A generation ago, "pregnant" plus "unmarried" equaled a speedy trip to the justice of the peace.

Fast forward to the 21st century, where pregnant women around the world are enjoying both their changing bodies and their wedding days. Even elite Hollywood community A-listers like starlets Jennifer Garner and Amanda Peet are members of this growing sorority of brides proudly taking their blossoming bellies down the aisle.

Nevertheless, Jessica Iverson, designer and owner, MaternityBride.com, (and a former pregnant bride herself) intimately understands the frustrations brides with bumps face.

“Brides are becoming more and more open to getting married while pregnant,” she asserts, "[But] honestly, I’ve found the rest of society is slower to warm to the trend. Change doesn’t happen overnight… it’s a process.”

The Big Business of Blooming Bellies

Fortunately for brides with babies on board, a handful of forward-thinking wedding gown designers including Iverson focus on maternity bridal wear. Even some mainstream stores and websites including Pea in the Pod and Mimi Maternity offer elegant, belly-flattering garments in prices from cheap to steep.

Of course, finding maternity bridal dresses isn’t always simple; many bridal shops still offer outdated advice to apprehensive customers with expanding waistlines: “Just buy your gown two sizes larger and everything will be okay.”

For designer Sarah Houston, Toronto, Canada, following that suggestion typically results in an inadequate, uncomfortable experience for the bride.

After years in the fashion industry, Houston launched her signature line of maternity bridal wear in 2006. Her pieces celebrate and pamper mommy bodies with rich fabrics and simple, but elegant, stylings.

Houston points out, “From a business point of view, it makes sense to carry maternity bridal wear. If more stores would recognize the need for it, they would have a lot more brides coming to them.”

The Art of Being Bridally Bumpilicious
The innate sensuality and femininity of the pregnant figure is tough to ignore; consequently, brides with babes inside deserve maternal wear that echoes their blossoming beauty.

And maternity gown designs needn’t be puritanical; Houston’s most popular model is a stretch silk dress. “It’s my number one selling dress,” she avers. “I can’t keep that dress in stock right now! It’s something that’s very clean… It definitely shows the ‘baby bump’!”

Like Houston, Natalie Gladman, director and designer, madeline isaac-james maternity bridal, London, aims to create unique maternity gowns that drip with femininity, making the bride feel like the beautiful woman she is.

“Being pregnant and getting married is in fact a double celebration,” Gladman asserts. “Pregnant brides are proud to show off their love, excitement and joy at experiencing two of the happiest moments in their lives within a few short months of each other. They demand stylish, elegant maternity wedding gowns that fit and flatter the pregnant form, refusing to compromise on their wedding gown just because they’re pregnant.”

Maternity Bridal Wear: Hot and Haute
With the buzz surrounding the emerging maternity bridal gown market, runway couture may not be far behind for the industry.

In fact, in late 2007, Houston displayed her maternity line at the New York bridal show; she expects to be there again in September 2008. And Gladman plans to secure maternity brides’ dresses into mainstream bridal fashion.

Perhaps these innovative designers pave the way for a new round of reality television: America’s Top Pregnant Model. In the meantime, gals planning a wedding followed by a due date soon after should gently pat themselves on the belly… it’s a great time to be sporting a bump!