Hi Brides-to-Be,

Today I had a bride visit who was after an off-the-rack gown — something with long sleeves and within a modest budget, as she’s planning a small, intimate wedding. Even so, she still wanted to look and feel amazing in her dress.

This bride has a full bust and a size 12 figure, which many boutiques struggle to fit properly without extensive alterations. I pulled out three dresses — two were sale pieces, and one was from my main collection. After trying them on, she said something that really stood out:

“Every dress you put on worked for me.”

She told me she had visited a well-known Sydney bridal store beforehand. Despite the glowing reviews and lovely staff, none of the dresses fit her correctly — they needed so many alterations that she was left confused.

She especially appreciated that I’m not only a boutique owner, but an in-house seamstress. When she showed me the dress she liked from Sydney, I was shocked at the fit issues — especially in the bust. Their suggestion to “use lace from the train” to lift and cover the bust simply wouldn’t have worked structurally or aesthetically.

While great customer service is important, nothing replaces technical knowledge when it comes to fitting a busty bride. You need someone who understands both how a gown is constructed and how it can be reshaped to flatter your body— not just someone reading off a script.

Below, you can see the difference between the dress recommended at the Sydney store (right photo) and one of mine (left photo). Both dresses still need altering — but one already fits her body with much more support and elegance.

Remember: fit should never be an afterthought — especially when you’ve got curves to celebrate.

– Connie xo

Owner & Seamstress, Accapella Bridal