BOASTING size 44L breasts and wearing a size 28 wedding dress,  self-proclaimed “Fat Barbie” Louisa Duffield felt like a princess as she walked down the aisle on her wedding day last month.

Now she and other larger ladies have shared their wedding stories – including what it’s like making love to their new husbands as a bigger girl...

Louisa Duffield, 39, from Norfolk, married Duncan in July 2018

“It doesn’t matter how much I weigh,” Louisa, mum to 11 children and stepchildren, said. “I will say I am a size 28, however.”

Louisa, who dubs herself “The Fat Barbie”, married her partner of nearly four years, Duncan, in July this year – after an engagement which lasted just a few months.

Amazingly the savvy couple bought another pair’s wedding, after they spilt up just weeks before they were due to marry.

Explaining, Louisa said: “We actually bought another couple's wedding. Someone we knew split up and we jokingly asked if we could 'buy' their wedding.

"We weren't serious - it was way too much to plan. But they said yes so it happened. We bought their wedding."

It was good news for Louisa as she got to marry in the location of her dreams, a hotel, whereas Duncan was initially more keen on more unusual locations – “like aircraft hangers,”  she said.

NHS receptionist Louisa and carer Duncan actually met when they were teenagers - and she worked in the local supermarket.

"We had known each other for ages... but I think Duncan thought I was a bit out of his league," she said of their teenage encounter.

Explaining the origins of her nickname, she added: "I like being tanned, I like having my nails done and my hair."

The couple then reunited in September 2014 after reconnecting on Plenty of Fish.

Now parents to an amazing 11 children - including three they have had together, Hugo, Ezra, and Rafferty - they got engaged in March this year.

And in July, just a few months later, they married.

Louisa admitted: "Our first date was ridiculous... he came round for a cup of tea and a biscuit - but I wasn't sure he was that keen on me."

After having the children they briefly separated but got back together.

She said, despite buying another couple's wedding, the day went swimmingly. "We paid £2,000 and it should have cost £5,500," she explained. "I organised it in eight weeks and we got all the food."

Best of all she had her perfect dress - in size 28.

With 44L breasts, she has faced bullying. "I've got people saying, 'You would be really pretty if you weren't so big," she explained.

"The first dress I put on was horrible but the second dress I felt like a princess... it pulled me in.

"I felt so confident and lovely. It was white and lace on it. It was sleeveless.

"I think my husband was blown away."

Asked about her sex life, she said: "We've got no problems in that department..."

Kia Cottrell, 30, Reading, Berkshire, is marrying Ryan Payne in March 2019

Size 22 American Kia moved to the UK from the USA four years ago – and didn’t expect to fall in love.

But after meeting Ryan, 40, the New Yorker cancelled ALL her other dates – and the pair have been inseparable ever since.

They’re getting married in March 2019 – and she has compared their wedding to that of another US-UK couple… Harry and Meghan.

“I want my wedding to be like Meghan and Harry’s… I’m American and he is British,” she said. “They have competition!”

She even joked their wedding would be similar – they are planning to hire a violinist and will marry in Horsley Towers in Surrey.

“It’s a castle,” she explained. “We want it to be really romantic.”

Explaining their meeting, she said: “I’d been dating nonchalantly to focus on my career and decided to join an online dating website.

“The first week on there I lined up three dates. Ryan was date number three… I cancelled all my other dates.”

A size 22, she has lost weight – but said Ryan loved her whatever.

“I’ve never been bullied or insulted,” she said. “The dress journey was nerve-wracking though because I have never tried one on.

“But I can’t wait for Ryan to see it.”

Zoe Dunklin, 45, from Northampton, is renewing vows to Andy in September this year

Zoe, who is a double amputee and has a spinal injury and also a congenial disability, will renew her vows in September to husband Andy, 48,

The couple, who met at a cricket club dance and dinner and married 16 months later, will re-tie the knot on their 19th wedding anniversary.

But in the past some people have thought, as a result of her disability, Zoe wasn’t ALLOWED to marry.

“I’ve been asked, ‘Can disabled people get married?’” she explained. “I told them, ‘Yes and we have really good sex as well!’”

Zoe, who weighs 16-and-a-half stone and is a size 20/22, is a classic comfort eater.

“I’ve always been a big girl,” she said. “I attend a weight loss group every week,” she said.

“There are thousands of people out there like me. At the meetings every Monday we all say the same things: ‘We comfort eat’.

“When things are a bit stressful I hit the chocolates and the biscuits.”

The Paralympian explained how, through hard times, Andy had shown how much he loved her.  “We're renewing on our 19th wedding anniversary… because it was on a Saturday,” she laughed.

“But, more seriously, it seemed like the right thing and right time to do it."

She continued: “My health has deteriorated over the past couple of years and Andy gave up work to be my carer.

“He’s really supported me. He’s come to every appointment and stood by me. There are not many men who would do that.

“It’s been difficult and Andy has been wonderful.

“Our family and friends have been great too and we want to thank them.”

Zoe, who played wheelchair basketball from the ages of 16 to 24, wasn’t concerned about getting a dress for her renewal because she knew she could order one online. “But I knew it would result in a bog-standard maxi,” she said. “I wanted something grand.”

So she turned to the ladies at TLC.

And she was delighted with what they presented her with.

“We’re marrying on September this year at our local registry office. I’ll be in an oyster-coloured dress and it is really special.

“They’d thought about my disability and what dresses will look good sitting down. I don’t want to be drowned in a heavy dress that’s like a duvet,” she said. “I can’t wait.”

Kia, Louisa and Zoe are just a few of the brides on TLC show Curvy Brides' Boutique where women prepare for the big day - with the help of dress experts Jo and Al.

• Curvy Brides’ Boutique airs Fridays at 8pm on TLC

MOST READ IN REAL LIFE

Want more wedding news? This bride danced with her dad three years before her big day - and the reason why will break your heart.

And a mum went to her best friend's wedding vow renewal... only to find out it's her own secret wedding ceremony.

Love real life stories? We're always on the lookout for case studies to feature on Fabulous Online. Join our Facebook group and you could make money by telling your story.

ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7tbTErKynZpOke7a3jp%2BYm62cpMK0e5VxcHBxYWx8rrHErWStoJVisLa%2B1bJkm6qZmbK0edSpZK2nXai2u7GMa29mpJ%2BkuKq6xmadqKpdqbWmec%2BeqZ%2Bdk6l6qLvWp6pmnp%2BnerW0xKKpZpqZnHqlrdisZJqmlGK8r7GMnq2epl2Yrq240mafnqqjmrmnecWaq2aakaevqrGO