Just a few weeks to find a wedding dress..

[Bumblebzz]

Hello

I'm looking for some help from you wise S&B contributors.

We have just (yesterday!) booked a civil marriage ceremony for Christmas Eve. It will be a tiny event - approx 12 close family - but I'd like a "nice" dress. Something elegant, well-cut, but not fussy/floaty.
I will be 4m pregnant (if all goes well - hurrah shotgun wedding) and as it's my second, I expect I might have a tiny bump already (though I have had such bad nausea so not bloated yet) so the cut of the dress would need to allow for some expansion. I am normally a fairly trim size 10-12, 5' 6" tall, and pale so unsure about wearing white/cream.
I'd love a cowl neck style as it seems to suit me, knee length or below the knee (not above the knee and not a maxi).
I am 41, so feel a bit old to be the blushing bride but still want to look well.
Thanks in advance!

This is my current lust 'wedding' dress.

www.johnlewis.com/adrianna-papell-draped-jersey-dress-silver/p821555

Congratulations

What's your budget?

Do you want sleeves?

Any colours to avoid?

How about something like this?

Oops did not read the not maxi bit.

lanvin

This one is lovely:

m-uk.monsoon.co.uk/view/product/uk_catalog/mon_4,mon_4.3/4531140212

And I know you're unsure about cream but I think this could be gorgeous:

m-uk.monsoon.co.uk/view/product/uk_catalog/mon_4,mon_4.1/3530664610

This could be good if you have a tiny bump:

m.johnlewis.com/mt/www.johnlewis.com/kaliko-cowl-neck-dress-brown/p519633?kpid=232177144&s_kenid=668767b3-f0db-0b08-d2ba-000042a6b424&s_kwcid=ppc_pla&tmad=c&tmcampid=73

Congratulations!! Hope you have a great day.

another westwood

Thanks for your help so far!

PrimalLass lovely dress but yes, I don't want full-length.
I don't mind sleeves or not, but as it's December I will probably need to wear a shrug type thing if the dress is sleeveless.
Budget is probably up to about £300 or £400, though happy not to spend that much!

tethersend Again, gorgeous dress but probably a bit too floaty for me, for some reason structure/tailoring suits me better, maybe because I have quite broad shoulders.

Icedfinger For some reason your monsoon links both go to the home page, perhaps you could let me have the name of the dresses and I will search?
I do like the look of the johnlewis one, off to have another browse/ponder over it :)

tethersend I missed some of your links/cross-posted

The lanvin one - too floaty for me unfortunately
First westwood, possibly though worried it might come up a bit short/above the knee, second one I like but the neckline is very high, a droopier cowl neck is better on me I think.
Thanks for all your efforts!

No sleeves but I love this and am going to try it on this weekend hopefully.

www.mintvelvet.co.uk/midnight-side-zip-cowl-dress/dresses/mint-v/fcp-product/3598

I know I said no cream and I was thinking of not going weddingy, but what do you think of this:

uk.monsoon.co.uk/view/product/uk_catalog/mon_4,mon_4.1/3530664610

maybe with a funky furry cover up/shrug type thing

purple

orange

That white Monsoon one is lovely, Bumble.

I'd go for that TBH.

What colour shrug?

too short?

The white monsoon one is out of stock in a size 12 :( - I have registered my email in case it comes back in. It looks slightly empire line which would be good with a mini bump.

I had assumed a white/cream furry shrug but I guess it doesn't have to be…

How about any of these:
Dress 1 from Monsoon - uk.monsoon.co.uk/view/product/uk_catalog/mon_1,mon_1.2/3530114610

Dress 2 from Monsoon - uk.monsoon.co.uk/view/product/uk_catalog/mon_16,mon_16.4/4530971218

Dress 3 from Phase Eight -
www.phase-eight.co.uk/fcp/product/phase-eightAmelia-Rose-Burnout-Dress/201575102

Dress 4 from BHS -
www.bhs.co.uk/en/bhuk/product/wedding-1020484/the-bride-1020511/lillian-vintage-chiffon-ivory-bridal-dress-1073473?bi=1&ps=40

Dress 5 from BHS -
www.bhs.co.uk/en/bhuk/product/wedding-1020484/adult-bridesmaids-1020513/eve-champagne-satin-bridesmaid-dress-1073227?bi=1&ps=40

I know you have said that you didn't want full length dresses/maxi dresses but I'd say if you tried one on you'd love it! Also I wouldn't worry about being pale & wearing either cream/ivory. I am a red-head with freckles and very pale skin and I wore ivory on my wedding day & looked great (if I do say so myself).

Congrats on the pregnancy & on the upcoming wedding!

Is this one too structured?
www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod_10701_10001_008010152585_-1

This is nice (and so is the price)
www.frenchconnection.com/product/71ACX/Vienna+Lace+Fitted+Dress.htm

WhatchaMaCallit of all the dresses you linked to (Thanks!) I do think the first Monsoon one is the most beautiful, however it just doesn't feel practical for the day. We are literally have a very simple ceremony, and then jumping into taxis to go for a lunch in a fairly quirky (not formal) restaurant in the City. I think I would just feel a bit foolish in a long flowing dress, mainly because the setting doesn't suit the dress… Now if they did it in a shorter length I would definitely go for it.

I'm going to ask in the Weddings section too - they might know where I can get a copy of the Monsoon Sylvie dress (which I have unfortunately fallen for!)

colour

If white/cream maybe is an option then try sample sales. You're the right size and might pick up a bargain.

It might be worth trying the size 10 Monsoon one if you really like it. I'm normally a 12 but I find their size 10 dresses fit fine and I'm not trim!

You could also ring round the larger stores and see if anyone has one in stock.

Congratulations - I hope you both have a magical day.

noddyholder that jigsaw one is lovely in the burgundy, worth me trying it on i think

canthinkofagoodone where/what are sample sales to be found?

www.hobbs.co.uk/product/display?productID=0213-5768-3793L00&productvarid=0213-5768-3793L00-OYSTER NUDE-18&refpage=dresses

Sample sales are where they sell off the dresses in the shop so you take the display one. I got mine for £250 down from £750 in perfect condition.

Just call around a few bridal shops in your area.