Help! How to walk in wedding dress!?

[thismotherhoodthing]

I get married in two days and I am really struggling to walk in my dress. I think it's potentially a teeeny bit too long but it's too late to change it as there is so much detail at the bottom which would need unpicking.

I am really stressed as whenever I practice walking in it I get it caught on my shoes and trip. I have to navigate some stairs as part of our ceremony and I'm now panicking about how to do that without falling. I'm not sure if this is just normal when trying to walk in a wedding dress or if my dress is just too long - either way I'm quite stressed

Any words of wisdom or advice ?

Can you wear different shoes? Or lift the dress?

Put one foot in front of the other, you'll be absolutely fine. Worst case, hold it gracefully when navigating stairs just to lift it from under feet if necessary. Enjoy your day!

Kick as you step so kick then foot down. Are you having something that will pin it up a bit later in the night or a loop for round your wrist? That helped me a lot with mine. Put it on and walk round the house for practice.

@Russell19 I practiced on my stairs and the only way I could do it was to bend down and lift the whole dress, struggling to do it gracefully haha. The stairs at the venue are shallower than my stairs though so hopefully that will
Play a factor. I have to walk up them rather than down though which I find tricky

@Anonnnnnnm haha I think this is the issue I'm not graceful!

@Thestoppedfan I have a thing to pin it up and a hand loop. It's the front that I'm tripping on, literally every step I take I am getting it caught. I will try the kicking thing - I'm going to look like a weirdo aren't I! Haha

Any full length dress needs picked up at the front in order to walk up steps. That's totally normal! Just practice picking it up

@NoToLandfill haha I know, I'm just saying I can't just slightly lift it cause there's a bit too much at the front. I've been practicing the kicking technique and it's definitely helped!

Take it slow..Is someone waling you down the aisle? You could lean on them for support. I'd hold it a little with on hand to the side IYSWIM

Could you wear a hoop underneath it? My wedding dress was a full skirt, floor length with a tonne of petticoats under it. My dress maker loaned me a hooped underskirt, it made walking in it so much easier. This link has different ones for different dress styles, but they all essentially have a plastic adjustable hoop at the bottom to keep the dress off your feet, giving you space to walk.
theweddingveilshop.co.uk/bridal-accessories/accessories/underskirts/

I found sort of kicking it - with my leg rather than foot - helped. Could you practise in the venue first?

Is there a way to secretly safety pin the front edge? 🤔

Maybe a dressmaker could shorten it by unpicking it at the waist and reattaching it to the bodice. Rather than shortening the hem.

Just a thought, I realise you don’t have a lot of time.

Can you sew a white loop to one side and hold on to that, just for the stairs?

So many good tips thank you! A hoop isn't an option cause of the style of the dress - it's a satin material - but a good suggestion. I'm walking myself down the aisle but I think I will just have to take it really slowly and try and practise. Unfortunately I can't have it taken up as the wedding is two hours away and we leave first thing. I have the hand loop so I'm going to use that as much as possible and possibly change into a jumpsuit for dancing!

It's one thing you don't get taught, how to drive a wedding dress, I was terrified of walking on mine, lt had a long train which had a loop to hook over a button at the back. My feet were killing me & I have to admit I sneeked my white trainers on when we got to the reception venue.

Have someone to assist if you need the toilet, it's hard to gather all your dress & reverse in to a cubicle.

Aww, have a great time @thismotherhoodthing - I'm sure the challenge of driving your wedding dress (LOL) will soon become second nature as the events of the day takeover.

This is why you have bridesmaids they should be there to raise your dress