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...And before I offend anyone with that statement, let me just say I think strapless is GORGEOUS - on women who can pull it off.
Given that I have no boobs, there's just nothing in my anatomy that would hold up a strapless gown. I've never worn a strapless anything in my whole life, and I'd feel so horribly insecure if my gown was strapless I'd spend the whole wedding just pulling at it.
So, I'm going with a gown I love, but it's a V neck so it can safely rely on other body parts to keep it from falling off.
And I'm wondering - are there other brides out there who have gowns with straps? How did you decide to bravely go where no other bride seems to be going?
You're not alone! :-) My gown has a lace off the shoulder. I wanted to stand out a bit from all my friends gowns, which were lovely, but all strapless.
You are not the only one.
My gown has straps, very thin straps, but straps none the less. I knew all along that I wanted a dress with straps as I wanted a deep v-neck dress and strapless dresses don't come that way. Plus, it didn't feel like me to wear a strapless dress as I never wear them.
I think it is about knowing your body and knowing what looks best on you.
I just got so excited when I saw the title of your post! The only thing I know for certain about my dress is that it will have straps!! I have been told "oh but you can so do strapless" and I say "thank you, it's just not for me" ... and "but you have nice shoulders" "wow thanks! but i really just want to have straps" ... I even had someone at the first place I tried on gowns tell me "but everyone wears strapless" as I had a beautiful gown with straps in my hands ... that just made me know that the decision I made was right! I dont want to be like everyone else!! I think straps add a little something. I also am fairly bottom heavy -- so I want everyone's focus UP not down! So I'm using straps to do just that.
Phew! Sorry long post but no, you're not alone!!
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I so very very very wanted a vneck dress, but after searching high and low for THE dress, i could not find one that looked great on me.... I decided for a strapless maggie sottero dress, but now, I'm searching high and low for a bolero to wear to the reception.
As you can tell, I do not like strapless and do not think it is flattering on me...but the I do love the maggie sottero dress very much...just not the strapless part...hehe!
Nope! Mine has wide-set spaghetti straps that criss-cross in the back, and a deep-v faux wrap bodice.
You're not alone! A couple of my friends and I all got engaged about the same time, and we've all been looking for something with straps...but it seems like 90% of the dresses in the shops are strapless -- probably the reason that so many people are wearing them, not necessarily the other way around 
There are some really beautiful strapless dresses out there, but I have scary images on me on the dance floor in something strapless after a glass or two of champagne. (That stuff goes straight to my head!)
I don't know why you would even think that every gown is strapless! There are lots of gorgeous gowns with straps and even sleeves. I was astonished at how many halter styles there seemed to be.
My dress had a little pleated off-the-shoulder sleeve/strap - about 1.5 inches wide. I have great boobs, but I just don't like (and have never liked) strapless styles - its sort of boring kind of neckline to me. Whereas a little off-the-shoulder number frames everything (neck, shoulders, and boobs) quite nicely.
I knew from the start what style I wanted, and there were dozens of them at my bridal salon. So if you're having trouble finding one, you probably just need a salon with a better selection.
As far as what everybody else seems to be wearing - why would you want to look like some kind of *generic*bride* - if that's what the strapless dress says to you? Do something that is more your own style! You'll look great.
Nov. Bride -- let me know if/when you find the bolero! I'm hoping to do something similar...
My dress has a halter neck. I too wanted something not strapless and had trouble finding it. I never thought I would pick a halter neck, none of the photos I cut out of magazines or bookmarked online were halters, but it turned out to be really flattering on me.
I haven't bought my dress yet, but I am certain I want some sort of strap. Besides, if you do find a strapless dress, cap sleeves/straps, etc. can be added fairly easily. I LOVE the look of the lacy slightly off the shoulder thin sleeve. I think its sexier than the bare shoulders.
Yes everyones doing strapless, but it doesn't mean it looks good on them. I was photographing a beautiful plus-size bride and she kept saying to me, try not to photograph my fat arms. Honey, if you aren't comfortable it'll definitely SHOW. She should have bought a cute little bolero to wear and she wouldn't have been so self-conscious.
I had to laugh when I read this because I thought the same thing. I have been to countless weddings where the bride is wearing a strapless gown and yes, there are some beautiful choices out there but I too wanted to be different. I am wearing a 2Be Bridal silk dress with a deep v in the front and back with straps at my wedding in April and I cant wait!
