment. A happy bride is a beautiful bride!

Bring an entourage that encourages positive body image

Your entourage can make such a huge difference in how your wedding dress appointment goes. Make sure to bring your most encouraging friends and family members who are supportive of your positive body image! This day is all about you feeling beautiful, so don’t feel guilty about not inviting people who don’t make you feel that way.

Practice body positive affirmations

PC: Morgan and Joel Photo

If phrases like “There’s no way I’ll get fit enough for the wedding,” or “I hate how I look in photos” sound all too familiar, it may be time to reassess the way you speak about your progress and self-image.

If that’s something you’re still working on, here are some great positive body image affirmations to get you started on your self-love journey:

• “My body deserves to be taken care of. I feed my body with nourishing food and give it exercise to feel strong, active, and energized.”
• “My brain, heart, and personality are the best parts of me.”
• “Seeking body positivity is a meaningful and valuable endeavor. I deserve to find things that create happy and healthy dialogue about my skin, shape, and natural features.”
• “I look exactly the way I’m supposed to. If the way I look changes in the coming months, I will continue to trust its wisdom, beauty, and integrity.”
• “My body can do incredible things.”
• “Life is too short and my wedding will go by too fast for me to waste time obsessing about my body. I am going to take care of it and pamper it before the big day. But my main priorities are to feel happy, loved, and open to possibility.”

PC: Pamela Leon Photography | Amanda Shear Photo

Maggie Sottero’s Commitment to Body Confidence, Inclusivity, and Representation

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We’re 100% committed to helping you create an unforgettable celebration, from the moment you start your wedding planning online to your first steps down the aisle, to those weeks following your wedding when you get to relax, celebrate, and reminisce over your gorgeous bridal portraits.

A few ways Maggie Sottero is committed to creating a space for positive body image and inclusivity in the bridalsphere include:

• We are proud to hire diverse models for every photo shoot, from our in-house styled shoots to seasonal campaigns.
• We are honored to highlight models in US sizes 12 and 18 in all our campaign photoshoots.
• Most of our wedding gowns are available in US sizes 0-28, designed for real women and their diversity of shapes, figures, and styles.
• We offer wedding gowns across an array of price points. We believe there’s absolutely no reason for a bride to sacrifice romance or quality (not to mention an ultra-flattering silhouette) for her budget.

PC: Hetler Photography

Quotes from Real Brides

We recently had the opportunity to invite influencers and real brides to join us at Maggie headquarters to participate in our Love for ALL campaign. With the launch of Love for All, Maggie encourages brides to break free from traditional constraints and embrace their unique beauty. This campaign celebrates self-love, empowerment, and confidence, providing a platform for all brides to express their true selves as they approach their wedding day.

Here’s what our stunning real brides who shared their perspectives in Love for ALL had to say about maintaining body positivity:

Jezra Williams:

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“Saying yes to you means fully embracing who you are your beauty, your voice, and your presence without apology. For me, it’s about celebrating my body, my story, and the journey that brought me here. As a plus-size model and a mother, I want others to know that love, confidence, and joy aren’t reserved for a specific size, shape, or background. Being part of the Love for ALL campaign was a powerful reminder that every bride, every woman, deserves to be seen, celebrated, and embraced exactly as she is.”

Glenda King

PC: Michelle Baughan Photo

“To be a face in the Love for All campaign truly will show brides of all backgrounds and ages you are celebrated by Maggie Sottero. That your love story is important and should be honored. The campaign message shows ALL brides, and even older brides like myself, that it’s never too late to have your dream wedding.”‘

Roqaiah Odeh:

PC: Michelle Baughan Photo

“I hope the message, “Love for All” sends to brides is to be their true selves and stay authentic to who they are without compromising for external reasons. We’re all deserving of love and should be confident in going out to express it the way we feel most happy to.”

Blerona Krivanjeva:

PC: Michelle Baughan Photo

“Being part of this campaign has probably been one of the best experiences and accomplishments in my life. My main goal in being a part of this campaign was to show representation to my little people community… it doesn’t matter the style of dress that you have, the design, the color, or anything in general… there are over 400 different types of dwarfism, it is hard for little people to find a dress. I want to make sure that all little people feel beautiful and secure that it doesn’t matter what type of dwarfism you have, you will find your dress. There is no stereotype in a specific way that a bride should look, and I truly hope this campaign can show that to my community.”

Want to know more about our DEI and social responsibility efforts? Learn more about movements close to our heart and read The “Maggie Magic” in Your Maggie Sottero Wedding Dress!

Maggie Sottero Wedding Dresses that Flatter a Wide Range of Body Types

• Harlem by Maggie Sottero
• Aspen by Sottero and Midgley
• Marsha by Rebecca Ingram
• Bronson by Sottero and Midgley
• Benjie by Maggie Sottero

Still here? Don’t worry, we know that was a lot of info (we’re passionate, what can we say?) So here’s the bottom line. Don’t let anyone affect your health, confidence, and positive body image on your best day ever. This is your time to shine, whatever your age, size, personal style, or budget! We don’t put our foot down often, but we’re not open for debate on this one. You look gorgeous in that dress. Now book your bridal appointment in confidence and go have a blast!

More Blogs Like This:

The “Maggie Magic” in Your Maggie Sottero Wedding Dress

Your Guide To Wedding Dress Sizes

How To Find A Wedding Dress For Your Body Type