Gaaaaaah, I am getting married in 6 weeks. Have no dress, no manicure, no make up. Help!

[Hopefully]

I may be in the running for the least-organised-bride-ever award. There is an award for that, right?

Anyway, DP and I are getting married in 6 weeks. I gave birth to DS2 9 weeks ago (here's a tip: if you are struggling to conceive, just start planning your wedding. You will fall pregnant instantly). I look exactly as you might imagine someone to look who gave birth 9 weeks ago - my body is emphatically not buffed, polished and moisturised, I don't appear to own a cleanser apart from soap and none of my make up is the right colour (I was pale, interesting and working in London last time I had much call for it).

And so, wise MNers of both style and beauty, I throw myself on your mercy. Help me look, if not like a magazine bride, at least vaguely human on my wedding day.

A little bit of information about me:

• I am 5'6 and around 11st 6lb (a good size 14). I am 30-day-shredding (and BFing) and hoping to be below 11st in 6 weeks, so a big size 12/small 14
• I have ginormous BFing boobs of doom (32FF)
• I am an hourglass shape
• I have about 45 minutes a day to myself for all beautifying to take place (25 minutes of which is spent Shredding) thanks to DS2 not understanding that it's nice to occasionally go more than 8 minutes between feeds, and DS1 demanding attention the odd time that DS2 does manage it. *There are going to be 120 guests at our wedding. I would like to not alarm them by looking totally rough
• Colouring - I am brunette with kind of hazel eyes (sort of multi-coloured pale green/brown/blue). I am 'clear and warm' according to /colour Me Beautiful. This essentially means lots of bright, clear colours, no cold, muted tones, and white is out. Pinks, (bright) blues, reds, teals etc are often good.
• I am 28. I used to be quite stylish and cool (I think. Possibly I was the only one who thought so, of course...).

Here is just a small selection of things I am panicking about:

• Being fat - I am about 1.5st heavier than pre-pregnancy and feeling fat. I have completely forgotten how to diet. Give me tips! We eat on a tight budget, so can't do atkins or anything clever.
• Hands - this is the one and only time in my life that my hands are likely to be examined/photographed/admired. They are currently somewhat grubby, unmanicured and dry. Should I start looking after them now?
• Feet - not too awful, but have terrible hard/cracked skin on heels. If I don't wear a full length dress they will be visible.
• I have that bumpy upper arm skin. Have read that foot cream helps. REALLY? My skin is crap - greasy, spotty, yet showing first signs of wrinkles. I need a good skin care routine. I used to use Eve Lom, and will splash out again if you tell me it's worth it. The dress - yeah, no dress. I don't really want to wear ivory, but would consider it in a non-weddingy style (I am definitely not a candidate for a white meringue). I am still toying with making it (am competent seamstress, but am already making clothes for DS and shirt for DP, and have six weeks), but if not will have to buy it. Could probably stretch to £500+ for absolutely perfect dress that could be worn again for occasional black tie things, would prefer £2-300. Dress doesn't need to be BF-friendly - I will go inside the house (marquee in relative's garden) to feed if necessary. Will probably be wearing proper underwear anyway, so easy-access dress will be wasted
• Make up - I used to wear a reasonable amount, have not worn more than powder/mascara/blusher for about a year. I like Clarins and Mac. Prefer stuff not tested on animals. What do I need?
• Hair - I'll be doing my own hair and make up. How?! What products do I need?
• Shoes - reception is in outside marquee (i.e. there will be walking on grass involved), so wedges/flip flops/ballet pumps seems sensible. all suggestions welcome!
• DS1&2 - what the hell do you do with your own child/baby on your wedding day? Am contemplating arranging a grandparent rota for babysitting. Suspect DP will end up with DS2 in the sling, as he does not deign to sleep alone yet (wedding night should be a laugh ). Will DS1 (2.8yrs) just stay up stupidly late? We are staying in the house, so don't need to transport him for sleep.

We have spent a blardy fortune on this wedding, and I know it will be absolutely wonderful. I would like to be able to look back at photos (taken by the obscenely expensive but wonderful photographer) and not think how crap I look. Help me!

I sympathise, I organised our wedding in about 6 weeks with an 18 month old. I got a beautiful wedding dress from Monsoon, very reasonable. Definintely get some secret support undies from M & S. Don't worry about your feet, no-one will notice them. Try to get a hairdresser to put your hair up if you can. It's not easy to do an 'up' do that will last all day, and it'll make you feel special and pampered.