I'll be having straps, but for the opposite reason from thefuturemrsjay - my boobs are way too BIG for strapless! It would take a major feat of engineering to keep my girls up where they should be with a strapless dress, so I'll be having straps!
hahaha! Marianneinvan - I'm in exactly the same situation. I was trying to imagine a strapless bra that fit tight enought not to have to mess with it all night and I think I wouldn't be able to breathe. A bra with straps is the reason I won't be strapless.
I haven't gotten a dress yet, but for those of you looking for something with straps and affordable, check out Jasmine Bridal's collection. They've got beautiful dresses with straps and sleeves.
I actually bought a strapless gown and am having straps added...I am going strapless for the ceremony (b/c my FH freaked out once after seeing me in a strapless BM dress I wore a few years ago...talk about someone making you feel beautiful...it was wonderful!! haha) and then I'm attaching straps for the reception. I'll feel a million times more comfortable with the added security of the straps. Plus, it's like 2 dresses in one!
GNAK17 is on to something. If you can find an affordable dress that you just absolutely love that happens to be strapless, if it's cost effective, then you might want to consider adding sleeves. But I know how you feel. It seems like most of the dresses are either strapless or halter style. I ended up having a dress made because I got sick of looking for one that would work up top. There's really no easy answer...just keep looking. You're bound to find something that works for you eventually!
I'm going halter, not strapless. I have big boobs, so in a strapless I just felt too naked! :o)
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I'm glad to know I'm not the only one too. The one requirement I had for my wedding dress was that it had to have staps or the ability to add straps! I've worn strappless dresses before to formal events and spent half the day with my fingers stuck down it trying to pull it up. Um... not very flattering! In fact, I tend to be a little self conscious even in spaghetti straps so I got a cardigan and had our married monogram embroidered on it. I went without it for the ceremony and some of the reception, but it was so nice to have it if I started feeling uncomfortable. Good luck with finding your dress! And I can saying that having straps on my dress was one of the best things I did for myself.
I didn't want strapless either. I can pull it off, but it wasn't the bridal look I had in mind. I wanted a cross over v-neck (not unlike J Crew's Sophia dress,) and when I went shopping, it sure did feel like nobody wore anything but strapless. Anyway, I ended up having a dress made.
(as an aside, a well fitted strapless gown should really be held up by your waist and hips, not your boobs.)
I'll confess - my dress is strapless, but I really had no expectations when I started shopping.
The shop where I bought my dress told me that EVERY dress comes with straps (but usually very thin ones), and since most don't want them they give the straps to the store. So if someone comes in & loves a strapless dress, they just go through the bin they have and add them. For free!
I love v-necks though. I see them all the time and they're so beautiful and flattering. Just go with the dress you love!
Wow everyone!
I had no idea I'd be getting such a response!
I've always really loved v neck styles with an empire waist - they do a great job of pretending like I have any boobs to speak of :)
I couln't imagine doing anything different for my wedding dress - I feel amazing in it, but at the same time I feel completely like myself. And that's important to me.
Thanks everyone and I look forward to hearing from more of you!!!
When I started shopping around for dresses the only requirement i had was that the dress was NOT strapless! It seems like everyone wears strapless these days and I wanted to do something different. That, and a v-neck off the shoulder is something a little more my style, and much more flattering, which is what I ended up finding!
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I went looking and swore I would not get a strapless dress. I had two dresses made into one, ending up with a sweetheart neckline with straps. Totally gorgeous, but not on me. What I found was that I have no shoulders, and the straps were placed too far out so really, it looked better without them. SO I had to pay for them to be removed. What I learned was that no matter what you want, unless you look like the models you have no idea what a dress will look like on you. So you really have to be open. The first place I went to I wouldn't try on anything strapless. Once I finally was willing to try everything, I found my dress. But I really love the non-strapless dresses! I wish I could have worn one. Its also becoming more and more popular to go non-strapless!
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I too wanted a non-strapless dress, as have many people I know, but sadly I found very few to my liking to try on in bridal salons. I saw lots in magazines and on designers websites, but no one actually CARRIED my favorites--I was very frustrated. So I agree that it is more the store selection and mainstream sales practices rather than the brides--we are CLAMOURING for non-strapless styles!
