Pre-Wedding Weight Loss

Unless you are a size 2 (keep in mind, the average size of a woman today is a 12-14), you probably have given some thought to dropping a few pounds before the big day. So the big question is, should you buy your wedding dress before you have lost the weight? This would require you to buy the dress a size or two smaller than your current size. And this would guarantee your weight loss….or will it?
Let us look at it from both angles.

You have purchased a dress that actually does not fit you. You have to lose the weight to get the dress to actually fit. You will be highly motivated to get off those remaining pounds! Let’s face it; you might not even be comfortable in your dress. Maybe it is difficult to sit or even dance while wearing the dress. Can you even zip it up?

If this scenario describes your feelings (or your train of thought), you might need to keep a few things in mind. One size is approximately 12-15 pounds (this is dependent upon one’s body type/shape). If your decision is to be two sizes smaller than your current size, you should plan to lose approximately 25-30 pounds. How long will this take?

Well, that depends upon the bride. A brides healthy weight loss plan is a loss of 1-2 lbs per week. So in order to drop 25-30 pounds, you would need to start 6 months before the wedding. This means you could order your dress at your current size (6 months before the wedding-or even earlier), with keeping in mind you MUST lose 25-30 pounds in order to fit into your dress. However, you have the pick of dresses. You can order early and get the exact dress you desire.

Now, if you plan on losing weight, and would like to dress to fit at your lowest weight, than you may be better off buying your wedding dress off the rack, 1-2 months in advance. Even if you lose 5-10 pounds right before the wedding, small alterations can be made. The scenario that you do not want to occur is to purchase a dress (one that fits your size at the time of purchase) 6-9 months before the wedding, and you lose 30-40 pounds before the big day. Yes, you have successfully lost weight, and yes, you undoubtedly look fantastic…but your dress does not. It is now too big! Keep in mind; wedding dresses should not be taken in more than 2 sizes.

Regardless of whether you have lost 5, 10, 30, or even zero pounds on your big day-you will look fantastic. Buy a dress that suits you, and one in which you feel comfortable!