How to Buy a Maternity Dress for a Bridesmaid

Every bride has a picture-perfect idea of what her bridesmaids are supposed to look like on the big day. But for some brides, a pregnant bridesmaid can alter the reality of a perfect wedding. Instead of asking a bridesmaid to back out of the wedding, though, follow these tips to buy the perfect maternity dress for the bridesmaid.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Consider an empire waist for all bridesmaids. This will make finding a dress for the pregnant bridesmaid much easier and will probably make her feel more comfortable.
2. Determine how far along the bridesmaid will be on the day of the wedding. If she is under four months along, she may simply be able to wear a bigger size of the same dress the other bridesmaids are wearing. For bridesmaids over five months pregnant, you will have to explore other options.
3. Choose the bridesmaids' dresses and ask if the style you choose comes in maternity. Sometimes you can get the same dress in a maternity version.
4. Find a maternity dress that is similar in style and color to the other bridesmaids' dresses if there isn't a maternity version of the dresses you've chosen.
5. Buy just the fabric as a last resort. If you can't find a maternity dress and you don't want your pregnant bridesmaid to wear a different dress, have her dress specially made.

Tips & Warnings

• Schedule a fitting for just a few days before the wedding. This will guarantee the best fit of a maternity dress.
• Consider the possibility of separates for your bridesmaids. If the skirt and top are separate, a stretchy panel can be added to the skirt and you can save time on fittings.
• Don't forget the shoes! A pregnant woman's feet are likely to be swollen, so think about buying shoes in a couple of different sizes. Also, make sure the heels aren't too high so she won't have any trouble walking in them.