20 Wedding Dresses for Bigger Busts, Plus Pro Shopping Tips for Finding the Right Fit

At the start of your dress search, you may find yourself hunting for wedding dresses for a big bust, or a short torso or long legs or a small waist. But it's not that simple—nor should it be. "Every bride's journey to saying 'yes' is different because every bride's body is different," says Julie Mersine Romeli, owner and head designer of top Chicago bridal salon Mira Couture. She's been in the industry for almost 20 years, doing everything from consulting to design, and has helped thousands of brides find their wedding dresses. "There are so many factors we consider when helping our brides look and feel their very best," she says. "We approach brides as a whole, thinking about how her bust proportions work with her figure and which dress shapes will complement her best. At the end of the day, the most important thing is that the bride truly feels beautiful." Here, Mersine Romeli offers tips, tricks and favorite wedding dresses for brides with large busts, gleaned over years of working with brides and creating for them. (Her top tip? Work with an experienced bridal consultant. You can find one near you on The Knot Vendor Marketplace). But remember: Only you know what you feel best in. So, while we're here to offer advice, suggestions and shopping tips, take everything with a grain of salt. This is your day, after all.

• Choosing the Best Wedding Dress For Big Busts
• The Best Wedding Dresses For Big Busts

Choosing the Best Wedding Dress For Big Busts

The easiest and most fool-proof way to choose the right dress for your body and style is to work with someone who does it day in and day out: a skilled consultant at a trusted bridal salon (find salons in your area on The Knot Vendor Marketplace). "Be honest and open with your consultant about your expectations for your dress, how you want to look in it and your comfort level," Mersine Romeli says. "There are so many unique routes you and your wedding dress team can take to make sure your bust looks perfectly supported, proportionate and flattered. Embrace and trust the process and everyone involved." Here, she offers a few elements to consider.

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Neckline and Straps

"A strap is immensely helpful for brides who need more support on top," Mersine Romeli says. "You want your chest to look lifted and held, so some styles to avoid would be those that present challenges like low, plunging necklines and backless gowns. While those are beautiful design elements, the dress won't be able to hold and support your bust as well as other styles can." It's all about balance. "Larger chests typically look best when complemented instead of covered, so it's best to avoid styles that are too high and closed up at the neckline." She especially suggests square or V-necks, modified sweethearts and notched strapless necklines.

Silhouette

"Look at your figure as a whole to choose which parts you want to accentuate. If you have a larger chest but are slim through the waist and want to highlight your natural curves, a mermaid or fit-and-flare would do wonders for you," Mersine Romeli says. (She adds a pro tip: "Work with your consultant to figure out exactly where the flare of the dress needs to start to elongate your torso and length.") For petite brides with larger busts, try a fitted or soft A-line skirt.

Built-In Cups

Most wedding dresses have built-in cups; they're great from a support standpoint but, remember, they can be altered. "When there is a defined cup, like in a corset bodice with an under-bust seam line, we advise women with larger chests to do a bust cup slightly smaller than their true measurement," Mersine Romeli says. "The bigger the cup, the more emphasized that area will be."

To Bra, or Not to Bra?

Going braless may not be an option in everyday wear—but many bridal dresses are designed to let you go braless. "With more structured fabrics, letting the dress along with its cups and boning do the work is usually the best option," Mersine Romeli says. "When it comes to softer, more drapey fabrics, a simple longline strapless bra or bustier undergarments can be a great solution." There are more options: "Something newer, but equally as effective is breast tape," she adds. "Breast tape offers the support and lift that brides with bigger chests need without being seen in the back, the center front or below the bust; it can sometimes be the magical solution."

Alterations and Tailoring

If the existing cups aren't working for you, alter them. "The majority of wedding gowns have some form of cup built in, but it's important to know that there is work that can be done in alterations to help fit a bride's dress to her bust," Mersine Romeli says. "Utilizing the cups that already come in the gown by adding extra support with boning helps mitigate the issue of additional cups or needing a bra, both of which would draw even more attention to that area."

The same goes for every other part of the dress. "What's fantastic about bridal is the ability to customize the size of your dress," Mersine Romeli adds. "So many designers offer custom bust measurements, meaning your dress—the one you order that is specially made for you—will fit and flatter you closer than ever." Find a skilled tailor or a salon that offers in-house alterations. "At Mira Couture, we're able to marry the consultation and alterations processes to help brides figure out the best options for breast support." (Pro tip: Make sure you leave enough time for alterations in your dress-shopping timeline!)

