Wedding dress for older bride, non white, forest wedding

[MapGirlExtraordinaire]

Inspired by the other current thread and all the fantastic ideas there, can anyone help me please?

I'm getting married in the forest next year. General vibe is festivally, very non formal.

I'm early 40s, size ~14, big boobs and a bit of a podgy tum but cracking legs. 5ft5.

I want something I can wear again, and I want to avoid pale colours.

I generally suit jewel tones, esp like blues and teals.

Let's pretend there is no budget, but realistically it's around £1000, though I'd be very happy to spend under £200

Ready to be hit with all your suggestions 🤞🤞🤞

Karen Millen it would show off your lovely legs, but maybe too short.

What about this from Coast? Emerald green, beading, sleeves, slightly boho?
www.coastfashion.com/sequin-angel-sleeve-maxi-dress/ACC99609-572-22.html?istCompanyId=ea18716d-5d4c-45d1-97b5-44f5ccef03c7&istFeedId=804fbb78-ffa6-4f49-ab7a-570411b233ee&istItemId=imrtaaila&istBid=t&gclid=CjwKCAiAjp6BBhAIEiwAkO9WulETDoXXQOo05uME02efAOA6a24AtNM4ZhZWM19DG7eXG30YlBLyshoCKR0QAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

I love the Karen millen one and Coast emerald one, but neither are quite right - I'd like something midway between them!

Love that someone actually posted a dress which had 'Halloween' in the link It's a fab dress but not for me and not for this occasion.

Thanks for the paler wedding dress ideas but I am really keen not to wear a "wedding dress". I can't put it into words but I want a fabulous dress, not a proper wedding dress.

I want the sort of dress I can wear to the theatre, the pub for a friend's 40th 50th if I'm dressing up, a posh work do. It's really important to me I don't wear it just once.

Iggy's burgundy monsoon one is lovely, migjt be worth a try. I just look at it and think I'll look all short and dumpy, in contrast with the tall and gorgeous model.

And ghislaine's dip hem is also lovely, I like the dip hem idea. I worry its a bit plain, and also that the ruffles on the front will add to my ample bosom / sit weirdly.

I am vaguely aware of the concept of accessorising a plain dress to make it a fancy outfit, anyone got any suggestions for how to style something like the dip hem dress?

I haven't thought about shoes yet. I am a fan of wedges, prob won't wear spiker heels in the forest. I'll also prob keep some flats for when it's dancing time.

I like metallic, like the idea of eg a gold sandal. I'd definitely wear that again

I’d wear red if I were you as you will just pop compared to greenery of the forest and grass. It is classic wedding colour that predates the white trend started by Queen Victoria.

weddingdressesguide.com/red-wedding-dresses/

I like corona's dress but it would need to be another colour, maybe emerald or teal. I'm not sure about the Bardot sleeves though, they might slip down and end upmkaing the wedding memorable for all the wring reasons

This is my favourite one.

this is pretty wow! never heard of them before though.

I think this would suit your figure and be beautiful with a wreath of flowers in your hair. Depends if embroidery is your thing.

Elegant but definitely wow!

I love a bit of sparkle and am rather enjoying this site, worth a look...

Sorry, a couple more:

midi with sequin embellishments

dipped hem

and another

Sorry, got a bit carried away there. I just want to get married in the woods now!

I’ve also thought that Thread and Needle do gorgeous dresses too
intl.needleandthread.com/collections/embellished-dresses

Plan that it my fave too! I think to look good in that dress I'd even be willing to cut down on cheese and try and loose some weight, and I don't say that lightly. It's wonderful. I spent a car journey this morning trying to find it, I didn't succeed but I have a feeling it is going to be PRICEY, if its by the designer Inga Egerzales (sp?). I had a look at her page on fb and whilst none of the dresses were quite what I want, they were closer to the rigjt vibe than anywhere else I've seen.

I'm happy to spend £1k, possibly a bit more, but I don't want to spend eg £3k for a bespoke dress, that begins to defeat the point of a dress I can wear again if it's that much.

The dress you posted is definitely the right feel though, but equally it's not the only rigjt feel, iyswim?

Lily thanks for those! I agree the site has some nice ones. I wasn't sure abojt any you posted but I'll have a good look there and see what other choices they have.

The pale blue one is gorgeous but I feel it needs someone more youthful or it might not look so fresh and gorgeous on me. I think I migjt have to dust the credit card off, buy a bunch, and see what I think in the flesh rather than guessing though

At size 14 and 5ft 5, I think you’d look good as you are. Keep the cheese but add some arm toning exercises in and you’d look gorgeous.

This is lovely but might not be exciting enough?

https://www.nancymac.co.uk/products/aurora-dress-in-deco-velvet-devoree-1?pos=1&&sid=75604a2b4&ss=r

I got this for my son’s wedding, Monsoon, £250, felt v festivally

And this one is probably too far the other way...

rixo.co.uk/collections/dresses/products/venus-turquoise-dip-dye

www.johnlewis.com/chi-chi-london-loren-lace-floral-crochet-dress-navy/p4811310

Love this hopeandivy.co.uk/collections/new-season/products/the-amelie

Or this hopeandivy.co.uk/collections/new-season/products/the-fleur

This is STUNNING!!!

www.thandth.com/gowns/grace-emerald

How about this? Top end of your budget but very elegant and striking: www.net-a-porter.com/en-gb/shop/product/marchesa-notte/cape-effect-embellished-tulle-and-crepe-gown/1295017

I love this frockandfrill.com/products/kara-embellished-midi-dress-with-pleated-skirt?variant=32499005849662