HOW BRIDAL SIZING WORKS: WHAT WEDDING DRESS SIZES REALLY MEAN FOR BRIDES

Bridal sizing is one of the most misunderstood parts of wedding gown shopping, and often one of the most emotionally charged.

Numbers carry weight, especially in moments that feel deeply personal. At Ivory Bride, we believe understanding bridal sizing isn’t about labels or comparison, but about clarity, fit, and feeling supported throughout the process. This guide exists to gently demystify what bridal sizing means, and why it works the way it does.

Why is bridal sizing different from everyday sizing?

Bridal sizing is different because it follows traditional couture sizing standards, not modern retail sizing.

Many bridal designers use size charts that have remained largely unchanged over time, which means the numbers often run smaller than everyday clothing. This difference is not a reflection of your body, it is simply a different system. Understanding this can help remove unnecessary self-judgement from the experience.

Does my usual clothing size matter when choosing a wedding gown?

Your everyday clothing size is not a reliable indicator of your bridal size.

Wedding gowns are structured differently, often using internal corsetry, boning, and tailoring techniques that require a more precise fit. Because of this, bridal sizing is based on measurements rather than labels, allowing the gown to be adjusted to you, rather than the other way around.

What size wedding gown should I order?

The correct wedding gown size is chosen based on your measurements at the time of ordering, not on the size you hope to be.

This approach ensures the gown can be tailored accurately and comfortably. It is always easier to take a gown in than to let it out, which is why selecting the size that best accommodates your measurements creates the most supportive starting point.

Will my gown be altered after it arrives?

Yes. Alterations are a normal and expected part of the bridal process.

Very few gowns fit perfectly straight from the studio. Alterations refine the fit, enhance proportion, and ensure the gown moves with you. Rather than seeing alterations as a correction, they are best understood as the final stage of personalisation.

What if my body changes before my wedding?

Body changes are normal, especially over longer engagement periods.

When ordering your gown, your stylist considers timing, flexibility in design, and alteration possibilities. The goal is always to create a gown that supports you, wherever you are, rather than expecting your body to remain static.

Why shouldn’t I focus on the number inside the gown?

The number inside a gown is not designed to be seen, and it is not designed to define you.

What matters is how the gown feels, how it moves, and how confidently you inhabit it. Bridal sizing exists for construction and tailoring purposes only. It is a tool, not a measure of worth.

How does Ivory Bride approach sizing during appointments?

At Ivory Bride, sizing is approached with discretion, care, and sensitivity.

Conversations around measurements and fit are guided calmly, without emphasis on numbers. The focus remains on proportion, balance, and how each gown can be tailored to honour your body as it is. Every consultation is shaped by respect, not comparison.

What if I feel nervous about bridal sizing?

Feeling nervous is completely understandable, and you are not alone.

Bridal sizing can carry emotional weight, especially in a space that feels symbolic. A supportive environment, honest communication, and a stylist who understands both design and empathy can transform that experience into one of reassurance rather than stress.

Understanding bridal sizing is not about learning where you fit into a system, it’s about learning how the system works for you.

When the focus shifts from numbers to fit, movement, and feeling, space opens up for confidence to grow. And from there, everything becomes a little lighter.