The Best Wedding Dresses For Big Busts

What is the best style wedding dress for big busts? There's no one simple answer. "It's not all about the size of [the bride's] chest," Mersine Romeli advises. "There are many different types of busts, different shapes and different in nature—some are perkier on their own, or softer and need added support." And then, of course, there's the style you gravitate toward, trends to consider and the formality of the wedding dress code. The only way to find the best bridal gowns for big busts is to try them on (bonus points for working with a consultant and finding out what supportive alterations can be made). In the meantime, though, start here: Our list has a variety of styles for every type of wedding—and every type of bride.

Eden Aharon Micol Dress

Photo: Eden Aharon

For brides looking to make a statement, Israeli designer Eden Aharon is a must-see. In this wedding dress for a big bust, the statement comes in the bejeweled drop Basque waist and two bejeweled wings jutting up from the strapless bodice. As for support, that comes from the visible boning. "Something helpful for brides with bigger breasts is extra boning in the bodice," Mersine Romeli says. "Whether it's visible boning like in a corset gown, or invisible and purely for support, the effect is incredible."

Jenny by Jenny Yoo Portia Wedding Gown

Photo: Anthropologie

Thick straps and square neck, check. Fitted, curve-hugging silhouette, check. This wedding dress for a bigger bust has all the supportive elements with a hint of romance: Check out the floral illusion inset in the scoop back and super subtle lace detailing along the court-length train.

Size Range: 0-26

Olivia Bottega Oceania Gown

Photo: Olivia Bottega

If a romantic fairy tale is the wedding vibe, nothing beats a ball gown with off-the-shoulder sleeves—these are detachable!—and the modified sweetheart is a great wedding dress neckline for a big bust. "Larger chests typically look best when complemented instead of covered, so it's best to avoid styles that are too high and closed up at the neckline," Mersine Romeli says. "Breaking up the bust area with a more open neckline accentuates a bride's bust without adding extra heaviness." Plus, the pleated bodice has a lace-up back for additional support.

Size Range: 2-22 or custom size (additional $250)

Dana Harel Jolene Dress

Photo: Dana Harel Design

One of Mersine Romeli's top bridal dresses for big busts, this Dana Harel gown is a work of art—which works in its favor, figure-wise. "Something that can help minimize the appearance of large cups are details like lace and beaded applique," Mersine Romeli says. "Choosing a dress with this detail already at the bust area, or having some added during alterations, helps take some notice away from the size of the cup itself and redirects attention to the dress and how beautiful the bride looks in it."

Bridal by ELOQUII Mixed Tulle Gown

Photo: ELOQUII

With its fairly new bridal gown collection, plus-size retailer Eloquii specializes in wedding dresses for large busts—and while some designs are classic and clean, this one stands out from the all-white crowd. On the outside, layers of pretty pink tulle are tiered down a floor-length skirt; inside, a power mesh corset designed to be worn without a bra has built-in underwire and boning.

Size Range: 14-28

Justin Alexander Clean Plus-Size Ball Gown with Deep V Neckline

Photo: Justin Alexander

Though V-necks can be controversial when it comes to wedding dresses for busty brides, this one was made to address the body type with a supportive bodice, wide waistband and extra-thick straps. Aesthetically, it's the best of both worlds: In contrast to the clean top, the floaty organza skirt is pretty and ethereal.

Lulus My Whole Heart White Long Sleeve Wrap Dress

Photo: Lulus

Bridal or otherwise, wrap styles are known to be universally flattering, and so naturally they make good wedding dresses for big busts. That said, the style is more informal than other bridal silhouettes; we love it for a courthouse elopement or casual backyard wedding.

Size Range: XS-3X

All Who Wander Adele Dress

Photo: The Knot

Boho brides, fear not: Though the aesthetic conjures up images of unsupported slips and caftans, you have plenty of options for a boho wedding dress for a large bust. Case in point: All Who Wander's Adele dress has a fitted bodice and supportive square neckline, flattering subtle A-line skirt and puff sleeves made from a unique open-eyelet lace. You even get an open back here, supported by a top-button keyhole.

Neta Dover Kate Dress

Photo: See This Dress

The best wedding dress style for big busts varies based on skirt, silhouette and even neckline, but strapless styles are known to be flattering on a wide variety of body types. Mersine Romeli loves this one in particular for brides with large busts: It has a pleated V-neck bodice, dramatic and on-trend bow at the back and sultry thigh-high slit. Wear it with or without the embellished puff sleeves, or use them to change up your look throughout the day.

