Drop a Dress Size

It really depends on how you carry your weight. Dresses are usually more forgiving than pants though. Expect to lose no more than 1-2lbs per week.

Also be warned the people in the wedding fashion industry are sick *kitten*. A size 16 wedding dress is probably like a size 8 normal dress. At least that was my experience last time I got a bridesmaid dress - the dress I bought was so far above my actual size it was ridiculous.

It really depends on how you carry your weight. Dresses are usually more forgiving than pants though. Expect to lose no more than 1-2lbs per week.

Also be warned the people in the wedding fashion industry are sick *kitten*. A size 16 wedding dress is probably like a size 8 normal dress. At least that was my experience last time I got a bridesmaid dress - the dress I bought was so far above my actual size it was ridiculous.

I don't know that all brands are too small. I was a size 6 when I got married and the size 10 wedding dress (only size they had was gigantic on me). I had to gain weight and luckily it was a corset back they had to make it as tight as possible...

Depending on your height and build, you probably don't have to lose 30-40 lbs to drop a dress size, but you do need to be aware that formal wear sizing can be much smaller than regular sizing, especially when you currently wear "Plus" or "women's" sized clothing. As an example, I can currently wear a size 18-20 in a lot of stuff, however I cannot even begin to zip my wedding dress, which was also a size 18. When I wore it, it was very tight, and I weighed 40 lbs less than I do now and I was in a standard size 14 (not Plus or Women's size).

I was very happy with my wedding look and pictures, though, so I would focus on finding a dress that is flattering and makes you feel good now and get the size you need, not the size you hope to be. It would be so much better to feel beautiful and happy with your dress instead of stressed and disappointed if you don't make your arbitrary goal.