I really don't like my wedding dress - help me find something else, please. :(

[Karbea]

Hi,

I'm getting married in less than two weeks time :D to my lovely gorgeous fiancé.

It's the 2nd time for both of us and we are having a registry office service and then onto a friends gastro pub for the do.


I really struggled with what to wear and ended up getting a candy Anthony 1950s dress. Now it's made, I really don't like it, well actually I just think its wrong, and I think it's going to make me look like a cute little girl, and I want to look like a stylish woman.
I'm only 5ft tall, but I'm 37. My fiancé will look gorgeous in a suit from Richard James he had made.
I didn't sleep at all last night looking at off the peg options. But I'm so confused. I've gorgeous bright blue louboutin shoes so needs to go with them. And I guess can't be long as no time for any alterations.

Zthank you so much, please help me x x

[thomasbodley]

I had a dress made for my wedding and it looked hideous. I'd had the same growing doubts as you've had, and at the last minute I decided there was no way I could walk up the aisle in a dress I wasn't happy with.

I went to Chiltern Street at 3pm on the Wednesday before my wedding, and found a sample dress at one of the many bridal shops there. It was shortened on Thursday, and steamed and collected on Friday. I got married on Saturday at a very grand London venue in front of 150 people, and no-one knew.

It can all be done. Nothing is impossible.

Good luck!

[rubybambini]

Here's a 5'1" friend in Candy Anthony - she looked lovely. I'm not sure if these are adjectives you'd like - but I'd say doll-like and elegant at the same time.

And I loved this dress too, fairly sure it was a Paul & Joe dress, although a few years ago now. Marc by Marc Jacobs has something similar-ish this year, see his Edith dress

Good luck whatever you decide - go with your gut!

[MaryMotherOfCheeses]

Sorry but I think you're bonkers

The dress on your link? It's gorgeous and with those shoes, will be divine.

[NonnoMum]

This is last minute nerves. I LOVE that shape of dress and it is very comtemporary (as well as being kind of vintage too!).

Wear it. You will look great. You will not look like a little girl but like a funky, modern woman.

Perhaps as it's your second marriage you're feeling like you need/look more... mature?

You don't. You will look FABULOUS.

I had a bit of a problem choosing wedding dresses as they didn't make me magically turn into Kylie. Then I realised NO dress could do it but I could do me on a very good day...

[domesticslattern]

The dress is fab. You look great.
I am an example of a person who got married in a wedding dress which probably wasn't perfect... and I knew it at the time. I lost more weight than expected and the dress couldn't be taken in any more because of the beading. On the day of course everyone said I looked fab (that's the job of guests!), DH couldn't give a toss, and it doesn't seem to have affected the big thing, which of course ain't the wedding but the decades of marriage ahead! In my case, I think all my last minute wedding nerves got channelled into the dress ... So whatever you decide, whether to keep it or not, it'll be fiiiiiiiine. good luck!

[RamekinSkywalker]

Karbea, did you go to the shops today? How did you get on?

[Karbea]

Hello,

I walked my feet off today, did, west field, Harvey nicks, and harrods.

I've got the Issa dress, tried it on with my shoes etc and looks good, so I'm happy.

Yep not sure about my hair either now... And the flowers need sorting, but feel a million times happier with the dress.

Thank you all so so much. Xx

[SunnilyEnough]

Which Issa dress did you get? There were a couple on here - please let us know!
So glad you feel happy now.

[FlorenceandtheWashingMachine]

I love Issa. That is a very stylish and beautiful dress.

[WhatsWrongWithYou]

Ooh was it mine the blue one?
I think your hair could be softer, more messy and modern looking - you're young and pretty enough to pull it off. Lots of hanging-down bits.
< gives unsolicited advice >

[Karbea]

I got the white one in the end.

Thank you all so much. Will start a hair and flower thread tomorrow :D x x

[fifitot]

Tell us which one. Am dying to know! FWIW I think you're mad but you have to do what you think is right. Hope you have a lovely wedding - sure you will.

[WhatsWrongWithYou]

That's gorgeous. Looks like a much more flattering shape for your figure.

[fifitot]

Cross post. Nice dress. Very grown up.

[RamekinSkywalker]

Which one? which one?

[chickchickchicken]

yes which one?
iirc there was a white short strapless one and a longer length one

[chickchickchicken]

"I think your hair could be softer, more messy and modern looking - you're young and pretty enough to pull it off. Lots of hanging-down bits.
< gives unsolicited advice >"

i agree with hair advice. sorry, not asked yet i know! (didnt want to say earlier as you had enough on your mind but didnt really like it in the pic)

[ThatVikRinA22]

oh, i was so hoping you were going to say you had decided to stick with the candy dress, i thought it was so beautiful and i love the idea of the blue underskirts, a little twist. what a shame! and i thought your hair went beautifully with the vintage style of the dress, a little bit 50's, i really liked it, im a couple of years older than you.

still, i guess you have to be happy in your dress for the big day.

post a link to your new one.

[goodegg]

Is it this ?

I think you're bonkers tbh but it takes all sorts. If you can afford to spend £2k on a dress and not wear it, I wish I had your income!

[MaryMotherOfCheeses]

REally? That one?

[MrsCampbellBlack]

I love the issa dress!

I am a similar height and build to you and the issa dress would suit me far more than the Candy one.

Also - am sure you'll be able to sell the dress you didn't wear.

[Karbea]

Yes that's the one. I can't really afford to waste £2k, but I really don't think it's right. And I'll sell it, plus I've my dress from my previous wedding so will sell that too, so hoping overall I won't be too out of pocket.

I think I'll probably end up taking both to the venue and maybe try them on and see how I feel, but feel so much more comfortable in the Issa one.

Re hair, show me some pictures... X x

[WhatsWrongWithYou]

Messy wedding hairstyles.

[domesticslattern]

Y y about the hair

[whoneedssleepanyway]

OP I really like the new dress you have chosen and think it will look stunning and elegant, and love the idea of the blue louboutins.

I have to say that I did like the original dress but I think if you don't feel comfortable in it you have done the right thing, you should feel a million dollars on your wedding day.

Maybe a ridiculous suggestion but could you perhaps wear both - wear the original one for the ceremony and then change into the new one for the reception...? Probably a dumb idea as you won't want the hassle of changing etc.

I wonder if you will still change your mind. My friend couldn't sleep on the night of her wedding and went into her mum to tell her she had changed her mind about her dress and hated it, her mum was very practical (and I think knew what the outcome would be) and said, ok the wedding is late in the day we will get up first thing go to Harrods and find something else, as it was she woke up the next morning and changed her mind wore it and looked stunning.

Have a fantastic day and I hope you will post a picture so we can all see how stunning you look.