To ask you to find me a dress for a shotgun wedding!

[Tp4mybung]

Was due to elope in October and I'd started to make my own dress.
However, I found out last week I'm pregnant again, so we're bringing it forward to 4 weeks time (eep!). I'm not fussed about a having a big wedding, but childish as it sounds, I've always dreamed about having a beautiful wedding dress. I'm very girly but have never, ever had an excuse to dress up, or wear something gorgeous and I'm determined to do so just the once!

I'm still going to finish my dress, even if it's only so DD(7) can have it when she's older (FAR too many hours have gone into it, I've done so much embroidery). There's not a chance in hell it'll be finished in 5 weeks though.

Budget is tiny - about £100 - as I've already spent on material for the original dress, and there's a baby to save for now.
I'm size 12, 5"4, prefer sleeves and a "fit and flare" style as I've got fat arms/stomach - but am open to other suggestions.

Pic attached is what I've been recreating, only with sleeves (to give an idea of what "look" I like), but I realise I'm not going to get anything like this for my timescale and budget!
Wedding is simple registry office, in-n-out job, but the building is very pretty and rural.

Please throw your ideas at me, I'm so crap at this!

Your dress sounds lovely, maybe finish it and wear it for an anniversary?
Also, being completely nosey, could you post a picture of it, I'm just getting into embroidery and would love to see it?

the dress you are making is beautiful, and I also love the one espresso suggested. No useful suggestions from me I'm afraid, but hope you have a fabulous day whatever you wear x

Also, being completely nosey, could you post a picture of it,
I was going to ask the same thing! It would be a shame not to wear it for a wedding dress. Maybe someone could suggest how to finish it quickly.

Going to sound like a total sap, but I've just finished link-clicking and I like them all .
I'm obviously either not very discerning - or you're all far too good at this .

I'd never heard of chichi but all their dresses are totally my style, and I'm definitely going to look there as a first port of call when I next need a dress!

Have ordered the asos one - it was both the cheapest and my favourite so I think it was meant to be! I can whip up something simple for underneath, or add a liner so I'll feel as though I've at least made some of it.

So I'm sorted, you guys are amazing, thank you so much

There 10 on StillWhite for £100. This simple yet dramatic one is a bargain and has sleeves. Could you jazz it up to be more your style?

www.stillwhite.co.uk/71119-athena-maria

(And if it doesn't look right on, I'm going for the French Connection one. They're all so lovely I could cry)

Can you find a local person/dressmaker to help you finish your dress in the time frame?

Is this any good?

DP has suggested I finish it for our first anniversary, and we'll have a family wedding-style photo shoot.

I'll post some pics once I've finished this next section - any excuse to show off! I'm still sewing away at it.

By shotgun I meant quick! Not unwillingly - awkward choice of words there. We'd decided to try for a second but after difficulty conceiving DD1 did not expect it to happen on quite literally the first attempt

That's a lovely idea! Waiting in anticipation of a pic!

OP, no sleeves, but would you consider this dress?

DP has also found some 80s style monstrosities (think princess di only with MORE frills) on eBay and as far as I can tell genuinely thinks they're really nice . He loves the ASOS one though (and the price), so job definitely done.

I'd got pretty fixated on the dress I think, but seeing all these lovely high street ones has convinced me I can have something pretty with zero stress.
I love the one I'm making, but only because all the little details remind me of our life and family (there's a hilarious story behind the embroidered "wedge of cheese flying through a window" hidden amongst the flowers!).
I just want to marry him now .
I'm definitely rambling here - I've just got so many feelings at the moment, I'm usually pretty reserved I swear!

I'm being extra super neat on this hoops-worth of fabric so you all think I'm very talented.

Expect a further 500 photos of every tiny little detail when I'm finally done

Have you tried the ASOS app? You can up load the picture of the dress you like and it finds you everything similar

Oxfam have a great online bridal shop, some of the pictures aren’t great but there is LOTS of choice and many things are under £100

www.herdress.co.uk/tulle-1-2-sleeves-applique-tea-length-scoop-a-line-princess-dress.html?ref=googleplauk&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIkvKNtOvf2gIVCl8ZCh0R0QXFEAkYEyABEgLlFvD_BwE

I love this. I have never used the website though so make sure you google that they're legit before buying anything!

Yay! @thewayoftheplatypus & I get a slice of wedding cake, yes?
Try code FUTHER10 for another 10%off the ASOS one.

Damn, wish I'd noticed! Might have to cancel and re-order to save another fiver .
I'm just hoping the 14 isn't too big - although it's an excuse to indulge all the cravings!

WeeM those are lovely.

Hope you do get the original dress finished. I think someone above has already suggested seeing if a local embroiderer's group could help - and you've quite clearly indicated your need to finish it personally, which I can absolutely understand. Was going to offer to help if I were near enough and you wanted to round up a group to get it finished "on time".

Best wishes!

Their stuff is lovely for the price @deste

Please let us see where you’re at with your dress! Could you “finish” the embroidery to a point that it looks done but you can add to it again? The ASOS dress is lovely though.

I would also love to see your dress you are making it soubds lovely especially with the personal details x

Watch the styles you pick on chichi as I bought a beautiful navy lace short sleeved dress and the sleeves were so tiny it was unreal. The dress fitted perfectly to the bust but as I have been bigger previously and my arms are still a bit flabby, despite all the exercise I do, I couldn't even consider getting my arms in. I ended up ditching the sleeve idea and bought a nice stretchy short jacket to go with a sleeveless dress instead.

What will you wear under the ASOS one?
Shall we find you something?