Wedding Dresses

[Littlepaws18]

So I managed to time two major events a week apart! I'm due on July 30th (have gestational diabetes so I know it will happen then or before then via induction) I'm also getting married in the second week of August. Can I find a nice pregnancy wedding dress?! Nope. Has anyone got any ideas- budget is whatever it costs to look less like a hippo!

Can I ask why you need a pregnancy wedding dress if you won't be pregnant then?

Good luck getting married a few weeks after you give birth though.
Have you thought about moving it?
I couldn't stand for long periods of time after my birth until about 5 weeks after 😬 along with still bleeding and breasts leaking.

I will be keeping everything crossed that you’re actually able to get married then because when I had my GD baby (by c-section after a failed induction) I categorically couldn’t have gone to a wedding - least of all my own - within two weeks. I was still bleeding, leaking milk and healing from the wound at that stage.

Is there any way you can postpone the wedding? Even if you are fit to attend you will enjoy it so much more when you don’t have a newborn to care for.

I will still have a bump I reckon, I'm six months pregnant and my current dress fits. I don't know whether I should risk it and stick with that. How quick/ much does your bump go down?!

I don't want to move it we have moved it twice already x if I'm in pain I'm in pain, I'll handle it! Might need to sit on an air pillow!

It's going to be interesting!! But both events are much wanted and cherished. To me it's more about getting married than the event itself.

I couldn’t walk very much in the couple of weeks after birth - bruised, swollen and bleeding the last thing I would have wanted would be a wedding! But then I know people who have bounced back immediately after birth and been out and about in days.

If it’s your first you might not know what kind of person you are - any of course every birth is different!

@Littlepaws18

I will still have a bump I reckon, I'm six months pregnant and my current dress fits. I don't know whether I should risk it and stick with that. How quick/ much does your bump go down?!

I don't want to move it we have moved it twice already x if I'm in pain I'm in pain, I'll handle it! Might need to sit on an air pillow!

It's going to be interesting!! But both events are much wanted and cherished. To me it's more about getting married than the event itself.

I understand not wanting to move it. But I think you're possibly being a little naive about the pain afterwards. Especially if you do have to have a csection. Sorry, just trying to be realistic.

After a few weeks, your bump will have mainly gone down so there won't be a need for a pregnancy dress. Probably just a dress in a size or two up.

Also massively consider the fact of wearing a white dress and also having to be changing your pad constantly.
I had to change my pad every hour or less for 3 weeks after my birth.

Yes a c section would be quite frankly a disaster! But if it's necessary its necessary. I've had a lot of problems during this pregnancy as I did with my first. I have very close monitoring. But I'm going to persevere with blind optimism that everything will work out.

Last year my father in law died, my closest friend died, I had 3 miscarriages- so these events are much needed for family morale! And I'll do what I can do- if all I can do is get up the aisle and back- I'll just do that!

I might get a dress that's really comfy for the reception- I'm staying the night there so I always have a hotel room to slope off too.

I agree with the other ladies - whilst getting married sounds great after the shit time you’ve had. Doing it two weeks after giving birth is a massive ask. Can you not even delay it for a further 2 weeks and give yourself a full month to recuperate.

Congrats all the same and hope it goes well.

You might be ok with a dress that fits whilst you’re 6 months pregnant. Difficult to know though.

Two weeks after you’re due date is a bit optimistic though, you may need to stay in hospital for a while after birth, and even if you don’t need a C section other procedures are common (especially with induction which is likely with GD) and need longer recovery times. I would also not have been comfortable wearing a white dress two weeks after birth, it’s easy to underestimate the amount of blood after and you’ll be wearing big knickers and thick pads. Add into that sleepless nights, a challenging new born and possibly trying to establish breastfeeding and a wedding will pretty difficult.

It would also be worth Checking if the Hotel would accept a newborn baby staying overnight, many of them dont, some of the Chain hotels stipulate no Children under five years Accomodated. This is due to the potential noise nuisance to fellow guests who may be staying in neighbouring rooms should a Child start crying during the night, or it's Parents attempts to soothe it by playing music, pacing around with it, or Talking loudly during the middle of the night. The policy in these places often Gaurantees a 'Good Nights Sleep' to all guests, or their money Back, hence the ban.

I thought l would mention this as it's the last thing you would need at the end of a long day to be refused access to the Accomodation you had booked.

Hey OP,

Just wanted to wish you luck. I’ve no fashion suggestions, but am planning on attending a family wedding 7 days after birth this summer!

Like you it’s been a hard year - I’m so sorry for your losses - and will swallow my pride and take whatever painkillers are necessary, or use crutches or a wheelchair if needed, to get to the day. Provided I’m not an inpatient, I’ll be there!

