You, me and baby make three

Tips for your wedding day as a pregnant bride

Alicia Keys, Gwyneth Paltrow, Jennifer Garner, Jessica Alba and Reese Witherspoon have a few things in common. Celebrities? Yes, that’s for sure. A few Grammy’s and Oscars between them – yes, ticking that box as well. But aside from being well-known celebrities, they were all blissfully pregnant at the time of getting married.

So if you have just heard the good news, rest assured that you are not alone in this. Planning a wedding is an exciting milestone. Add a growing baby bump, and you are embracing two major life changes at once. With a bit of planning and a sense of humour, you will navigate the big day with grace.

We have some tips to ease the way:

 

Timing is everything

 

 

When you hear that you are pregnant, your first reaction may be to want to get married right away. But morning sickness and wedding dresses are not a pretty combination. When it comes to wedding planning, timing matters. Morning sickness typically subsides in the second trimester, your energy levels are higher, and your baby bump is at its cutest, not yet at the stage where tying your shoes feels like a workout. If you can, aim for a wedding date during this magical trimester. Or you may want to follow the extreme example of actress Jessica Alba who was eight months along when she tied the knot with film producer Cash Warren! Embrace this new little life in all your wedding photos and capture the moment with its baby bump for times to come.

 

Keep stress at bay

 

 

Pregnancy and wedding planning can be stressful on their own, let alone combined. Consider hiring a wedding or event planner to handle the details. You don’t want to be moving wedding furniture around or stress about last-minute seating details a few days before the wedding. Allow your event planner to get your venue ready for the event. With Whatsapp messages and live Whatsapp videos, your event planner can reach out to you with any urgent questions and keep you in the loop of the wedding setup and progressions. Any bride, and even more so an expecting bride, deserves to be relaxed as they arrive at the venue, knowing that everything is under control.

 

Find your perfect (bump-friendly) dress

 

 

Your wedding dress is one of the most memorable parts of your big day, and being pregnant opens up opportunities for unique styles. Think empire waistlines, flowing fabrics, and stretchy materials that flatter your bump while keeping you comfortable. Drew Barrymore wore a Chanel wedding dress when she married Will Kopelman while pregnant with their daughter, Olive. Her dress was a custom Chanel creation, designed by Karl Lagerfeld and featured a high-waisted, empire silhouette to flatter her baby bump, delicate organza, muslin, and tulle, floral embroidery and a black satin belt.

While we can’t all afford designer dresses, there are some beautiful flattering and comfortable options to choose from. Keep in mind that your measurements will change as your date nears, so work with a seamstress who is fantastic with last-minute alterations. Pro tip: When in doubt, go for stretchy fabrics.

Comfort wins every time and we recommend that you follow the same advice when it comes to footwear. Wedding heels may look fabulous in photos, but practicality and safety are key when you’re carrying a tiny human. Opt for elegant flats, kitten heels, or even embellished sneakers to keep you on your feet longer. Trust us, your ankles will thank you.

 

Build-in comfort breaks

 

 

Weddings are long, and standing for hours on end is no fun when you’re pregnant. Plan for seated breaks during the ceremony and reception – a stylish chair near the action can give you a spot to rest while still mingling with guests. You deserve it—pregnancy is hard work! Book the honeymoon suite at your wedding venue – not only to prepare for the wedding day and have a peaceful wedding night after the reception but also to have it available for little breaks during the wedding reception.

As a pregnant bride, you’ll need to stay fuelled and hydrated. Keep water bottles and light snacks on hand throughout the day. Let your bridesmaid or your partner carry an “emergency snack pack” just in case!

Above all, trust your instincts and listen to your body. If you’re tired, rest. If you’re hungry, eat. If you’re emotional, cry it out—weddings are already a whirlwind, and pregnancy only adds to the rollercoaster. By honouring what your body needs, you’ll be better equipped to enjoy every special moment of your big day.

 

The reality of limited menu choices

 

 

One of the most exciting parts of a wedding is the sumptuous food on offer. But as a pregnant bride, your usual foodie freedom gets replaced by a list of no-go items. Here are some of the common food restrictions that pregnant brides face:

• No sushi or raw fish: That elegant sushi bar or sashimi platter? Off the table. Certain fish, like tuna and king mackerel, have high mercury levels, which can harm the baby’s developing nervous system.
• Bye-bye to soft cheeses: Brie, Camembert, and blue cheese are often made with unpasteurized milk, making them a risky choice.
• Any undercooked meats or eggs: Fancy a medium-rare steak or a runny poached egg on your avocado toast? Not while you’re pregnant as it may contain Salmonella or Listeria bacteria which can thrive in improperly cooked meat and can cross the placenta, posing a risk to both mother and baby. It can lead to serious complications like preterm labour, miscarriage, or severe illness in the newborn.

 

The no-alcohol rule

 

 

As a mom-to-be, you may be used to this by the time you get married and have eased into the world of mocktails, zero-alcohol bubblies and beers. You will however want to toast with a glass of bubbly in hand and fortunately, a few vineyards have produced alcohol-free bubblies. But having tasted them all, I would rather have real Appletiser or Grapetiser instead! (Zero-alcohol beers taste surprisingly good and like the real thing. It may even look acceptable in a wine or bubbly glass). And if you think just one glass won’t make a difference, think again. While the expecting mom may enjoy the few sips, it’s not as simple for the unborn baby: Since alcohol crosses the placenta, even small amounts can reach the baby, whose liver is not developed enough to process it efficiently. A scary thought.

Being a pregnant bride might not have been in your original wedding vision, but it’s a story that’s uniquely yours. You’re not just walking down the aisle—you’re making memories with your partner and your little plus-one. So laugh at the chaos, embrace the beauty, and don’t forget to pack a snack. You’ve got this, mama—and your happily-ever-after is just getting started.

Photo credit – all images via Pinterest

She knows her Merlot from her Mojito, her hotel from her motel. From craft food to caviar, her innate curiosity about life and wanderlust provide inspiration for her blogs, articles and press releases about the travel, wedding and Spa industry. Over twenty years in the hotel marketing & PR arena with impressive hotel groups, from Dubai to Durbanville, has evolved into the pure enjoyment of freelance projects under the banner of About Branding.