Mother hadn't even thought of fat pants. Will definitely invest in some bust to knee ones (between the BFing baby and the fat pants, DP is going to have a wedding night to remember...)

Imopop and jopayton have never heard of gel nail things. Will investigate asap. Do many beauty salons offer them?

whoneeds thanks for personal shopper idea. Have always been terrified of the concept, but maybe now is the time to be brave...

Franke my neckline/bust area isn't in great shape (another panic area) - will try to remember to moisturise it.

Bubbakin the mint velvet dess is beautiful, but worried that I would look more ageing chubby hippy than ethereal flower-girl type in the picture. Am somewhat more, ahem, sturdy than her.

Am scared of spray tan. What if they orangify me? I suppose if it's a few days before I could body scrub furiously in case of disaster. Have quite bad farmer tan though, so suppose I'll have to do something.

Low messy bun sounds beautiful. Wonder if there are tutorials online? Any product recommendations to keep it in all day very welcome! Hair is a couple of inches longer than shoulder length, poker straight and quite thick. Nothing that involves curling will stay in. astar I will gp search youtube. Did you just search for wedding hair tutorials?

Colonel do you know where in London is good for Vivienne Westwood? If I go on a shopping trip I'll need to maximise brands in one venue. Do they have it at Selfridges? Anyone know?

Blue anglomania dress v pretty. not sure if it's a bit, umm, stylish for me? Would I look like a big fat fake wannabe fashionista? Also like tinfoil one, bar huge neck bow.

Does anyone know if clarins/bobbi brown etc people out of london are as well trained as london types? Have various counters at local HofF, but live in provincial (although v rich) town. Could book makeover for hypothetical london trip though.

petit I have no idea of style! Something flattering for ginormo-boobs.

Mayday will go check out her site right now. DP's sis is in SE London (lewisham), so quite doable.

polyhymnia def not going for mamma mia look - I am not blonde, waifish or living on a greek island. I think there's a spaceNK in town, will see if they have eve lom. Can practically count it as part of wedding budget, after all!

Tethersend* I love that dress, but fear it would make boobs extend from shoulders to waist. Thoughts?

CMOT where does one find a mobile beautician? Mind you, wealthy relative (in whose garden we are having reception) probably has her own beautician on call. Will ask her.

whatswrong that Biba dress is GORGEOUS. Lovely shape. Wonder which HofFs have biba in stock.

I am feeling a teensy bit less scared now. And have a very long list of things to do.

I have a lingering feeling that body brushing should be involved somewhere...

VW in Selfridges or Liberty. Please go and try some on. I am as unfashiony and unbeautiful as you can find but if I can do it, so can you!

Oh and try bio-oil on neck/chest.

I only had 8 weeks to plan my wedding but was able to get my wedding dress in a normal bridal shop- in fact I had appointments at eight and they were all willing to sell me a sample. I saved about a third on the normal price. so just phone a few boutiques up, explain your situation and they will get out what they have and are willing to sell.

should also say, my dress came dry cleaned (at their suggestion as others had tried it on) and with free alterations.

Hopefully - have sent you a PM - hope it helps! :)

As a fellow 32FF "sufferer" (with no excuse of BF) I'd say go for a dress with a bit of shape, rather than drapy Grecian style. If boobs are big you need a definite waist/high waist and totally not strapless, you need a dress you can wear an iron-clad bra underneath to give you a beautiful shape, strapless will never do it. either wide straps or cap sleeves, after trying on you will know what suits you better. The Biba dress was lovely though and would give you one shoulder support!

Personal shoppers are very good these days, I would recommend JL.

Also nothing to stop you having straps added to a strapless dress or a little matching shrug or lace top made. Good luck!

Ooh yes, get yourself fitted with a proper bra. If you're going up to London, Rigby and Pellar is the way to go. If you wear a bra that fits, you will have a waist.

Please order the Biba dress that whatswrong linked to - it's beautiful!! Probably best to order a 14 then have it taken in (there will be loads of seamstresses in the Yellow pages). Don't get it however before you have been to Rigby and Peller for some serious scaffolding. They fitted me with a strapless basque that still makes me feel like Marilyn Monroe whenever I fight my way into it!!

Hopefully, you might be best phoning around - our HoF stocks Biba but I've never seen that dress there. I seem to remember the poster who was going to wear it said it was quite moulded underneath the drapes, which bodes well for the scaffolding aspect!

I went shopping for my dress 6wks before the wedding too, but it was October so a lot less choice of dresses and accessories. I bought a maxi dress from Coast - it only cost £130!