I was unwilling to buy a dress without seeing it in person first, so I did end up buying a strapless dress with a matching bolero. I'm still a little sad it isn't the off-the-shoulder style I was looking for, but it worked out in the end because I found out too late that my church requires that your shoulders be coverd (and specifically mentioned off-the-shoulder as a no-no). Plus I love my dress anyway. :)
For those interested in boleros, La Sposa makes several to match their dresses, and I'm sure you could buy them w/o the dress as they are sold separately--just ask any authorized dealer near you. Mine was $150, beaded lace.
I am still looking for a rockin' off-the-shoulder dress for the rehearsal dinner to make up for it though--does anyone have any suggestions for a more casual, blue, off-the-shoulder dress?
Good luck!
Jenna Bush was a v-neck bride earlier this year....I think Miss Cherry Pie is a V-necker, too.
I didn't care, but ended up loving the plunging back on a dress - and low backs need straps. So I had little straps, loved my dress!!!
I started smiling when I saw the title of this post!!! I think strapless dresses are beautiful and that you can't go wrong. However, I feel like every bride wears a strapless dress and it's the "trend". Some of us want to be different on our wedding day!!! I ended up getting a Romona Keveza sample gown from White Chicago in Chicago, IL and it's a tank top style with a cumberbund waist. No strapless for this bride and I can't wait to show it off!
I'm going with a halter. My first issue is that it seems like everyone and their little pet iguana is going strapless. The second issue is that although I have some going for me in the breast department, I think my shoulders look too broad in a strapless dress. Seriously, I look like I can help out the New York Giants by filling in for Osi Umenyiora when I'm in a strapless dress.
i have the same issues as you... i'm wearing a v-neck by pronovias (diamante).
I just had a funny thought reading this. I was talking to my FSIL and she got married 10 years ago and she was SO concerned with picking a dress that would seem timeless so that is why she went with something that had sleeves. Looking at her photos, I giggled a little to myself - huge puffy shoulders carefully paired with uber puffy veil and huge bangs. Timeless? Hmmm....
Basically, regardless of what you pick, just wear something you love and you'll never regret it. She adores her dress with sleeves still to this day and, depite my stifled giggles, I love her even more for it.
I want a V-neck...too much boobage for strapless. ;)
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my dress dress is "strapless" but i am wearing the spaghetti straps that came with it. boobs or not, everyone tugs on those dresses at one point or another and i dont want a bunch of pictures of myself adjusting and pulling.
my mom got a shot of me doing just that when i tried on my dress the other week and i looked ridiculous. cementing the fact that i will be wearing those straps!
I really wanted a dress with straps even though I looked nice in strapless dresses. I was disappointed the small selection of dresses with straps at most bridal salons. Many of the gowns I had admired from magazines were out of my price range.
Yup - I ended up as a strapless bride. My dress was different from the "norm" in other ways which was important to me. Thankfully I didn't spend the day tugging at my dress and was able to go sans bra b/c of great alterations (and small boobs). 
I do have to admit that I am still drawn to pictures of brides in gowns w/ bolero jackets, wide straps, v-necklines, etc.
My dress has straps! I started out looking at strapless gowns and then discovered that I didn't like them after all!
My dress is V-neck and it is the dress of my dreams!
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i wanted a v neck gown- kind of with a surplice bodice and empire waist... it just so happened I got such a great deal on a strapless one, that I could deal with not being "super" gorgeous. I figured the glow of excitement from the wedding day would make up for me not loving the dress 100%
I love this post!!! I was bound and determined to not have a strapless gown. I ended up with a bateau-neck gown and I loooove it. I ended up trying on only one strapless gown...most salons I shopped had strapless, strapless....and strapless. Ugh.
I definitely found it harder to find dresses that weren't strapless too. Someone probably already mentioned it, but don't reject a dress you love just because it's strapless... you can always get straps added! (and if you're like me... i.e. indecisive... you can get REMOVABLE straps so you can always change your mind!) :-) Good luck!
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You're not alone!
I was very insistent on having a dress with straps...well actually. cap sleeves, because 1. in the past I've worn strapless and it's just not that flattering...I'm small busted and skinny to boot so it's not usually the most attractive look and 2. I just really loved the cap sleeve look. I must admit I was tempted with some strapless gowns that actually looked halfway decent and contemplated adding straps to some of them, but I did end up finding the one, which is quite gorgeous and has soft chiffon straps in the design. I'm super happy to be a strappy bride, haha!
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