And that’s not naivety. Last birth was 4 days labour, emcs, and my wee one spent some time in NICU. I went to an event 10 days later, needed space to sit - and needed to be ok feeding in public. But was so glad I went. Without being there a family member who died would never have met my little girl!

Beyond accommodating the bump(which you will still have). I would recommend thinking very practically about underwear. I wouldn’t have worn white on either occasion (due to blood). For this summer, I’ve big knickers and a size up hold it all in’s for an extra layer: I know I’ll still be in maternity pads, so wanted something not fitted so they couldn’t be seen! My dress is one I can feed in easily, with a full bra and ability to take breast pads - and I got two of them so if I leak through I can change.

Have you spoken to a tailor about your own? Have the reccomendations? Often things can be easily adapted. The can I breastfeed in it UK facebook page has great ideas (may not be relevant to you but just in case!)

For brands that do dresses - there's a lovely brand called Seraphine that do maternity wedding dresses. You might have already found them but sharing just in case! ASOS also have some lovely options if you're open to something a little bit different too. X

Would recommend getting Tena pants www.tena.co.uk/women/products/incontinence-pants rather than wearing big knickers and pads.

Will stop any leaking which will be a weight off meaning you can relax about your dress and they are more comfortable. Also you don't need to change them as often as pads. They're designed to last a whole day.

Also agree with PP that Seraphina do lovely stuff.

Thanks for the fashion advice, I'll check out seraphina. I think I'll wear the dress I always intended too for the church- it should fit as it fits now. And for the reception I'll wear a maternity one that's fairly flowing, comfy and not white maybe pink.

And also thanks for the ideas about underwear, I think that's probably the way forward something huge and tena like 👍 I think if I get this right i will feel much more confident and comfortable.

As for moving it, can tell me I'm stupid as you want but that's not the purpose of this thread, it's more for fashion advice. So those who say I'm being an idiot can get off their soap box!

I have to say that there is a huge gap in the market for pregnancy dresses- either really cheap or really expensive doesn't seem to be a middle ground.

@OnceUponAThread

Would recommend getting Tena pants www.tena.co.uk/women/products/incontinence-pants rather than wearing big knickers and pads.

Will stop any leaking which will be a weight off meaning you can relax about your dress and they are more comfortable. Also you don't need to change them as often as pads. They're designed to last a whole day.

I think this definitely is the way forward thank you I didn't think of this.

@discoballs88

For brands that do dresses - there's a lovely brand called Seraphine that do maternity wedding dresses. You might have already found them but sharing just in case! ASOS also have some lovely options if you're open to something a little bit different too. X

Thanks for the ideas I'll check them out.

Nobody said you were an idiot OP - but if the shoe fits....

@SavannahLands

It would also be worth Checking if the Hotel would accept a newborn baby staying overnight, many of them dont, some of the Chain hotels stipulate no Children under five years Accomodated. This is due to the potential noise nuisance to fellow guests who may be staying in neighbouring rooms should a Child start crying during the night, or it's Parents attempts to soothe it by playing music, pacing around with it, or Talking loudly during the middle of the night. The policy in these places often Gaurantees a 'Good Nights Sleep' to all guests, or their money Back, hence the ban.

I thought l would mention this as it's the last thing you would need at the end of a long day to be refused access to the Accomodation you had booked.

We have booked the whole hotel for the night so this shouldn't be a problem!

@MissingCoffeeandWine

Hey OP,

Just wanted to wish you luck. I’ve no fashion suggestions, but am planning on attending a family wedding 7 days after birth this summer!

Like you it’s been a hard year - I’m so sorry for your losses - and will swallow my pride and take whatever painkillers are necessary, or use crutches or a wheelchair if needed, to get to the day. Provided I’m not an inpatient, I’ll be there!

And that’s not naivety. Last birth was 4 days labour, emcs, and my wee one spent some time in NICU. I went to an event 10 days later, needed space to sit - and needed to be ok feeding in public. But was so glad I went. Without being there a family member who died would never have met my little girl!

Beyond accommodating the bump(which you will still have). I would recommend thinking very practically about underwear. I wouldn’t have worn white on either occasion (due to blood). For this summer, I’ve big knickers and a size up hold it all in’s for an extra layer: I know I’ll still be in maternity pads, so wanted something not fitted so they couldn’t be seen! My dress is one I can feed in easily, with a full bra and ability to take breast pads - and I got two of them so if I leak through I can change.

Have you spoken to a tailor about your own? Have the reccomendations? Often things can be easily adapted. The can I breastfeed in it UK facebook page has great ideas (may not be relevant to you but just in case!)

