ChicMe WW

The pregnant woman's guide to the perfect wedding

By Dilvin Yasa|

Baby on board? No problem. In fact, it might be a bonus! Image: Getty.
Baby on board? No problem. In fact, it might be a bonus! Image: Getty.
How to have a magical day - bump and all

Whether youกฏve put the horse before the carriage or the carriage before the horse, it makes no difference: wedding planning can make even the most hardened of SAS soldiers weep.

The following tips will help you get to the finish line in style จC sanity intact.

Consider your timing

Although many brides want to get married before the bump well and truly announces itself, itกฏs often more advantageous to wait until youกฏre well into your second trimester. In the first trimester, you may still well be courting abs of steel, but youกฏre likely to be affected by morning sickness and the kind of fatigue that sees you fast asleep by 7pm, and by the third trimester, youกฏll probably be feeling heavy and exhausted.? Your second trimester? You can look forward to more energy, glowing skin (usually), a significantly decreased risk of miscarriage, and the perfect window to travel for your babymoon/honeymoon.

Find the perfect venue for you

Pregnant brides are not uncommon in 2017, but itกฏs a sad fact of life that some churches still will not agree to marry a pregnant bride. If you would like to be married in a church, make an appointment to discuss your options, taking care to respect their opinion before moving on if necessary.

There are plenty of other venues you could hold your ceremony; consider atmospheric gardens, scenic rooftops, chic restaurants or grand hotel ballrooms with a celebrant in attendance as strong contenders.

Rethink your dream wedding dress

That dress youกฏve had in the back of your mind, that one with the bodice that takes 12 people to strap you in so you end up looking like an extra in a Marilyn Manson video? Not going to happen. As your belly continues to grow (sometimes in huge and unexpected spurts), youกฏll feel far more comfortable in something thatกฏs loose, light, easy to wear and easy to lift (for those relentless toilet breaks).

Consider an empire-line gown where the fabric is drawn in under the bust, with the fabric then floating gently down over your belly, or a detailed bodycon dress if youกฏre keen to show off your bump. For more traditional gowns, aim to steer clear of stiff and heavy materials such as taffeta and satin which can increase your odds of overheating or feeling breathless and dizzy. Instead, opt for soft chiffons, georgette and silk tulle.

Leave your shoe purchase until last-minute as feet have a tendency to either swell, or go up in size during pregnancy. Buy those towering Jimmy Choos youกฏve had your heart set on, but also invest in a pair of smart ballet flats จC youกฏll need both on the day.

No reason to hide that baby bump. In fact, it's perfectly acceptable to celebrate it. Image: Getty.

Put some (fake) rings on it

Just as your belly, feet and pretty much everything else swells during your pregnancy, so too do your fingers จC something to remember when youกฏre shopping for rings. You have two options here: you could speak with your jeweller about whether they offer a free (or inexpensive) resizing service you? can count on once youกฏve had the baby and your hands return to normal, or you can opt to use a cheap substitute ring on the day and purchase the real deal after youกฏve given birth. You can even incorporate your real wedding band into your ceremony by wearing it around your neck, having it passed around for guests to channel their good wishes into, or by attaching it to the ring cushion next to your mock ring during the ceremony.

Place importance on the food?

In a world where even the most basic of กฎchicken or steak?กฏ options can stump overwhelmed brides, working out a menu that accommodates pregnancy can be stressful. If youกฏre holding your wedding at a reputable venue or have engaged quality caterers, this shouldnกฏt be a problem if you alert them to your กฎdelicate conditionกฏ at your first appointment as most are aware of pregnancy diet requirements. For additional peace of mind, you could also print out and give them copies of this Food Safety During Pregnancy?by the NSW Food Authority which outlines what you can and cannot safely eat.

Serve alcohol at the reception if you wish, but remember to bring along a couple of bottles of alcohol-free wine for yourself.

Make it lavish, keep it quiet. It's entirely up to you! Here's a quick clip of what lavish looks like.

Remember baby on the day

Admittedly, youกฏre probably not going to get buck wild on the day, but taking time out to rest and think about your little one will help you last the distance. To help with this, aim to have a morning which not only means a late afternoon/early evening wrap-up, but less risk (and cost) attached to late-night eating, drinking and all-out partying.

Ensure you always have plenty of snacks and water within reach at all times, be it crackers and cheddar, bananas, sandwiches and nuts, and schedule breaks/catnaps between the ceremony, photo shoot and the reception. Then itกฏs a simple matter? of saying กฎI doกฏ, eating your body weight in carbs and protein and heading back to your hotel to sink into that glorious bubble bath youกฏve been dreaming about.

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