If you choose a strapless gown, after alterations (and the addition of a killer undergarment of some sort) it will be very fitted in that, uh, region, with no chance of falling down. I promise.

Boning, lots and lots of boning. And an Italian seamstress who looks at your rack, feels very sorry for you and then sews 'push-up' cups into the bodice.

Trust me, they can work M.A.G.I.C!!

First of all, if you don't get strapless (I didn't) you don't have to worry about it falling down (and it can fall down whether you are endowed or not). But, I can say that as long as the dress is fitted to you properly in that area it won't fall down. Enjoy the experience--try on some things that you normally wouldn't. Why not?

BONING? Am I going to have to learn a whole new vocabulary for this?

Kar, I'm definitely going to try some new things. I really don't have much of a concept of how I would look in a dress, period, let alone a wedding dress. Despite my general sarcasm, I think that this will be kind of fun.

I know Albany is a backwater cesspool and all that, but David's Bridal? There are lots of options out there and they're not all expensive. My sister got her very cool wedding dress at BCBG for less than 500 bucks. It was a long, strapless dress made up of overlapping squares of white fabric (I can't remember what its called) and it had a pretty sash above the waist. They probably don't make it anymore but my point is, you don't need a wedding dress factory.

This is just the preliminary step-- to get an idea of what is out there (at least within the David's Bridal circuit). If I don't like what I see, then I'll start looking around a smaller, less factory-like place. Tiny steps!

Two words: bra pads. I had them sewn in two strapless bridesmaids gowns and they worked wonders. Not once did I have to fiddle with the dresses and my chest actually looked pretty natural, albeit a wee bit more buxom than usual.

Have fun!

I also have thin straps on my dress, and actually, most David's dresses have straps you can attach if you want. But everyone is right about the strapless dresses being fitted so they give you cleavage and also don't fall down. You'll see when you're buttoned into the first dress with all that boning and your ribs are crushed a little. But crushed in a good way.

Try J. Crew. They don't have big, fancy, princess dresses but they are really elegant and they don't have trains. I am not a fan of David's Bridal. The dresses tend to be generic. But if you find something that you love, good for you. I went there and got an idea of what shape looked good on me and got my amazing and cheap dress at a boutique. Also, strapless is all a matter of great tailoring as most people have mentioned. If they do a good job, that sucker ain't movin'

My coworker, Wendy, is getting married in September. She found her dress in a bridal boutique on sale, just what she had in mind. I asked her about the fit and she said what everyone else did--major corset stuff, but so worth it. Just find something you really love... in addition to Alexis, of course. Happy hunting!

Well, I'm the polar opposite of under-endowed so have some nerve contributing, but 1) boning is awesome, also my favorite wedding-related word, 2) IT WILL STAY UP. It will stay up because it will be cut and tailored to your shape, for you, and 3) there are also no shortage of gorgeous dresses that I couldn't fit half a boob in, like those lovelies from JCrew. You'll do just fine. Good luck!

Having been many many weddings in the last 5 years or so, I'm in the Against column for strapless gowns. Both the over-endowed and under-endowed will, indeed, be caught on video giving the dress a solid yank more than once in the evening. That said, there are many dresses out there with sleeves, straps, halters, and other anti-gravity devices. I recommend them as being generally more comfortable.

where in albany do your parents live? I grew up 20 minutes from albany...

Right now they live in a temporary condo somewhere near the train station-- I think it's actually Rensselaer. They're building a house in Saratoga, which should be ready by winter. We hope.

Ah ha. My mom teaches printmaking/etching at the Renssalaer Center for the Arts & her work is often up at local galleries including Gallery 100 (445 Broadway) in Saratoga Springs during Sept-Oct. Saratoga is very pretty :)