20 Wedding Dresses for Big Busts: Stylish Gowns That Provide Support
Have a big bust? You'll want to find a wedding dress that makes you feel comfortable, confident and secure – with a big dose of sexiness too. These are the best!
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If you're blessed with a large bust, wedding dress shopping becomes a little more tricky. It's very common for wedding dresses to come with in-built support, but this isn't always enough for those looking for a wedding dress to suit a big bust. Backless, boho wedding dresses and deep, belly-button-flashing plunges are all over Pinterest, but they don't do much for brides who need dresses that cover thick bra straps or for those who need extra support.
If you've walked into a wedding dress shop and been faced with only spaghetti straps, sideboob-baring cuts and backless designs, it's understandable to feel some trepidation. But armed with the right knowledge and some curve-supporting style ideas, you don't need to worry.
Whether you want to wear a trusted bra with your dress or have a seamstress sew in some extra hidden support, our tips will help you find the right gown for your body shape.
Below we've also listed 20 of our favourite wedding dresses for large busts. You'll also be able to get great advice from your local bridal boutique and especially from plus-size bridal boutiques - they'll have lots of styles that suit large busts and their seamstresses can work wonders doing alterations that fit a dress perfectly to your shape.
The Best Wedding Dresses for Large Busts
1. Selene Dress – Morilee
This all-over Chantilly lace ballgown will make you feel like you're in a fairy-tale! The sequin net is covered in embroidered, crystal beaded appliqués that will shine and shimmer down the aisle and under dance floor lights. The gentle, illusion plunge will show off your bust to best effect and the corset back will keep you feeling secure.
- Expert Take: This dress is perfect for outdoor weddings and those with plenty of twinkling fairy lights. It’s made for whimsical style weddings.
- Sizing: Contact stockists for details
2. Cailey Dress – Suzanne Neville
Don't be afraid to have an embellishment that draws attention to your chest; the idea is not to try and hide your beautiful bust, but celebrate it as its best! We love this fashionable bow on the front of this sultry Suzanne Neville dress. The straps are also big enough to hide a bra, and a good seamstress could make them even wider if needed.
- Expert Take: The bow trend is huge this year. As well as wearing a bow on your beautiful dress, tie in the theme with satin bows on Champagne coupes and candles.
- Sizing: Contact stockists for details
3. Style M686 – Allure Modest
Embellished with pretty leaves and vines on the bodice of this cap-sleeved ballgown, you'll feel like a princess in this dress. It has a wonderful chiffon train that will flow beautifully as you walk.
- Expert Take: Wear your hair up if choosing this stunning gown, as it will let your guests see more of the beautifully detailed neckline.
- Sizing: Contact stockists for details
4. Gigi Dress – Suzanne Neville
We're huge fans of a square neckline: they're timeless yet totally on-trend. This beautiful Suzanne Neville dress also features 3D textured floral appliques for a unique look. There's an optional overskirt too which transforms the Gigi dress into a ballgown and gives you a different look for the ceremony and reception.
- Expert Take: Pretty and ultra feminine, wear the Gigi dress with a delicate necklace and drop earrings to accentuate your neckline.
- Sizing: Contact stockists for details
5. Albany Dress – Maggie Sottero
The Albany gown is another dress with a fabulous overskirt/train you can add. This nature-inspired dress is covered in sequined lace with floral, beaded motifs. Buttons down the back add a vintage vibe while the square neckline adds a classic touch. You can opt to line the bodice which means it can easily cover a bra.
- Expert Take: This nature inspired dress is a real showstopper. If you fancy eloping to the mountains or lakes, choose this design and feel at one with the beauty of your surroundings.
- Sizing: 2-30
6. Masurian Dress – Pronovias
If you'd like something high-necked, then an illusion neckline is your best choice. This classic A-line silhouette is transformed by 3D floral appliques over a nude tulle bateau neckline. Those beautiful, textured flowers will cover your bust and look feminine and delicate.
- Expert Take: Always dreamed of wearing a strapless gown but it’s not that easy with your bigger bust? This mesh shoulder design is the perfect solution.
- Sizing: 2-34
7. Abby Dress – Pronovias
This fluid drapery is seriously sexy and is only enhanced by the thigh-high split, full chapel train and clever cowl back. It's a jaw-dropping design that will show off your cleavage, but balance it out with those on-trend batwing sleeves. It can be customised to close the slit if you're worried about too much flesh being on show.
- Expert Take: Order your dress at least 9 to 12 months before the wedding date to be sure you’ll get your dream gown on time.