Thanks for this advice and really good luck on your wedding event too! I hope you can make it there even if it's just for the ceremony. Sending you lots of positive thoughts x

I'm glad I started this thread because I became increasingly frustrated with the lack of options for dresses. But I completely understand why. This dress will be the fifth dress I've bought for this day- I've had a right saga! One of these dresses I bought as a pregnancy dress was a fortune, and sadly I had a miscarriage 1 month after buying it. The dress shop were wonderful gave me the deposit back even! But I can't go back it was a made to measure won't come in time for this one.

This thread has made me realise a few situations like c sections that could happen. I had a really good discussion with my other half about this, we discussed how and when I can go and rest, our home is literally across the road from the hotel, so I can always stay there if needed.

My father in law to be who died, died of ipf. It's a rare form of pulmonary fibrosis. It's a horrific way to go, but even when he was struggling to sit, breath he was determined to come. He was in a far more grave condition and both the hotel and us had a great plan for him.

Yes I'll be suffering, yes I'll be a lot leaky. But it's no where near the worst thing that I could feel and I have the right plans in place- just need a comfy dress and big knickers!

@Analysethat

Nobody said you were an idiot OP - but if the shoe fits....

How's the trolling going? Manage to make any vulnerable people feel like rubbish today? Met your trolling quota yet?

See just because someone disagrees with you - doesn’t mean they are troll.
People were giving you friendly advice and you insulted them first.

If you have a plan in place and you’re prepared then it’ll be fine. Maybe the hotel could set up a comfy sofa area so you could sit there and guests can come to you? And a side room for feeding or quiet time if needed so you don’t have to leave the wedding.

For dresses one of the floaty chiffon styles could look good and be easy for you to move around and change. I’d actually have three dresses, one spare for the reception in case of accidents or leaks.

In addition to your own health there's a possibility baby may be poorly after the birth too. When I had my dd we were both still in hospital at the point you'd be getting married.

So with that in mind my recommendation is actually to bring the wedding forward if possible. Weirdly you'll probably be feeling better and be better able to cope before the birth than right after.

Regarding a dress, weddings are an area I used to work in. One dress that prove very popular with pregnant brides but will not be around now but hopefully you can find something similar, was an empire line dress with sheer overlays that were pencil pleated creating the image of narrow vertical lines so it draped over the bump gently without straining against it - just an idea - also wouldn't sit on or irritate any c-section scar

Also just an idea - if you do go ahead with the post birth wedding you could have a red wedding dress, dresses come in all colours now even if the advertised image is of it in white/ivory etc look at the detail of the various dresses online and you'll often find they are available in a variety of colours. I've seen and dressed brides in amazing dresses in red, blue, purple, green, deep pink, even orange (I wasn't such a fan of that one but the bride loved it and the colour held special meaning for the couple)

Red is actually a fairly widely available colour for wedding dresses now.

Also ensure you have a good BRIDAL seamstress to make any alterations necessary - note it's easier to take a dress IN than it is to let it OUT so err towards too big rather than too small. Non bridal seamstresses tend not to have the skill and experience needed to handle such delicate fabrics and aren't often experienced in working with the shapes of wedding dresses, I've also dealt with many a bride desperately trying to find a last minute dress because a high street seamstress who normally only deals with everyday clothes has messed up their dress! A truly skilled seamstress can alter sizing, change the neckline, add/remove sleeves and straps, balance the shaping and work wonders generally! The seamstress I used to work with (sadly retired now) once altered a wedding dress to make it easier for a disabled bride to not only put on in the first place but be able to manage various medical devices and toileting on the day with minimal help needed from others and still look "traditionally bridal"

If you are still bleeding a lot come the day instead of relying on mere pads - which can leak and slip etc - I'd recommend you get period pants or at least tena pants as there's a larger area of absorbency and they're easier to remove by tearing down the sides rather than trying to remove normally and risking catching blood on the dress. Again also a good seamstress if you advise them of potential issues may well be able to come up with solutions and alterations for you.

But as I say I think bringing the wedding forward might be a better option for you

I'm very sorry for all your losses and heartache

@Littlepaws18 your response then was brilliant. Good Luck with the wedding. Just to add a positive post birth story - I was absolutely fine 2 weeks after birth, I was back doing pole fitness within 3 weeks of her being born. Miraculously the bump went literally as soon as I had my daughter (disclaimer: I'm not a skinny person, I lost a lot of weight prior to being pregnant and was a size 12-14 and went back to that size - I already had a wobbly Tum due to being large from a very young age!)

The dress I spoke of was very similar to the one attached differences being:

Pressed in pleats
Semi sweetheart rather than a deep neckline
Slightly less shaped empire line

i.weddingomania.com/25-airy-and-romantic-empire-waist-wedding-dresses-11.jpg