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!

[PrimalLass]

This is my current lust 'wedding' dress.

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

[tethersend]

Congratulations

What's your budget?

Do you want sleeves?

Any colours to avoid?

How about something like this?

[PrimalLass]

Oops did not read the not maxi bit.

[tethersend]

lanvin

[Icedfinger]

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.

[tethersend]

another westwood

[Bumblebzz]

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 :)

[Bumblebzz]

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!

[PrimalLass]

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

[Bumblebzz]

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

[tethersend]

purple

[tethersend]

orange

[tethersend]

That white Monsoon one is lovely, Bumble.

I'd go for that TBH.

What colour shrug?

[tethersend]

too short?

[Bumblebzz]

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…

[WhatchaMaCalllit]

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-eight//Amelia-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!

[WhatchaMaCalllit]

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

[WhatchaMaCalllit]

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

[Bumblebzz]

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.

[Bumblebzz]

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!)

[noddyholder]

colour

[cantthinkofagoodone]

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

[TheEyeofHarmony]

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.

[Bumblebzz]

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?

[cantthinkofagoodone]

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.