- Sizing: 2-34
8. Sentiment Dress – Suzanne Neville
Once again, a one-shoulder dress proves a winner. This spectacular gown from the Modern Love Collection highlights and creates an hourglass figure that will leave you feeling so sexy and confident.
- Expert Take: A one shoulder dress is a great way to show a bit more skin, yet feel like you’re supported when you have a bigger bust.
- Sizing: Contact stockists for details
9. Style 88148 – Justin Alexander
Mature and elegant, this off-the-shoulder dress looks straight off the couture catwalk. It's clean and modern, with a gentle plunge that will look incredible on curvy bodies.
- Expert Take: This dress would fit right in with a destination wedding. Wear it with pearls around your neck for a real haute couture look.
- Sizing: Contact stockists for details
10. Style 88074PS – Justin Alexander
Oozing with old Hollywood glamour, this dress has a hand-beaded bodice that adds serious shimmer to your day. For more modesty, this dress can come with a raised neckline to give more support. That beading works beautifully with the simple chiffon skirt and makes a show-stopping look that will have all eyes on you for the right reasons.
- Expert Take: Serious shimmer, invisible look shoulders and a sexy V-neck and low back, this is the dress for you if you plan on a glitzy day.
- Sizing: Contact stockists for details
11. Adela Dress – Justin Alexander
This incredibly clean, classic dress is elevated by the all-over lace jacket that sits off the shoulder and gives some delicate and pretty coverage to your cleavage. This dress would easily work with an underwired strapless bra whether you wear the jacket or not (we love it as a cover-up for the ceremony!).
- Expert Take: Is your wedding at a cathedral or local church? You’ll look like a royal heading in in this gown.
- Sizing: Contact stockists for details
12. Delphine Satin Maxi Dress – Ghost
In a vintage design, this beautiful dress will not only stay nicely within a smaller budget, but is able to be worn year round. With a gentle v-neck, this dress has a bit of sexy to it (including the slit), but isn't too revealing.
- Expert Take: For brides looking to host a vintage inspired affair, pair this dress with a stunning hairpiece, mid length veil and delicate bouquet of flowers.
- Sizing: 8-20
13. Boho Wedding Dress Feilen with Sleeves – Olivia Bottega
Glitzy, princess like and with a full skirt, this Olivia Bottega gown is one of their boho styles. With a thin satin waistband, pearly fastening buttons and fluttery skirt, you will wow your guests in either of the dresses colours.
- Expert Take: As the dress is made to order, make sure to get professionally measured and order well in advance.
- Sizing: 4-24
14. Eve – Rixo
With a full, bias-cut skirt, finger hoop and flattering waistline, this is a beautiful gown from British designers Rixo. For those with bigger busts who are looking to wear something a little slinklier on their big day, this is a wonderful option. The rouleau buttons at the back of the dress add extra support, and the lined body will conceal a strapless bra.
- Expert Take: Wear your hair up with this dress, you'll really be able to show off your neckline in this beautiful halter design.
- Sizing: 6-16
15. Violet Embellished Bridal Dress Ivory – Monsoon
This is perhaps one of the most romantic looking dresses you could choose. With delicate, beaded embellishments and floral embroidery, Monsoon have knocked the ball out of the park in creating a timeless design. The sweetheart neckline and puff sleeves make the dress very feminine, but you'll feel well covered and secure.
- Expert Take: A very versatile dress, this gown wouldn't look out of place both at a smaller registry office affair or at a grand, country house.
- Sizing: 6-24
16. Laurette – Anna Sorrano
You may have assumed that a cowl back dress was out of the question when it comes to your wedding gown, for not all of them are able to support bigger busts comfortably. This beautiful design from Anna Sorrano is a sophisticated choice, and has tonnes of class about it. Your seamstress can work with you to sew in fixed cups to the front, so you will feel secure without a bra being on show.
- Expert Take: This dress would look stunning worn at a destination wedding with its floral and leaf detailing and sweeping design.
- Sizing: 8-20
17. Genista with Sleeves – Alena Leena
Designed for those who love beauty, glitz and glamour, this gown from designer Alena Leena features a subtle sweetheart neckline that will show off your bigger bust without you feeling like you're spilling out. The corset bodice and beaded lace detailing make this dress feel like a work of art. The straps are elasticated allowing for even more comfort.
- Expert Take: The trumpet sleeves are detachable, so you can have a slightly different look to your wedding dress in the evening.
- Sizing: Contact stockists for details
18. Lettie Wedding Dress – Whistles
Plain and simple, sometimes the most beautiful of dresses are perfect without too much frill and detail. This design will make a huge statement, and the fitted corset top will accentuate your silhouette without making you feel like your bust is restricted or popping out.
