Marriage
About the Marriage section
The Marriage section of The Body Optimist is for anyone planning a wedding or celebrating an anniversary: wedding dresses for every body type, outfits, hairstyles, planning and stories of ceremonies. It comes with one conviction: you celebrate your big day in the body you have, with no mandatory diet and no single model to follow.
What you’ll find in the Marriage section
- Wedding dresses in every size: plus-size bridal styles suited to every body type, alternatives to white and unexpected outfits such as bridal jumpsuits.
- Beauty and accessories: hair, makeup that lasts all day, comfortable shoes and choosing a ring, with ideas for wedding hairstyles for long hair.
- Planning: budget, DIY wedding decorations, making room for children, family tensions and day-of surprises.
- Wedding anniversaries: what each milestone traditionally stands for, from paper to diamond, and ideas to celebrate it.
- Stories and society: ceremonies that break the mold, inclusive weddings, and the beauty pressure placed on brides and bridesmaids.
How do you choose a wedding dress for your body type?
The right wedding dress is the one you feel like yourself in, and your size doesn’t change that. Before booking fittings, ask bridal shops what size range their sample gowns come in, so you’re not stuck trying on dresses that are too small and held together with clips. Try several silhouettes: an empire waist, fitted under the bust and then flowing, gives you plenty of freedom to move; an A-line balances hips and shoulders; a mermaid gown highlights curves; a soft sheath moves with you as you walk. Think about lingerie, and about comfort when sitting and dancing. Start shopping several months ahead, since alterations often take several appointments. And nothing says you have to wear white, or even a dress.
Our approach
For us, getting married is one choice among many: a civil partnership, living together without marrying or staying single are just as valid. When it comes to wedding prep, we reject the “shedding for the wedding” countdown so often pushed on brides-to-be: the dress gets altered to fit the body, not the other way around. Our articles feature brides of all sizes, couples from all walks of life and ceremonies that look like the people getting married.
Where to start
- Why the perfect marriage doesn’t exist: and why that’s actually good news.
- Beyond the white dress: the color more and more brides are dreaming of.
- Making your own wedding dress: the DIY approach inspiring brides who want something truly theirs.
- A wedding on your own terms: the bride who served pasta and broke with convention.
Frequently asked questions
What are the traditional wedding anniversary gifts?
Each anniversary has a traditional theme, usually a material that grows more precious over time: paper for the first year, cotton for the second, leather for the third, wood for the fifth, tin for the 10th, china for the 20th, silver for the 25th, pearl for the 30th, ruby for the 40th, gold for the 50th and diamond for the 60th. Lists vary by country, and modern versions exist.
Do you need to lose weight before your wedding?
No. Nothing requires you to change your body to get married, and crash diets before the big day can bring fatigue, stress and the yo-yo effect. It’s better to choose a dress that fits your body as it is now and schedule a final fitting a few weeks before the ceremony. Sleep, regular meals and time to breathe will serve you far better.
Marriage, civil union or living together: what’s the difference?
All three can frame a shared life, but legal protections differ by type of union and by country. In many places, marriage gives spouses stronger rights in areas such as inheritance, survivor benefits or shared property, while other partnerships may offer fewer protections but can be ended more simply. Before deciding, check the laws where you live or ask a family law attorney.
Keep exploring: find all our sex and relationship topics, everyday couple life in Love life, and desire and pleasure, honeymoon included, in Sexuality.