Plus Sized Bride Seeking Wedding Gown in Chicago

November 2, 2009 12:29 PM

Hello Chicago! Do you know of any area bridal salons who are plus-size bride friendly?

I'm getting married next June, which is great and exciting and happy. However, I'm a size 24, so dresses aren't as easy to find.

That's where you come in. I am seeking recommendations for bridal shops in the Chicago area who are plus-size friendly and/or have excellent seamstresses.

I would prefer something in the city or the North Shore, but I'm willing to travel anywhere that's willing to see me. I've already called for an appointment at Dame Couture in Evanston. Thanks!

posted by princesspathos to clothing, beauty, & fashion (6 answers total)

A plus-size friend got married in an absolutely gorgeous dress by Priscilla of Boston, which appears to go up to size 24 and there is a location in Oakbrook Terrace. Congratulations!
posted by lalex at 12:46 PM on November 2, 2009

Congratulations! This is possibly a lot farther than you were hoping to travel, but Complete Bridal Salons in West Dundee has a large selection. I am acquainted with the owner (though there are many shops involved), and he is certainly a man that can probably help you.
posted by LillyBird at 12:46 PM on November 2, 2009

Congratulations! I am also a larger woman and I got married two years ago -- I actually just went to David's Bridal, which is a national chain. They had a ton of dresses in a variety of styles including a lot of plus size options. I wouldn't do bridesmaids dresses or accessories (veil, tiara, shoes) there as theirs seem to be sort of cheaply made but for a wedding dress going to a big chain store which has access to lots of choices can actually work out well. My dress was also way less expensive than I was expecting and it was absolutely perfect. Good luck!
posted by Mrs. Pterodactyl at 1:06 PM on November 2, 2009

There is houseofbrides.com and there is an Orland Park location.
posted by stormpooper at 1:18 PM on November 2, 2009

You may want to talk to the lady who runs a plus size boutique over on Damen - Viva La Femme.(yelp link)

Her name is Stephanie, and although she is not a bridal boutique, she has a LOT of plus sized experience and may be able to tell you about places outside of the major retail chains. At least it is worth a shot if you can't find what you need at the chains.

I used to know her from the fabric store and always direct my plus sized ladies there.
posted by Tchad at 1:21 PM on November 2, 2009

I don't live in your area, but I went through this as a plus-size bride so I wanted to add: The key to bridal shopping is that most boutiques will only have a sample dress in one or two sizes, so almost every customer who comes in is going to be too big or too small to fit into it correctly -- even a size 12 girl will have trouble if the sample is an 8 or a 10. So at every boutique I visited, the dressing rooms had clamps and clothespin arrangements on hand -- to either clamp a too-big dress, or so that a too small dress could be sort of roped together in the back (unzipped) so the bride can get an idea of what it will look like in her size.

I worried a lot about how I would be received at bridal shops, and I visited everything from the very posh (Saks) to a bargain outlet, to small independent places. I only got snark at one place, and they lost out on my order. Good luck to you!
posted by BlahLaLa at 10:57 AM on November 3, 2009