If you’ve recently set a date (congrats!) your mind is whirling with concerns – finding the perfect dress, selecting your bridal party, choosing the right venue, and obviously – looking AMAZING on your wedding day. When it comes to looks, there’s more than just the dress, jewelry, and shoes though.

Have you thought about what goes under your perfect dress? The bra you choose for your wedding day can have a dramatic effect on how your dress fits and how comfortable you are. Remember, it WILL be an amazing day, but also a long one, so it’s important you feel comfortable the whole time.

Tips To Choose the Best Bra for Your Wedding Day

• Consider the fabric of your dress – If your dress is made of silk  or a similar lightweight material, you’ll want to choose a bra that’s seamless and smooth so it won’t show through. If your dress is lacy or embroidered, you won’t be as limited on choices.
• Consider your comfort – Remember, you’ll be in your dress – and bra – until late into the night, so make sure the bra you choose is comfortable so you can wear for hours.
• Look at the style of your dress – There are many great bras to choose from, but it all depends on the style of your dress. Take a look at the most popular styles of dresses and what bras may be best for each:
  • Strapless – Try a strapless, convertible, longline, or adhesive bra for a no-show look under your dress.
  • Backless – An adhesive, backless bra or petals are the best choice for a backless dress. A good adhesive bra should give you support for at least 12 hours.
  • Sleeveless – Sleeveless dresses are a bit easier to find lingerie for. Try on a boned bustier, balconette, push-up, or seamless bra.
  • One-shoulder – If you’ve chosen a one-shoulder dress, shop for a strapless or convertible bra. A convertible bra will give you a bit more support, as you can make use of one strap.
  • Plunging neckline – If your dress has a v-neck or other type of plunging neckline, choose a balconette, plunge, or push-up bra.
• Get professionally fitted – This is especially important if you’ve never been fitted before. Visit a specialty boutique, online retailer or the lingerie section of a department store. Each of these places have women on staff who can help you get the right fit. They’ll measure:
  • Band size – This is done by wrapping a measuring tape under your arms, over the middle of your chest. Alternatively, they may wrap the tape across your rib cage. If the number is odd, it will be rounded up to the next even number.
  • Cup size – To do this, they’ll measure around the fullest part of your chest while keeping the tape straight across your back. Subtracting the band measurement from the cup measurement will give you your cup size. For example, if your band measurement was 34 inches and your cup was 36, this indicates a B cup size.
• Do the “dance” test – Remember, it’s your wedding day so it’s likely you’ll be dancing into the night. While trying on the bra, jump up and down a bit, or even try dancing in the dressing room. It sounds silly, but you’ll be thankful for it later.

Having comfortable and great-fitting lingerie on your wedding day is essential to your comfort. Keep in mind the above tips for a fantastic fit – and a fantastic wedding.

More Bra Fit Resources

The Bride’s Guide to Wedding Undergarments
Bra Fit Checklist
Bra Sizing Help
Bra Fit Q/A

About the Author:

Cindy Prosser is an underwear model, a freelance writer and a mom. Not necessarily in that order though. She believes that good fitting Wacoal bras can change the world – well, your world at least. She’s working to spread the “good-fit = happiness gospel” for Bare Necessities.