From the beginning, I always envisioned myself getting married later in life. My focus was on establishing my career, which naturally pushed back the timeline for marriage and children. It seemed inevitable that these milestones would occur simultaneously at a certain age. Neither my family nor I were particularly concerned about the order of marriage and pregnancy, making my engagement at 46 a somewhat predictable event.
With plans for IVF treatment before the wedding, I knew I had to factor in the possibility of being pregnant on my big day when planning the ceremony. However, having imagined countless scenarios throughout my life, I had a clear idea of what I wanted, not only for a regular wedding dress but also for a maternity wedding dress.
For decades, my dream wedding dress has been the one that closed out Gucci’s Spring/Summer 2002 collection. I loved its relaxed feel and the model’s soft waves. Knowing it was highly unlikely to find the dress in my size, let alone at all, I reached out to vintage fashion experts, Lynn Yeager and Gab Waller, to embark on a search.
As the owner of the Hero Shop, a select boutique in the San Francisco Bay Area, I have more access to designer brands than most. My work exposes me to a wide array of brands, and during a buying trip to Paris for the Spring/Summer 2024 collection, I stumbled upon The Row’s “Madleine” dress.
This stunning cotton mesh dress, adorned with draped details at the bust, captured my attention immediately. Its strapless column silhouette mirrored the Gucci dress I had envisioned, and I loved its inspiration – the relaxed feeling of wrapping a towel around yourself after a beach day. The dress also promised a flattering fit regardless of any potential changes in my body. Without hesitation, I placed an order for the dress, aiming for delivery a few weeks before my June wedding.
Two months before the big day, I discovered I was pregnant. The excitement of starting my maternity dress search quickly became tinged with a sense of urgency. Relying solely on The Row dress felt risky, so I decided to try on the cream-colored “Cecily” jacket and tailored pants from Attersee during a trunk show at Hero Shop.
The jacket, with its flattering neckline that accentuated my décolletage, and the wide-legged pants offered a modern, sophisticated, and slightly unconventional look. I instantly knew these pieces would be staples in my wardrobe for years to come. The jacket could be paired with denim for a dinner outing, while the pants, with an ivory cashmere sweater, would be perfect for events.
When I learned that art advisor Barbara Guggenheim had worn a similar Attersee pant style at her wedding, I was drawn to the sleek elegance of the suit.
In April, I received the incredible news that my IVF treatment had been successful. This meant I would be 13 weeks pregnant by the time of my wedding. While my belly wouldn’t be significantly noticeable yet, my waistline would likely shrink, and my bust would be larger. However, I expected my overall body shape to remain relatively unchanged. Nevertheless, I made a point of trying on the Attersee suit weekly to ensure a perfect fit.
By mid-May, the suit still buttoned comfortably, though I needed to loosen the jacket around the bust as it started to expand. Adjustments were minimal. However, by the end of May, my body began to transform dramatically, altering the fit of the suit. While I appeared slim from the front, a side view revealed a more rounded shape. My waistline had the same circumference as my bust, but my belly was still subtly emerging.
To add to the pressure, the weather was heating up. Wearing a long-sleeved suit made of virgin wool and silk in temperatures exceeding 30°C seemed unrealistic. The realization brought a wave of panic.
The Row dress hadn’t arrived yet, so I began searching for a white dress on Net-a-Porter and Matchesfashion. Nothing caught my eye. To prepare for the rehearsal dinner, I purchased the “Sicily” dress from Khaite, also available at Hero Shop, and the “Petra” skirt from High Sport for the welcome dinner. The dress featured a loose-fitting camisole silhouette, while the skirt was a gingham check with a comfortable elastic waistband. These two additions provided a measure of relief.
Fortunately, The Row dress arrived just in time. As expected, the bodice draped beautifully, offering a comfortable and supportive fit for my growing belly. While I needed to loosen the bustline, alterations were quick and effortless.
On the day of my wedding, I was utterly relaxed. Instead of forcing myself into a dress, I had chosen one that fit me perfectly, allowing me to move freely and enjoy every moment. Wearing my ideal maternity wedding dress, my special day was a truly happy one.