- Expert Take: Add a sparkly belt or some dazzling earrings if you feel like you need just a pop of glitz.
- Sizing: 4-20
19. BR1013 – Allure Bridal
A very classic design, it may not be fitting to a more modern wedding, but this elegant gown from Allure Bridal will make sure you look like royalty from head to toe. With a portrait neckline that will accentuate and conceal, yet not constrict your bust, a pleated basque waist, sequinned appliqués and tapered sleeves, you will look like you've just stepped out of the Regency period.
- Expert Take: This gown was actually designed in a collaboration with Netflix's Bridgerton series, so if you've been inspired by their grand balls for your wedding, look no further.
- Sizing: Contact stockists for details
20. Dollie – Anna Sorrano
Fancy something a little different? Try a tea length dress for your big day. Still complete with the classic lace and in brilliant white, this gown is made with tulle and lace, and features a scalloped hem, three quarter length sleeves and a flattering off the shoulder neckline that will show off your neckline, beautiful hair and makeup, whilst supporting your bust.
- Expert Take: Choose this gown if you're planning a summery affair that has vintage inspired décor and a very floral reception, you'll look just the part.
- Sizing: 8-18
Wedding Dress Styles to Avoid for Large Busts
It's important not to set yourself up for disappointment. If you're a DD+, don't add dresses to your Pinterest board that you know won't work for your shape. Look at your wardrobe and see what dresses and tops you already have that suit you and make this your starting point.
As well as your own wardrobe, there are some basic style rules that will help you out:
- Halterneck dresses and high neck styles emphasise a larger bust and can end up squashing your chest down, resulting in the dress looking stretched across your bust. It's best to avoid anything that constricts your chest.
- A low v-neck will show off a lot of cleavage – and of course, that's fine if you like showing off your cleavage, but if you want something a little modest, you'll should choose a dress with a little more coverage like a sweetheart neckline instead.
- Strapless dresses will often have built in support, but this may not be enough for your bust. Similarly, spaghetti straps often aren't supportive enough to lift your chest so you can end up with straps cutting into your shoulders or even snapping on the day as you dance. If you need to wear a supportive bra, then call ahead to some local dress boutiques and ask if they have dresses in store with thicker straps.
And What Styles to Choose Instead...
- Sweetheart, scooped and subtle v-necklines will show off your cleavage beautifully without you worrying you might fall out the top.
- Corset dresses are great for curvy brides as they firmly hold you in. While a corset will push your chest together and potentially give you even more cleavage, you can be pretty certain they will be secure all day.
- Balance a larger bust with a fuller skirt to give you an hourglass shape that keeps you in proportion.
- It's perfectly fine to buy a dress with sewn-in cups but you will likely need a good underwired bra too. This means choosing a dress with sufficient thickness straps and a high enough back that it will cover your bra strap.
5 Top Tips for Shopping for a Wedding Dress for Large Busts
1. Buy a great bra before you go dress shopping. Go to all your appointments with the bra you plan to wear on your wedding day and make sure it really does support you – this isn't the time to risk a strapless bra. No amount of boob tape will make you feel comfortable on the big day. Be prepared that a good bra can cut into your budget quite a lot!
2. Do your homework before you book a boutique appointment. Sadly, big busted brides need to be realistic about the standard bridal boutique experience. Dresses predominantly come in sample sizes, which are small and are not designed with anything larger than a B/C cup in mind. Call ahead and see if the boutique has larger sample sizes and dresses with straps and backs. Plus-size boutiques will have lots of choice.
3. Consider a bespoke dress. If you have the budget, you could go for a made to measure dress that's designed exactly for your needs. This is a pricey option, but there are designers who specialise in curvy figures and know how to make the most of your shape. They'll celebrate, enhance and honour your curves.
4. Think about a separate reception outfit. You might find 'the one' but be nervous that it won't hold up to a night of dancing. Well, how about changing into a second, more secure outfit for the evening? If you're just walking down the aisle and sitting to eat dinner, you might be able to risk something slightly less supportive. Then you can switch into a jumpsuit, cool tuxedo or more supportive dress to dance in - there are loads of inexpensive high street options.
5. Don't forget, straps can always be added! If you fall in love with a particular design but the straps aren't quite right, you can pay a seamstress to add different straps or add sleeves. It will add to your dress budget, but it could make your dream dress more practical.
Still looking for more wedding dress inspiration? We've got the most beautiful plus size wedding dresses here.