I've just collected my wedding dress and I don't like it at all.

[ShellsAndSunrises]

That, really... any advice?

I hated the idea of wedding dress shopping but took my best friend and fiancé's mum to try some on as they really wanted to. I found the whole thing awkward, not least because I was 2 stone heavier than I normally am and felt it was very obvious in the tiny shop dresses, but I found a dress that I liked more than the rest and they cried, so we bought it.

I've just seen it for the first time since October. It doesn't suit me at all. I've lost the 2st so it's too big, but it looks odd and wide. I don't look like me at all.

The original wedding was in a gorgeous little Manor House, so I got a dress that suited the room... it's got a long train, and is lace. We're now getting married in a tiny office room. I think it'll look really out of place.

It was already a lot more than I'd planned to pay, but doable. It's due to be fitted on Saturday so I think I'd have to pay for that anyway. The date is in a month, so no real time to lose more weight and see if that helps... There's nothing that I can do really, is there?

I feel really sad and deflated this afternoon!

The Ghost sale seems to still have a few good ones from £50-200 depending on size/style. They all have an understated but elegant look that might work with the new venue.

Whatever you decide, I hope the day goes really well. Congratulations!

I felt a bit meh about my dress close to the time, it was second hand from local newspaper but cost £350 (IMO quite a bit for once wear). I got a nice lace veil and with makeup and hair, it was fine.
I wouldn't worry about the dress not fitting the location, I honestly have never considered this and cant see it mattering.

Another option is (after the fitting on Saturday) trying other dresses, this should either confirm your dress is ok or make clear you need to change.

Monsoon sale is up to 60% off at present.

They have lots of simple bridal stuff or stuff that is too dressy for most occasions but nice for a simple registry office do, like this:

uk.monsoon.co.uk/view/product/uk_catalog/mon_1,mon_1.2/7451110206

Whistles have some lovely simple wedding dresses:

www.whistles.com/wedding/dresses/?utm_source=google&utm_term=whistles%20wedding%20dress&utm_campaign=&utm_medium=cpc&utm_content=s_dc%7Cpcrid%7C417886465381%7Cpkw%7Cwhistles%20wedding%20dress%7Cpmt%7Ce&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIleLg4vS96gIVRLTtCh26qg1EEAAYASAAEgLByfD_BwE

ASOS too:

www.asos.com/women/occasion-wear/bridal/cat/?cid=21606

I think a lot of high street bridal stuff gets overlooked because people want the crying-friend dress shopping experience, but there is a lot of off the peg choice out there are a) your friends already had the crying bit and b) people who love you will cry at your wedding even if you wore jeans and a cowboy hat. They are crying because they love you and they love that your fiancé loves you and they are happy because you are happy. The big frock is just a prop that lets the tears flow.

let’s find you something else and then you can sell this one on, it will be easier to sell if you don’t alter it but if you go get it pinned up by your dress maker you will have a chance to see how it will actually look on your body (but do offer to pay her for her fitting time if you decide not to go ahead with the alterations)

Congrats on your 2 stone weight loss!

When you look back on photos you want to look at you in those pics looking relaxed and having fun. Much easier to relax and have a fantastic time when you are wearing clothes you love.
You may be able to recoup half the cost very quickly if you advertise with other second- hand dresses online, with photos of the dress on you or someone else ( without your face)

What do you think of others suggestions such as non meringue style dresses, high st dresses such as Monsoon wedding dresses, second hand or hired wedding dresses?

You could have the train altered too, if that’s a bit that’s bothering you now the venue has changed?

Anything that costs more than you want to pay can feel deflating once it’s in your hands, I always get deflated after walking out of the iphone shop, for example and that’s just a phone!
Try and separate that feeling from the actual dress. When you paid for it you had no idea the world would be in chaos 6 months later - even the most perfect wedding dress in the world ever would probably make you feel a bit ambivalent right now.

