The wedding gown is the most important part of the bridal ensemble, and this is the one piece that will play the biggest role in your comfort level throughout the day. I remember reading that when Melania Knauss married Donald Trump, her couture wedding gown weighed something like fifty pounds! Can you imagine what it would be like to drag a fifty pound dress around on your body for an entire day? This just serves to illustrate one of the first principles when shopping for a comfy wedding gown: go for one that is lightweight. A gown can be slender and wispy, made from a few yards of chiffon. But you can also have a full and traditional dress that is light, as long as you choose your materials carefully. The lightest options for a full skirt are tulle, organza, and organdy. Satin, especially a polyester satin, will weigh you down the most.



The cut of the bridal gown is another factor in how it will feel to wear. If comfort is a priority for you, avoid a strapless gown which requires a very snug fit to stay up. You would be amazed at the difference it can make to add a little pair of spaghetti straps to a strapless gown. With your shoulders helping to support the dress, it no longer has to fit so snugly. This is not to say that the dress needs to look loose or baggy. A wedding dress with straps can look like it fits as close to the body as a strapless dress, but you will be able to take a deep breath.

What goes on under the gown also matters. If the gown you have chosen comes with a massive petticoat built in, you can always ask your seamstress to remove some of the layers of netting, or even the entire crinoline. When your preference is to keep the crinoline, take a look at how it is made; it should be lined with a soft fabric to prevent the itchy netting from scratching your legs all day.

The accessories that you select will also play a big role in your level of comfort on your wedding day. Far and away the biggest difference maker will be your shoes. Yes, those towering designer stilettos are fabulous, but do you really think that your feet will thank you for choosing them? Especially by the end of the day, you want to be certain that your feet will still be feeling good enough to dance all night. What good does it do you to have gorgeous shoes if they kill your feet so much that you have to spend half the night sitting down or take them off? A better option is to find a really pretty pair of dressy flats or even a pair of ballet slippers. If you simply must wear high heels, buy them a little bit loose, and wear an insert in them for the ceremony; as your feet swell during the reception, you can remove the insert to give you more space.

Even things like your hairstyle and choosing custom bridal jewelry will affect your comfort. Bridal jewelry that is custom made to your specifications can be sized to fit you just right so that you will not be bothered by a too-tight necklace or bracelet digging into your skin. As for your hairstyle, if you are considering wearing all of your hair up, be sure to try out the style for an entire day at some point before the wedding. Brides who have a lot of long heavy hair may find that having it all piled up on top of their heads can actually cause headaches, as can styles that are pulled too tightly. A half up style may be more comfortable for your wedding.

With these tips in mind, you will find it easier to find the bridal gown, accessories, and even the hairstyle that will maximize your comfort. After all, when you feel great, you will look your most beautiful!