Three years ago, my college roommate got married and asked me to be her maid of honor (I don’t like the title of matron, it sounds so… matronly!). Since she had been my maid of honor, I was of course honored and accepted immediately. I started planning my speech to get back at her for her 10 page, 20 minute speech at my wedding 4 years earlier hehe, and began looking around for bridesmaid dresses. I was particularly interested in the type of dress we’d end up in, because… I would be seven months pregnant at her wedding.

This year, my childhood best friend got married and asked me to be a bridesmaid. Since she had been a bridesmaid of mine, I was again honored and accepted immediately. She was planning from a long distance, so I began looking for bridesmaid dresses with our other childhood best friends. I was particularly interested in the type of dress we’d end up in, because… I would be seven months pregnant at her wedding!

Even though I was relatively huge at both weddings, I was able to stay comfortable and have a great time at both weddings. I even stayed in 2.5 inch heels all day and night long for both weddings! Here are a few tips in case you’re in a wedding during your third trimester:

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  • Plan on wearing flats, or wear a pair of shoes you know you’re comfortable in. I used many Dr. Scholl’s products (Rub Relief Strips, High Heel Insoles, Ball of Foot Cushions, Heel Liners) to stay comfortable all day and night. The ball of foot cushions are especially helpful for open-toed shoes because they prevent your foot from sliding down and crowding at the toe.
  • Bring along someone who can help you carry all your essentials in a large tote, such as flip flops, a warm wrap, snacks, and water. This is helpful especially during long photo sessions when you’re walking around to different locations.
  • Look for somewhere safe/clean to sit everywhere you go. Even if you’re not tired, sit down every chance you get.
  • I found a way to sit on gum at the last wedding… so carry baby wipes with you! They get everything out.
  • Two words: maternity spanx! Even if you don’t need the smoothing magic of spanx under your dress, it’s a great way to support the belly weight without adding bulk.
  • If you’re concerned about standing at the altar for a long ceremony, ask the bride if it would be ok for a chair to be set up somewhere near where you are standing so that if you start to feel faint, you can sneak away quietly and sit down. Don’t hesitate to do so… it would be much more of a spectacle for you to fall down than for you to discreetly sneak away and sit for a minute!
  • Two words to help you last through the reception: table dancing.
  • When you’re standing at the altar, stand with one knee slightly bent at all times, and switch the bent knee (and the foot you have your weight on) every few minutes. Don’t lock your knees. This is a good tip for everyone in the bridal party.
  • Hold your bouquet at belly button level. This will be most flattering in pictures and will not hide what’s usually the prettiest part of your dress, the top. Again, this is true for all bridesmaids and the bride.
As for bridesmaid dresses, I was lucky enough to experience two very different styles of dresses. This dress was a short, satin maternity bridesmaid dress by Dessy. I was able to be measured and order the exact size of dress since it was maternity-specific, and I added the optional spaghetti straps to support the girls. The maternity dress did not exactly match the other bridesmaids (their dress had a sweetheart neckline and a wider sash), but it was well coordinated enough that I was able to blend in.
For the other wedding, we were allowed to choose our own style of dress from the Amsale crinkle chiffon line, as long as it was long and navy. There were so many choices, and I chose a deep v-neck dress with an empire waist and ordered 2 sizes up. The only alterations I needed were a hem and the shoulders to be taken up.

Have you ever been (or had) a third trimester bridesmaid? What are your tips to last through the day and night?