Talk to the dress shop. Get them to pin it properly and then try on your accessories with it. If still not happy, see if you can swap it for one that you prefer in store. If all else fails, then here's a list of high street wedding dress suppliers:

www.hitched.co.uk/wedding-planning/bridalwear-articles/high-street-wedding-dresses-on-a-budget/

I think picking out and the whole concept of 'the dress' is massively over rated. I absolutely hate my dress now 20 years on, cant believe I picked it.

Don't make any decisions until you've had it fitted.

It can make the world of difference.

The whole thing is absurd and your experience sums it up. If I were you I would put the dress on, get married and learn not to bow to ridiculous social conventions that are designed to make women anxious and rinse money out of them.

I didn’t like my dress at all. I had to get one ordered in a bigger size than they had in the shop and it just didn’t look that good on me. It didn’t fit well.
I wore it, I felt Ok, I had a great day. I look at the photos and sometimes wish I’d gone for a different dress but it was a long time ago now...

A similar thing happened to me. It arrived and I hated it and I tried it on and cried. It was two weeks before the wedding. (It was actually the wrong dress but had the same name.) They ordered the right dress and it came within the week and I had it fitted. I didn’t love that one either tbh, but at least it didn’t look like a Lady Di knock off. Anyway, they might buy the dress back and order you something new. It’s not true that they take six months if the shop (a chain) really want one.

Anyone else terrified they'll try their dress on again and hate it now? I am

Mind you right now I'm just hoping I fit in it. Lockdown has made me gain weight.

I am in the same boat but only lost a stone, the dress I chose way back then won't suit my new shape.
My shop lady has said I can go back in when the waiting list has died down and try some more to see how I feel and if necessary she will swap it. Speak to the shop and see what they offer.

I did this. Bought a dress and had it all fitted to me. A few days before the wedding decided I didn't like it.

I went to a local shop that sells off the hanger ones and they had one I loved that fitted, but was just too long. So DH bought it for me and I found a lovely lady in my village to take it up very quickly.

Was so glad I changed my mind.

Don’t panic, wait until you have it properly fitted it will make the world of difference!

Honestly, how can you fit a dress when someone has lost two stones? It’ll look weird surely? Proportions will be all wrong.

Yes, get it fitted and see how you feel.
Incidentally it's quite normal to not love your wedding dress. I wasn't crazy about mine but was on a limited budget and ran out of time.
15 years later, I rarely think about it. Sounds a bit trite I know but much more important to marry the right groom!

The whole thing is absurd and your experience sums it up. If I were you I would put the dress on, get married and learn not to bow to ridiculous social conventions that are designed to make women anxious and rinse money out of them.

Hear, hear, @fuckinghellapeacock.

I was the same op. They had to take four inches from my just and loads off the hips. It looks lovely when it was readjusted. When is first tried it on I cried. It just hung off me and looked terrible. Talk to the shop, they should have or know a seamstress who can suggest changes xx

I agree not to let anxiety sway your decision, but that doesn’t mean you have force yourself to wear a dress you no longer like.
I lost heaps of inches before my wedding and had same issue I thought I should just get it taken in and try not to stress, but the dress just didn’t look right after I lost so much weight,and it was nowhere near as comfortable to wear either.

There are so many low priced outfits and dresses that look gorgeous on if you are able to reconsider.

If you know what styles suit you best, go for it. Get second hand, hired or high st , just don’t wear what YOU don’t like.

The thing is, everyone at the wedding will be there to celebrate with you and share your happiness, not judge you what you or your husband wears

If you want to wear very lacy and formal, do it, and have fun doing it.
If you want to go for a different, simpler dress or outfit, go for it.

@TowandaForever well I had signed a contract to say that once ordered the dress could not be changed. She let me change it without having to lay the full additional price of the new dress and have to keep the original dress too. I didn't give a damn what it cost. I got the dress I wanted 2 weeks before my wedding

*pay

I want the whistles eve dress. Tis beautiful. . And ive been married 12 years. I need a suitable event...

All these replies and OP hasn't come back!