Help! Going to a wedding @8 months preg!

[MamaPhD]

I am already dreading going to my brother's wedding the day after Chirstmas when I'll be 8 months pregnant. DD will be 2. I just wish I could skip out but I do love my brother dearly and it is only an hour flight, but dang, just hate the thought of holiday traveling with a huge belly plus a toddler. DH will come with us of course. I need tips & encouragements mamas! Also any leads for a nice dress or two for wedding?

[Joyster]

I feel for you, I've done two weddings at 8 and 8.5 months pregnant. I recently participated in one where I was 7 months pregnant. Fortunately I haven't had to travel far for any of them.

I think the biggest thing I'd recommend is to give yourself plenty of time to rest. So maybe arrive a day before the wedding, have DH take your LO to see the sights and you rest up. It doesn't seem like a wedding where you can duck out of early, so I think I'd bank up on rest. Also have DH and/or family members assigned to chasing LO if she is coming and there are no kids activities. Don't be afraid to ask for a chair while everyone is doing the mingling thing, bring water and snacks for you and LO since I've found it often takes forever from wedding to reception.

[LindsayK]

I was the maid of honor at a wedding, and all three bridesmaids could potentially be pregnant at the wedding, so I had to find dresses that would work and look cute. I ended up getting this:

http://www.davidsprom.com/dresses_detail.jsp?i=1891&g=0

Its on the "prom" site, but its really pretty, and accommodates a big belly!

[MaerynPearl]

I was 27 weeks for my own wedding (think of the stress THAT caused) with a 4 year old and 7 year old.

Then I flew at about 29 weeks to come down to where we live now...

all I can say is, while traveling, be SURE to drink enough water! My feet swelled so bad that when we landed after the second flight, I had no ankle bones at all!

as for the wedding... it shouldnt be that bad if your family is anything like mine. I didnt have to pay much attention to my own kids as everyone else was paying attention to them for me (I do not usually rely on this but I had been put on bedrest two days before the wedding, I had no choice)

Is there anyone that will be there that absolutely adores your DD and will want to spend the entire time with her? That would make sitting around and resting MUCH easier!

[Ruthla]

Originally Posted by MamaPhD

IAlso any leads for a nice dress or two for wedding?

I misread that at first as "a nice dress for two"

Check out maternity stores- the advantage of the wedding being during late December is that many stores will have their "holiday" dresses available, many of which are appropriate for weddings. Also take a look in the non-maternity holiday dresses- sometimes there are high-waisted styles that can work for big bellies, even if they're not intended to be maternity. This is more common in casual dresses than formals, but it still may be worth checking into.

[~Adorkable~]

Not sure how flexible your travel dates are, but I have found that traveling on the actual day of Christmas to be really kinda calm, the days before and after are of course stupid crazy. new years Eve flights, specially the mid to late day times are also nearly as calm.

I agree on the holiday dresses, I would not worry too much about a dress till closer to the date, I'm guessing there will be tons of party dresses around in Dec.

[NorthernPixie]

Depending on how formal of a wedding it is, you may be able to rent a dress. There's a place in my town that has maternity formal wear for rent, around $75 for a week, including cleaning.

[MamaPhD]

Originally Posted by LindsayK

I was the maid of honor at a wedding, and all three bridesmaids could potentially be pregnant at the wedding, so I had to find dresses that would work and look cute. I ended up getting this:

http://www.davidsprom.com/dresses_detail.jsp?i=1891&g=0

Its on the "prom" site, but its really pretty, and accommodates a big belly!

OOooh I love it!

ETA Adorkable, thanks for the tips on the travel days. We might just do that - fly on christmas & new years day!

[cloudgazer]

Not sure if this is too summery:

http://www.isabellaoliver.com/matern...020/DR083.html

[HaikuMommy]

I just went to a good friend's wedding at 8 mo. pregnant, with a 23.5 mo old DD, so I had to post. DD was supposed to be the flower girl, but had a last-minute meltdown and the idea was scrapped. Some things I learned from:

I bought a very nice maternity blouse and new black maternity pants to wear. Didn't wear them prior because with a 2 yr old and a big belly, things gets stained so easy. The morning of the wedding, when I tried on the outfit, I realized the white blouse was just too snug, and had to wear one of my well-worn maternity tops. The black pants were a little loose in the waist and kept wanting to slide down all day. Next time I would wear something a few times before the big day, and not go too formal. People will understand.

The invitation said arrive at 5:00, we arrived a half hour earlier than that since DD was going to participate. Mistake. The ceremony didn't start until 6:15, by which time DD was OVER the boring adults standing around talking and was antsy as heck. She wanted to attack the present table, yank on the tablecloth of the refreshments, pull on the white aisle fabric, destroy the flowers... and then the big crying meltdown started right at ceremony time. We had to go for a walk just to avoid disrupting the vows. Next time I would ask when the ceremony will start and arrive 15 min prior.

There was also no easy place to change DD's diaper, and being 8 mos. pregnant was no fun when everyone was expected to stand until the ushers started seating people. I expected the day to be dicey, and yes, it was. Low expectations or just not going would be my tactic if I was ever in that position again!

Not trying to be "Debbie Downer" though! Best wishes... hope the wedding goes well.

[MamaPhD]

Thanks for your input HaikuMom! My first thought was to skip out, too! But I really can't. My dear baby bro and his girl have been together longer than DH and I and they (and all of us family!) have been waiting for this day literally all their lives, plus my family is super close. Sigh. Also it will be a low key event at just one local place (no driving to reception or anything) and during the day, so we will see. I can't believe I'm already stressing about this but can't help it. DD was almost one at my sister's wedding and she did really well all day just with DH (I was maid of honor). At least this time I got both me and DH off special duties!

[TangoMama]

Wow, it sounds like it could be a stressful event, but I really hope it works out for you.

I wanted to suggest that you try stores like TJ Maxx, Ross, Macy's, etc. for a dress when the time comes. Since empire style dresses are so popular, it's been easy to find dresses that work for me - both casual and dressy. Plus, they're much cheaper than maternity dresses.

[mamamille]

Oh have fun : ) see if your brother can't set you up with a babysitter- even at the wedding so that you don't have to be in constant alert mode. Traveling at the holidays do suck but if it's just an hour it won't be bad. Your DH should take charge so you can let go and be in the moment. Just repeat to yourself that everything will be just fine, and don't think about it so much. It's July! You will be so happy to be there, and pregnancy shouldn't complicate matters. Be active and healthy now, and you will be strong. I mean you WILL be having a baby : ) LOL I went to my bf wedding at 40 weeks and danced and laughed so much that Lilah decided to come out 2 weeks early! So party on Momma!

[Greenlea]

I feel for you. I have to go to my cousins wedding at 8+ mths preggo. Although I won't have to travel and will most likely find a sitter for my 18 mth old so I don't have to worry about him.

I'm mostly worried about finding a dress. I don't and can't spend that much money on a maternity formal dress and I have no maternity casual dresses. I have one long purple bathing suit cover up I could wear as a dress if I dress it up with fancy jewelery & heels maybe.

I'm worried I'll get super tired too. My DH will be drinking and dancing and I wouldn't want to ruin his night by going home early.