All brides, and we repeat, all brides deserve to feel special on their wedding day. Regardless of shape and size, no bride should have to settle for anything less than their dream gown. That is why at RC, we’re all in on curve. For curvier brides, the wedding dress shopping experience can be, simply put, disheartening. A store visit, which begins with excitement and high hopes quickly turns sour as the showroom floor is lined with nothing but sample dresses that are many sizes too small. No matter how gorgeous a design is, how are you supposed to say yes to your dream dress without even trying it out? This is a theme that runs constant for many curvier brides. At RC, we’re committed to change this trend by promoting size-inclusivity and empowering all brides to feel special on their wedding day. In our boutiques, you won’t find a small section in the corner of the store with the plus-sized gowns. Rather, you’ll find Australia’s largest collection of plus-sized gowns, available to try on – we are proud to offer 60+ plus-sized gowns, with many new styles arriving each month. Click here to view our curve range. Plus-size bride Jo Buckingham reveals that after the excitement of her engagement subsided, a sense of dread took over as she thought about the prospect of finding that perfect, size 18 dress. Watch the video below to see Jo’s journey to becoming a #RCRealBride. Our commitment to curve is also made possible by the work of our incredible designers. Ashley Graham is a model and body activist with over 12.5 million followers on Instagram. Like many curvier brides, Ashley was disgruntled by the lack of options available to her as a plus-size bride. This experience led Ashley to a collaboration with Pronovias to develop a plus-size collection available in sizes 0 to 34. The Ashley Graham x Pronovias collection is exclusively available in Melbourne at Raffaele Ciuca. Another exclusive supplier of RC, Maggie Sottero is also doing great work on the curve front. Their latest collection features princess-y ballgowns, sexy fit-and-flares, effortless sheaths and classic A-lines, all designed with the plus-sized bride in mind. Check out their “10 Wedding Dresses for Curvy Brides” blog post, as answered by plus-sized fashionista Whitney Brown here. TOP TIPS FOR OUR PLUS-SIZED BRIDES #1 – Choose a comfortable gown In addition to picking a gown that makes you look great; we recommend picking a style that makes you feel great. A few questions to ask yourself are: can I move with freedom? Am I able to have a boogie? Can I sit on a chair easily? Does walking feel natural? If the dress looks great and you answered yes to all of the above questions, its likely you’ve found the one! #2 – Budget An important consideration for all brides is budget. If you have a firm or flexible figure in mind, be sure to try on styles that don’t overshoot this figure by too much. Be sure to let our expert stylists know if you have a budget in mind and they’ll be able suggest some stunning designs. At RC, we don’t believe it plus-size surcharges so you can rest assured knowing that there won’t be any pesky additional costs. #3 – Undergarments for the big day Undergarments are an important element of your wedding-day attire that can help you to achieve that perfect look. Whether it be extra support, coverage or a flatter figure that you’re after, make sure to attend your appointment wearing the appropriate undergarments. #4 – It’s just a number Pay no attention to the size number of your dress. It’s common for people of all sizes (not just plus sizes) to purchase a dress that is one or two sizes bigger than they’re ‘standard’. Instead, go with the size that is most comfortable and fits best on your body. Our alterations team can help achieve that perfect, sculpted fit once your dress arrives but keep in mind that if the dress is too small, the alterations process becomes much more complex and expensive. #5 – Approach your appointment with an open mind On the hanger, it can be difficult to see the true beauty of a gown. The same can be said of gown images that are viewed online. If your favourite silhouette or fabric isn’t as flattering as you originally thought it may be, be sure to try a radically different style. Trying on a style that you wouldn’t normally opt for may catch you off guard and elicit the feeling that feeling that “I’ve just found the one”. If you’re ready to find your dream plus-sized gown with RC, click here to book an appointment. If you have any questions, feel free to call or email us.