Besides deciding on the color of the dress, the visibly pregnant bride will need to decide if she wants to go with a form fitting maternity wedding dress or a loose fitting one.
Leading advice columnists, including Miss Manners at the Washington Post, say wearing white is not a breach of etiquette for the expecting bride. Miss Manners has said that the "...real vulgarity is in the notion that the color of the dress should advertise the history of the body it contained." Whether you go with white, a pastel or a brightly colored gown, you will find many choices. Just as other maternity clothes have become much more revealing over the past decade, so have maternity wedding dresses. Many of these contemporary dresses do not hide but rather compliment your new curves, glowing skin and excitement.
There is no need to compromise style just because you are expecting. Many contemporary maternity wedding dresses are form fitting, just as many give you a bit more room. Some are sexy, floor length with off the shoulder sleeves; others are ensembles with beautiful white tops featuring sheer lace bell sleeves and just above the knee skirts. The varieties in style are endless. If you do not see anything in the contemporary maternity wedding dress lines that appeals, you may prefer the classic, Empire-wedding dress found in many bridal shops. This style features a high waist that breaks away just under the bust just as your grandmother's maternity clothes did.
If you do not want to wear white or you are on a tight budget, you might consider a bridesmaid or prom dress. Many of these are quite stunning, and the prom dresses tend to offer more in the way of sparkle.
If you are planning a Hawaiian wedding and do not want a figure hugging maternity wedding dress, you are in luck. Muumuu's, the Hawaiian loose fitting dress, long or tea length, are worn to formal occasions. Muumuus are available in the most elegant of styles, even in velvet. Some are shapelier than others are. Necklines vary from low, scooped to high collar, lacy affairs. Some have trains for wearing in cultural pageantry. Moreover, if you want white, the white on white Hawaiian floral print is very suitable for a wedding.
Finally, if you want your wedding to reflect your new motherhood, try a springtime look symbolizing the new birth of your child and your marriage, such as daisy chain appliqu?d dress, budding flowers in your bouquet, and baby's breath flowers in your hair.
