Help me find my wedding dress please!

[Inyourwildestdreams]

Getting married this spring. Local registry office followed by a family meal. Very small handful of people attending 😊

I have absolutely no idea what kind of thing I want to wear 🙈😅

I’m plus sized (size 22) - really dislike my belly and top of arms. I am large chested so things with a very high neckline don’t really work, and It rather not be overly booby so nothing too low. Open to both full length and shorter styles. I don’t want a full on traditional wedding dress but would like to feel/look somewhat bridal 🤔 so I guess maybe ivory? Flexible budget for the right thing but I’m always open to bargains 😊

I have nobody to go for the wedding dress shopping experience with and would rather not go alone so I’m hoping you can all be my helpers and help me scour the met for the best options 😁😊

I don’t know about the quality of these, but what about an ivory tuxedo style jacket, with trousers or over a slip style dress, or skirt and cami top?

some pretty dresses too, and I think they’d look better on someone less slim than the model.

or is there a local dressmaker who could make you one? They’re usually good at advising too, and could tweak a style you like to suit you.

Last idea, is there a charity shop near you that does wedding dresses? It’s great as you can try on different styles, and they are obviously available to buy with no wait. A friend got a beautiful dress from one.

I am also a size 20/22 and one thing I have discovered is that colour is so important. I went to one of those House of Colour workshops and in short - people either suit white or ivory - not both.
White is a cool colour and Ivory is a warm colour. There is a few ways to tell - if you take off any makeup and tie your hair back - put a white colour (tee-shirt/towel?) over your hair and then do them same with a cream colour and see what looks better on you. Another way is do you look good in yellow? As all warm colours have a yellow tone. Or if you go to a makeup counter do they choose a warm or cool foundation for you? If they choose warm look for an ivory or cream dress, if they choose cool look for a white, silver or pale grey dress.
Also - try and pin point what says 'wedding dress' in your mind. Is it the colour? Does it need lace? You might find you open up more options looking for descriptions of dresses rather than a 'wedding dress' as such.
I mean does a wedding dress in your mind need to be long to the ground?
Also, try and have fun with this - whatever you wear on your special day you will be glowing with happiness and that's true beauty.

Maybe also consider what in your current clothing shapes you think suit you and so people can look for these styles - maybe post photos of the dresses you have and like already. I have a big tum after having twins - I can only wear dresses which fall nicely past my waist.....

chesca do special occasion wear for larger ladies like us!
Chesca Godet Tulle Wedding Dress, Ivory at John Lewis & Partners

I am partial to a chesca cape dress - they come in different colours and in both mid to long lengths - flatters the arms as the cape floats over them and flatters the tummy as cape also skims over this area.
chesca cape dress - Search Images (bing.com)

You love Needle & Thread (so do I) so have you looked at these? Both available in size 22.

https://www.needleandthread.com/products/celestia-ribbon-ankle-gown-champagne?_pos=9&_fid=4a54955cb&_ss=c&variant=39882058924107

https://www.needleandthread.com/products/celia-long-sleeve-ankle-gown-champagne-pink?_pos=16&_fid=4a54955cb&_ss=c&variant=40073397010507

@Lavenderosa i have 😊 I don’t like the second one - I think it’s far too shapeless for me and would make me feel even larger.
I do like the first one but really struggle in strapless bras and wouldn’t want straps on show through the lace!

@Ohnoooooooo Most recently I’ve worn these two dresses to occasions and felt nice 😊

If you really like the first one, someone handy with a needle could line the see-through bits for you so you could wear a normal bra.

Good luck anyway! 💐

@Lavenderosa Thats true actually 🤔 Maybe it’s worth a try on 😬🤞🏼 Although I’m sure I’ve read that their styles come up quite small so I’m not sure it’ll fit my chest but we’ll see 😅

@Inyourwildestdreams Are you anywhere near/can go to Glasgow?? I hear good things about Bijoux Bridal - a friend went there and they are very plus size friendly and actually like you to come alone so they can really spend time working out what you like. Maybe worth the trip, but I'm sure others exist in the UK!

Maybe try it in a 24, which could always be nipped in where needed?

@Inyourwildestdreams

https://www.monsoon.co.uk/jennifer-long-sleeve-bridal-maxi-dress-ivory-34410646.html

@shrodingersvaccine Thank you! I’m not far from Glasgow at all so could be worth a trip. I’ll contact them over the weekend and see what they have available “off the rack” as I don’t have long enough to order something 😊

@Lavenderosa Yeah I definitely will 😊

@TheSquareMile Thank you 😊 I do like the sleeves on this one but the rest feels a bit old fashioned for me 🤔

https://rixolondon.com/products/fleur-corded-lace

Hello, hoping some of you are still around 🤞🏼😊 I’ve ordered (and sent back 😩) quite a few suggested on this thread so thank you for all your input!! Some were lovely but just not quite right!

Ive found one that I like and that fits nicely BUT it needs a strapless bra and I really do hate a strapless bra 😢 So I’m back on the hunt - can anyone find anything similar to this that will allow me to wear a proper bra? Doesn’t have to be identical - I like that this one has a sleeve, skims over the tummy and the beading is pretty!

OP I know it’s probably not something you’re comfortable with but get yourself to a good bra shop who will fit you properly and find you a strapless option you can be comfortable in. I made an appointment at a boutique near me and the lady announced my bra size when I walked in (which was a LOT different to the size I had been wearing) and tried me out with different options. Don’t give up on the dress you like!

Also that dress would ideally need a strapless bra too- even nude bra straps would show through the netting.

@Revelwithacause the one pictured is the one that I like 😊 sorry, I’ve worded that badly!
I have been and been fitted for a strapless bra unfortunately! I have one that definitely fits. I’m an H cup though and just don’t feel comfortable in them at all.

This is lovely! Where is it from? Was following this thread as I am in the same boat as you :)

Oh that's gorgeous! Could you not see if a dressmaker could fit a peace of material in the back?

No idea if it's an option but I had my dress altered to include 'boob shelves' (😂) so no need for a bra. My dress was more structured on top though so not sure it'd work with the design you showed.

@Inyourwildestdreams you can buy clear plastic bra straps so that you don't have to wear a strapless bra?

If the only problem with the dress you love is having bra straps showing then you can get clear bra straps for about £7 from John Lewis and M&S I know JL do a version for DD+ cups which is pretty sturdy. They're really for strapless bras but you can put them onto a normal bra (or if you're a bit worried about doing it yourself a local seamstress or repairs place could do it for you and it shouldn't cost that much.