My hands & feet get very dry too & I find that massaging Neutrogena Norwegian Formula hand cream into cuticles before bed is the only thing that keeps them in a reasonable condition! Good for feet too & you only need a tiny bit. For upper arms a body scrub is essential - put it on dry before you shower it will be more effective. I use Liz Earle body scrub. I also think Liz Earle is good for facial skin care - not too pricey and can be ordered online.

As far as diet & exercise go, I agree with other posters in that if you have correct underwear you don't really have to bother! You could try some hand weights to tone up your arms - they're most likely to be on display?

If you're wearing control underwear during the day, slip into something sexier just before bed so your husband doesn't notice!!

Good luck x

Very exciting, it will all be great. If you were thinking of putting your hair up in a chignon I think hair scroos would make you fell a lot more confident that it would stay in place. I had six from the 90's and they are the bollocks don't show once in your hair and I only need two to hold an up do with my thick frizzy mop.Stays in all day with no movement and feels really secure. Unfortunately they stopped making them and I only have one left. I will chop off my kids arms if they every lose it. They do sell chinese knock offs on ebay but I don't know if they will be as good. This is what I am on about.
www.hey-dollface.com/tag/hair-scroo
ANd this is is a tutorial on how to make them. www.longhaircommunity.com/archive/showthread.php?t=62743

I am not 100% certain, but I think Claires Accessories sell those screw things fir your hair. I was looking at them last week wondering if they would work! Worth a look if you have one nearby.

Actually if you're going to R&P (which is a most excellent idea) get them to fit you with breath-wateringly expensive but attractive and effective undergarments from knees upwards.

Okay I just got married with our 14 month old in tow so I can hopefully give some insights there! She went to nursery as normal in the am and then came back to do the getting ready thing and then the wedding. She was as good as gold during the ceremony, drinks bit and meal. She loved running up and down the garden and she LOVED the other children. have you got other children coming? Great distraction for yours. Even baby should love watching them for a bit.
Have you got mum and MIL coming? They were both very willing to take charge of dd between them which was awesome as I had no worries doing my own thing a bit. In the evening dd held out till half eight and then got really upset. I sat with her for a bit but eventually MIL took her back and put her to bed about 10pm.
We had a little boy of 3 at our wedding and he stayed up till half ten and then fell asleep on a bank of chairs his mum made for him. He also fell asleep in his coco pops at breakfast the morning after!
Just get lots of relatives on duty to help out.
I also bought amazing rose grips for my hair for just under £2 each from here - they were really simple and gorgeous and kinda made my outfit:
www.weddingshopshropshire.co.uk/wedding-shop/hair-accessories-flower-hair-grips-clips-&-combs-11/
Have a fantastic time most importantly.

Guildford HOF has Biba.

Hi

I would suggest that if you have the time and/or money then have a relaxing massage a day or two before the wedding.

It may not make you LOOK better but it will certainly make you FEEL better (and will help relax you too) and as we all know if you FEEL good then you will LOOK good.

Simples.

Congratulations BTW, Im sure you will be a gorgeous bride-well you ought to be with all the "beautifying" advice everyone has given you

I knew this would be you! Will have a read and see if I can think of anything.

meglet, I am so predictable.

Thank you for continued advice!

Pomme I'm not too far from Guildford, will give them a call, thanks.

Splashed out on body scrub and foot cream/body lotion today. Not mega expensive ones, but I figure using something has to be an improvement on previous total body abandonment.

Oh God, eyebrows. Have just looked in a mirror. Mine are in terrible shape. Is it worth getting them threaded when I next go to London? Presumably even if I need to do some tidying up before wedding they will be a better shape than if I am let loose on them alone. Aren't there sometimes places in department stores you can get them done? Am thinking maybe I could combine with a selfridges/liberty trip.

Just wanted to say hi and congratulations and good luck :)

I'm getting married in 6 and a bit weeks and I got the dress online last week but it's sold out in the size I need so I'm currently starving myself and sucking up to a local dressmaker!

This thread has given me lots of motivation to sort out my nails and eyebrows ... thank you :)

Yes get eyebrows threaded in London. Within a week and then you can tidy them up yourself. 2 if you are not too hairy! They do often havd in dept. Store threaders or even follow the signs to the side street beauty places. It will cost £8-£12. Ask them to tidy and shape but don't let them cut across the top as it looks wonky and wrong.

As a makeup artist I think beauty counters are often dreadful but I have found Libertys Laura Mercier or Hourglass counters to be very good and tastefully done.

I'm happy to advise RE products on here too.

Good luck!