This is a skirt you wear underneath the gown to make the skirt more full, and there are many styles to add that volume to the area you desire it to be.

Buying

The best shape wear and the most recommended I have had my brides rave about are Honey Love and Skims. With that in mind, these are defiantly more pricy if it is something you plan to only wear once. If you wear shape wear regularly, then I personally highly recommend these two. If you are looking for a more affordable options, then feel free to look around and see what is available locally or online. My one major suggestion is to make sure that there is lingerie elastic around any opening that might ride up such as around the thighs. Lingerie elastic is an elastic that grips the skin, you see this a lot on strapless bras and dresses.

Is it worth it?

If it is not visible and it hides skin or bulges that make you feel uncomfortable? Yes. If it makes you feel mentally secure but makes no visual difference? Absolutely yes. If it makes you feel uncomfortable and less happy? No.

99% of the time alterations can help make sure your chest looks how you would like it to, whether that is helping to boost the girls up or minimize them. I do have cups available to purchase that I sew into the gown to ensure the best fit.

With that in mind, if your chest is larger we can add cups and/or additional boning to the dress to allow for more support. Making sure the sides are tight enough can also make a world of difference. On occasion, I do recommend buying a “strapless low back long line bra” to help cut either cost, or because the girls need the extra support. This is a bra that has more hooks'/loops on the back and is almost similar to a stretchy corset.

Things to keep in mind. How low is the back of your dress? Is it strapless? Add these keywords to your search if necessary.

Sweating

Tip 1. Deodorant- make sure it is antiperspirant, if it doesn’t have that word it will not help with sweat.

Tip 2. Carpe No-Sweat Face Lotion. It comes in an orange bottle and is a game changer. Personally, me and my husband both love everything from this brand. Please try it before the day of- never trust any new products you have not used multiple times before the day of the wedding.

Overheating

Option 1. Fans are great, fans with misting functions are not unless you are okay with your makeup melting off.

Option 2. Thigh strap with a pouch with mini cooling packs. Search for “white garter belt for phone” for the thigh strap. They have them in nude, white, or lace in various styles. I recommend to make sure it has grip on the inside so it doesn’t slide off. They also have better quality ones that are made for diabetics to hold an insulin pump that are available. Search “mini cooling packs multi” for the magical cooling packs. Put them all in the freezer and swap out as needed.

Option 3. Cooling patches. These are cold at any store that has a decent sized pharmacy. If you look it up on google there are many brands and types. Just make sure to try a couple before the day of to make sure your skin doesn’t have a bad reaction. Putting them in areas with high blood flow helps as well such as inner thighs, lower back

Bride

• Dress

• Shoes

• Panties (nude not white)

Optional items if using

• Petticoat

• Veil

• Jewelry

• Socks/tights

• Shape wear

Easy access- smaller bag

• Mini tissues

• Prescription meds (anxiety, inhaler, est)

• Scissors, pliers

• Pen, pencil, post it’s

• Baby wipes

• Hand sanitizer

• Lighter

• Safety pins- most important thing!

Electronics

• Charging cables

• Charging block

• Extension cord/s

• Batteries (optional- check decorations)

Food and drink

• Liquid iv/ electrolyte packs

• Mints (not gum it’s a nightmare)

• Granola bars

• Bottled water

• Energy drinks

• Straws (to not mess up lipstick)

Sewing/garment fix

• Sewing kit- white thread, thread in bridesmaid dress color, hand needles, mini scissors

• Safety pins

• Static spray

• Chalk- white: to cover stains on dress- faster then stain remover. Doesn’t need time to dry

• Tide pen

• Hem tape (iron on to hem in a pinch)

• Lint roller

• Steamer (cheese cloth option to catch drips)

• White hand towel (to blot stains)

• Iron

• Mini iron board (or towel if you don’t have one)

Beauty

• Earring backs

• Nail glue

• Q tips

• Oil blot pads

• Nipple pasties

• Boob tape

• Press on nail backups  (if using)

• Hand mirror

• Perfume

• Clear nail polish

• Shoeshine (optional)

• Shoe inserts (back of heal and toe

• Flip flops (don’t hurt yourself if you want to take off your shoes)

• Heal protector (blister bandaids are great)

Bathroom

• Toothbrush/paste or mini disposables

• Floss or flossers

• Pads/ Tampons

• Dry shampoo

• Electric razor or razor with cream

• Lotion

• Mouth wash mini

• Nail clipper, file, tweezers

• Body glide (magic for chub rub)

• Anti-perspirant  (make sure deodorant says this or it won’t help with sweatChapstick

Makeup

• Lipstick (bride day of-touch ups)

• Setting spray/ powder

• Lash glue + Lashes

• Makeup wipes

• Makeup sponges

Hair

• Bobby pins

• Hair spray

• Hair gel

• Brush/ combs

• Hair ties and mini elastics

Meds

• Allergy meds, Benadryl

• Neosporin and bandaids

• Advil, Tylenol, Aspirin

• Tums, Pepto Bimal, Alka Seltzer

• Ace bandage

• Visine Eye Drops

• Contact Rewet Drops

• Cough Drops

• Dayquil, Mucinex, decongestant

• Rubbing Alcohol

• Lidocaine spray (helps numb feet)

Outdoors

• Cooling patches (optional)

• Pocket fan

• Bug spray

• Sunscreen lotion

• 2 clear umbrellas (if it rains)

Coordinator kit

• Garbage bags (if venue doesn’t provide)

• Floral tape/wire and boutonniere pins

• Golf tees (to mark where people stand if outside)

• Goo gone

• E6000

• Fishing line/ zip ties

• Duct tape +packing tape

• Windex wipes, multipurpose wipes, paper towels