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Gretchen's Bridal Gallery

Midwest's largest boutique for bridal & bridesmaids dresses with a selection of prom, tux, and special occasion wear!

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bridal gowns

The Truth About Bridal Sizing

June 27, 2022 By //  by Gretchen Reynolds

Your engagement ring is shining on your left hand as you stand in your undergarments in the fitting room of your first bridal appointment. Your stylist brings an array of beautiful options into your room. One of the dresses catches your eye, could this be one? You start to feel excited to try on your first dress. Suddenly, all of that excitement comes to a halt when you see the number on the tag. It is at least two sizes higher than your normal dress size.

As your stylist zips, clips, and pannels you into your first dress you start to feel a mix of emotions clouded by a number. You are not alone, almost every bride has had those exact thoughts. Even with the cautionary tales and warnings, your dress size can still come as a shock. Let’s demystify bridal sizing!

There are two main reasons for needing a larger wedding dress.

Reason #1

No, wedding dress designers aren’t purposefully making the dress smaller so you feel bad. Historically many wedding dress designers have been based out of Europe. It has become a common practice in the wedding dress industry. Even today many US-based designers tend to take on these sizing practices. European size charts tend to run smaller than American size charts.

Reason #2

Most wedding dresses are special orders, not custom-made. You will try on a sample of a special order gown. Wedding dress designers don’t keep a lot of stock, instead, they make the gowns as the orders come in. Those orders are given based on their design size chart.

Each designer has a unique size chart used for their dresses. Wedding dresses are typically made with only 1-2 inches of the seam allowance because of that it is standard practice to order to the highest size a bride measures to.

For example:

You could be a size 12 in your chest. Size 14 in your waist. Size 10 in your hips.

We would order you a size 14 wedding dress because it is much easier to take a dress in than to take it out.

Those two reasons make it common for brides to order a dress a few sizes larger than what they are used to wearing. Just remember that the number on your dress tag does not define you. If you don’t want to see it, simply cut the tag out. Your dress will be custom fit to you during alterations anyways.

Are you ready to find your dream dress? Gretchen’s Bridal Gallery has the biggest designer wedding dress selection in Indianapolis. Book your bridal appointment today at Gretchen’s Bridal Gallery.

Filed Under: Bridal, Wedding Dresses, Wedding Planning Tagged With: bridal gowns, bridal sizing, indiana bride, indianapolis wedding, weddin plannng, wedding dress

Disney Princess Wedding Dresses Dreams Are Made Of

September 29, 2020 By //  by Gretchen Reynolds

Every woman wants to feel like a princess on their wedding day. Allure Bridal’s new Disney Fairy Tale Weddings Collection is designed for all brides, and inspired by some of your favorite princesses. Here’s a look at the full Disney princess wedding dresses collection so you can choose the gown that’s right for you.

bride in white bridal gown standing on cliff overlooking ocean

Ariel

bride in white bridal gown standing on rocks near ocean

This mermaid-style gown was inspired by Ariel’s fins, with flowing layers of organza and tulle to create the illusion of ocean waves. It features a flattering sweetheart neckline, along with delicate covered buttons down the back. 

Aurora

bride in white bridal gown with bridal cape standing in front of castle

The Aurora gown pairs a fitted waistline with Alencon lace detail for a stunning dramatic accent. Its strapless bodice is layered with beaded, sparkling lace followed by a tulle ballgown skirt. This wedding dress also comes with a detachable lace bridal cape as an additional accessory.

Belle

bride in off-the-shoulder white bridal gown holding a mirror in the woods

Belle’s character is both timeless and romantic, just like her inspired dress. This Disney princess wedding dresses features a classic off-the-shoulder neckline with Alencon lace appliques framing the ballroom skirt made of satin. The dress is finished with a stunning train for the perfect dramatic exit.

Cinderella

bride dancing in middle of grass field with castle in the distance

The gem of the Disney Fairy Tale Weddings Collection is the Cinderella dress, featuring more than 4,600 crystals and over 44,000 additional beaded elements. Sparkling tulle and Alencon lace come together with a v-shaped bodice and capped sleeves for a flair of glamour along with feminine beading.

Jasmine

woman wearing a white sheath bridal gown with long tulle and standing in fairy tale style room

Coming from a family of royalty, the Jasmine gown incorporates her strong willed and adventurous personality with an elegant fit and flare silhouette. Created with luxurious stretch crepe, Venise lace and adorning crystals, the off-the-shoulder gown is complete with a memorable lace train.

Pocahontas

woman in the woods wearing a white sheath bridal gown with detailing

From Pocahontas’ love of nature, this dress is a classic sheath silhouette with a sleek design of layered cotton-lace appliques. The sweetheart neckline is framed by detailed straps along with a string of covered buttons down the back. The Pocahontas wedding dress is also available in two colorways.

Rapunzel

woman wearing a white mermaid dress with long tulle

Inspired by the curious personality of Rapunzel, this dress is unique with cotton lace, a v-shaped bodice and feminine cap sleeves. It features flowing chiffon with tulle accents for a dreamy creation, with a floor-length ribbon back detail to give the illusion of a cascading braid.

Snow White

woman wearing long white mermaid bridal gown in the forest

As the original Disney princess, the Snow White gown is ‘beautifully traditional’. The bodice is covered with delicate embroidered lace over a scooped necklace. Its ballroom skirt is made up of layers of organza and sparkling tulle, all overlaid with bespoke lace and blooms + floral appliqués. 

Tiana

woman standing in the middle of fireflies near lake wearing a modified a line bridal gown

Drawing design from the Jazz Age, the Tiana dress is created with a slender, strapless silhouette and sweetheart necklace. The cascading layers of tulle and Alencon lace make up the skirt of this dress for a modern, yet vintage feeling of understated beauty. 

All gowns in the Disney Fairy Tale Weddings Collection are available in sizes 0 through 30 with prices ranging from $1450 to $3100 to accommodate all styles and budgets. Book an appointment with us today and see which inspired dress is right for you. Brides also get 10% off their first appointment with us! 

“And they lived happily ever after.”

Filed Under: Wedding Dresses Tagged With: bridal gowns

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