Wedding dress woes – tips for ostomate brides

Wedding season has arrived, and as we all know there is one wedding that everyone is talking about. We are, of course, talking about the Royal wedding between  Harry and Meghan Markle, which takes place on the 19th May at Windsor Castle.  

One common problem for blushing brides to be who have a stoma is choosing a wedding dress that they love but won’t affect their pouch through the course of the day. As such, we thought now would be as good a time as ever to provide some tips on choosing the perfect dress for the big day.

It’s all about the fit

When you think of your dream wedding dress it’s highly unlikely that it’s baggy and loose fitting. However, unlike most brides you will be conscious that you’ll need to ensure there’s enough space for your pouch to rest comfortably throughout the day.

Don’t worry though, most brides with stomas find that they can reach an agreement to have their dress fitted in such a way that allows them to show off their shape whilst providing the space and support needed. Simply talk to your seamstress and explain your situation, most times they will be able to help you find the right compromise.  

Think about the toilet

Toilet breaks are a nuisance for brides at the best of times. It’s a time honoured tradition that bridesmaids have to accompany them to hold the endless rolls of dress and provide support. With a stoma this is a different game altogether. You’ll need to be able to access your bag fairly easily with enough space and privacy to change it. Always factor this in when choosing your wedding dress.

It’s a long day, plan for it

Comfort might not seem important at first when choosing your dress. You may even think you can live with that squashed feeling and your pouch digging into your side… after all, it’s just for one day, right? Well, as the day goes on you may soon change your mind on this and wish you’d chosen something you could really enjoy yourself in.

Similarly, make sure you have all of the supplies you need for a full day and night. If you’re staying over you’ll need to plan for that as well.

Food and drink

Most weddings will feature a lot of food and drink and it’s only natural to want to indulge. You know your own body better than anybody so you should know what you can and can’t eat comfortably. The advantage here is that as the bride you may have picked the menu!

Fizzy and gassy drinks can be a nightmare for ostomates and are commonly offered out at weddings. A glass of champagne, for example, might seem reasonable on your big day, just be careful not to indulge in too many gassy drinks to avoid your pouch ballooning and becoming uncomfortable. If you’re drinking alcohol in general, be sure to stay well hydrated with glasses of water in between drinks too.