Bronx & Banco Fiona Bridal Gown

Photo: Revolve

"A strong trend in wedding gowns right now is a sheer front area," Mersine Romeli says; you can see it here in this fun high-low wedding dress for a large chest. "With [sheer panels], the best solution is usually breast tape that helps a woman pull her breasts up and away from the center. This sort of support garment is much easier to hide than classic bras and bustiers, which rely on straps and clips that can be easily seen."

Size Range: XS-XL

Olivia Bottega Airis Dress

Photo: Olivia Bottega

If you got it, flaunt it: This dress gives sophisticated bridal a sexy spin—and it's a beautiful wedding gown for big busts. It has the look of an open back (typically not supportive enough for big busts)—but with support in the form of a sheer panel. There's one across the front, too, and lace that draws attention away from the built-in cups. Airis makes an especially stunning wedding dress for big bust and small waist figures, but truly flatters all bodies.

Size Range: 0-20 or custom size

Paloma Blanca Style P5100

Photo: Paloma Blanca

Figuring out the best neckline for a large bust is one thing, but don't forget about the rest of the gown. "Other ways to balance out a larger bust happen lower than the chest," Mersine Romeli says. "Try a dropped or Basque waist to really elongate the torso and flatter the figure." She loves this drop-waist dress by Canadian label Paloma Blanca and carries it in her salon.

Stella York Plus-Size Style 7788

Photo: The Knot

Mersine Romeli loves a notched strapless neckline on bridal gowns for big busts, and this one fits the bill with a touch of sparkle. The fresh grand satin skirt is just right, too. "Beautifully flattering soft A-line and circle cut A-line gowns bring attention to the natural waist without being too full, and offer something different from fitted gowns," Mersine Romeli says.

Grace & Ivory Tristan Jumpsuit

Photo: Grace & Ivory

Mersine Romeli highly recommends working with a bridal consultant—but if shopping online is necessary, a try-at-home option is the next best thing. Grace + Ivory offers exactly that—and while they have a stunning selection of wedding dress styles for big busts, we love this fun jumpsuit as a unique alternative. It's built with breast cups and boning in the supported V bodice and has optional chiffon sleeves for a more covered look.

Size Range: Made to measure

Kim Kassas Couture Isabelle Dress

Photo: Kim Kassas Couture

Corsetry is back in a big way, and that's a plus for brides as the style is supportive and makes great wedding dresses for bigger busts. Newer to the market and taking corsetry by storm is Kim Kassas. This style—one of Mersine Romeli's top picks—features a structured lace-up scoop-neck corset with floral appliques and pearl embellishments over a taffeta skirt. It's for the more-is-more bride; style it with bold accessories.

Dessy Group Square Neck Sateen Midi in Ivory

Photo: Nordstrom

Midis are having a moment, and in bridal, they're a chic choice for daytime or garden weddings. This one has a structured square neckline, a favorite element in bridal dresses for big busts. Lean into the vintage feel of this look with gloves and a pearl necklace, or modernize it with statement heels and a bejeweled bag. (Note: Many reviewers and Nordstrom stylists recommend sizing up, especially for larger busts.)

Size Range: 0-18

Le Blanc Valentina Dress

Photo: The Knot

Mermaid is one of the best shape wedding dresses for big busts, and this simple yet stunning gown allows the flattering silhouette to be the main focus. It's available three ways: The strapless and embellished long-sleeve options are pretty, but the wide-straps style offers the most support for big busts and versatility for styling.

Willowby by Watters Drizzle Floral Wedding Gown

Photo: Anthropologie

This dress has us swooning: It's ethereal, airy, romantic and oh-so-on-trend with its sheer tie straps and floral embellishments on light organza. It's also supportive. The bodice boning is semi-visible, and straps can be self-tied tighter or looser.

Size Range: 0-26W

Allure Bridals Disney Fairy Tale Weddings Snow White Dress

Photo: The Knot

Inspired by the princess herself, this dress is rife with fairy-tale details: A demure bow at the waist, pretty cap sleeves and feminine floral appliques. It's a great wedding dress for a large bust, especially for brides who want that extra jolt of romance, with a bit of balance: The skirt has a subtle A-line in front, while the back is all drama with a long train.

Pronovias Aspen Dress

Photo: The Knot

There's something so elegant about a long-sleeve wedding dress, and this style—aptly named Aspen as a favorite for winter weddings—has sophistication in spades. It also offers support for big busts with a subtle square neckline and high keyhole back.