Please help me pick a nice evening dress for my elopement!

[Purplehearts9066]

Hi all

I'm eloping to Scotland in May - it'll be just the two of us (plus celebrant & photographer), and we're getting a boat out to a stunning loch where we'll be getting married.

I'm looking for a dress to wear that fits my personal style and is within a budget of around £300. I want something long, and I'll be wearing hiking or lace-up leather boots underneath.

I'm unsure yet if I'm going to wear white or black. I'm leaning a bit more towards a black dress - I am a bit of a goth and I always feel my best in black. I love clothes and appreciate nice fabrics and good cuts. I'd rather spend my budget on a high quality "normal dress" rather than a very cheap "wedding dress".

I'm having a hard time finding something to wear though - even trying things on is challenging because in my city the department stores that sold that kind of thing have closed down and very few shops stock "evening gown" type stuff.

My shape/features:

• Just under 5"7
• Slim (size 6-8) with a small waist
• Long dark hair
• Boob deficient

My style:

• Sharp lines
• I like a bit of "drama" but I need this to come from shape/structure/fabric, unusual design features. I strongly dislike fussy details on myself.
• High necks, sharp v-necks, halternecks, boat-necks
• Nothing "booby" (i.e sweetheart necklines, padding) but I can pull off some plunging necklines as long as they're sharp.
• Gothic/edgy/alternative elements
• Fine lace
• Prefer wearing one colour head-to-toe and my preferences are black, white and emerald green

The Wedding Look I want:

• A dress that will look cool in photos with a mountain back-drop
• Going for a slightly gothic look with my make-up
• Would like a veil or cape

Please help me!!

In particular, I'd really like your thoughts on:

• Retailers/brands/shops to consider
• Any suggestions for dresses - hit me with your links!!
• If you happen to know of any shops in the South Wales area where I could try on dresses

Thanks so much all!

That’s really pretty dress

Do it. It's your special day.
And then sell it afterwards, recoup some cash.

I’d have a look on the Outnet, can’t see anything exactly right in budget currently but worth keeping an eye on there. Not easy to try on in store but returns are good

I'm doing the same!!!!!

I love the art deco style and looking at this type if thing in silver for the marriage and evening.

https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1048809172/unique-blush-wedding-dress-in-20s-art.

Oooh hello fellow eloper!!! That is STUNNING! I love the freedom eloping is giving me to just choose a dress I feel fabulous in. I don't know about you but I've tried on a few wedding dresses and didn't like them and actually felt a lot less beautiful than I do in my favourite LBD even. When is your wedding? 😃

I think the danger of some of these suggestions is that they look a bit costume-like (as if you were dressed as Morticia for Halloween).
I would go with a Vampire's Wife dress, rented if necessary, and a fabulous cape over it. In emerald green.

these are very gothic wedding styles

https://www.johnlewis.com/true-decadence-athena-pleated-long-sleeve-maxi-dress-black/p111241892?size=8&s_ppc=2dx_mixed_fashion_BAU&tmad=c&tmcampid=2&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIjfL9svPqhAMVH6SDBx3AUgDbEAQYGiABEgL6wfD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

https://www.karenmillen.com/premium-crystal-embellished-woven-maxi-dress/BKK14354-105-16.html?gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIyripgPTqhAMVuK6DBx11GQqDEAQYBSABEgKSMvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

https://www.karenmillen.com/tall-placed-velvet-devore-woven-long-sleeve-maxi-dress---/BKK14360-105-14.html?gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIjfL9svPqhAMVH6SDBx3AUgDbEAQYBiABEgIIzvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

https://www.wolfandbadger.com/uk/zinnia-maxi-dress-in-navsoul-black/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&adgroupid=&utm_term=&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIyripgPTqhAMVuK6DBx11GQqDEAQYCSABEgJMh_D_BwE

https://www.mytheresa.com/gb/en/women/rotate-birger-christensen-lace-maxi-dress-black-p00902263?dplink=true&utm_source=sea_pla&utm_medium=google&utm_campaign=google_sea&ef_id=EAIaIQobChMIyripgPTqhAMVuK6DBx11GQqDEAQYEiABEgLY-fD_BwE&chn=sea_shopping&src=google&cmp=17304731262&tarea=gb&tar=&ag=&ptyp=&feed_num=P00902263-3&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIyripgPTqhAMVuK6DBx11GQqDEAQYEiABEgLY-fD_BwE&gbraid=0AAAAAD3Pw-mS3LVu-5wXlNwSSZazILy7K&gad_source=1&slink=1

Yes! Funnily enough I was just thinking I should've included "doesn't look like cosplay" in my OP wish list!
I'm definitely thinking of using my budget on a stunning designer dress - second hand or rented

Oh these are PERFECT! When I wanted to wear white I had my eye on a dress that looks just like that final one but in white.
These are brilliant suggestions thanks!

I'm thinking of October but in the process of buying somewhere atm.

Yes agree with the fuss free day that is just for 2. I intend to have the gretna marriage then hop on the train straight after to the Lake District.

Not started trying anything yet as am keeping I mind it might be in January. Will still go art deco and just add a fur type wrap/stole.

I notice in the reviews that the bride in her picture crossing the road looked much better than the models in the dress. You will 100% find 'the one'!!

https://www.theoutnet.com/shop/product/marchesa-notte/dresses/gowns/embellished-draped-crepe-gown/1647597337628404

https://www.theoutnet.com/shop/product/zac-posen/dresses/gowns/off-the-shoulder-duchesse-satin-gown/1647597337016041

Both over budget but I’d look there, matches, net-a-porter etc to get an idea of designers you like to look out for second hand or to rent

I hope you have a wonderful wedding - we ran away to a Scottish island for ours- but am I the only person worrying about the midges?

Wow, these are some of the nicest dresses I have ever seen suggested on a wedding thread. Top effort, Everyone - I wish I could get married again (paging Daniel Craig...).

Have a wonderful day, OP - you will look fab in one of these.

May, so hopefully pre-midge.

https://www.thereformation.com/products/winslow-dress/0503333EMR.html?lang=en_GB&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIr7m0-ej1hAMVUI9QBh2aWgWQEAQYAyABEgJyzfD_BwE

This is my favourite of the whole thread

That is fabulous! I'd love to see a bride in that.

Just a thought about the more fitted ones, how do you get off the boat? Will you have to hitch it up?

Some red dress ideas- think a colourful dress will look stunning in that setting:

https://www.jjshouse.com/a-line-v-neck-sweep-train-chiffon-lace-wedding-dress-with-sequins-002207442-g207442?currency=GBP&utm_term=207442&utm_size=10&country=GB&country=GB&currency=GBP&ggntk=x&ggkey=&ggtgt=2&ggplm=&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADmGZzQ2-mv9zr70nc7Pl4xS4jOev&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI6KH2sfb1hAMV2JZQBh1dVAo7EAQYBCABEgIwOPD_BwE#/

or this with a cape

https://www.jjshouse.com/trumpet-mermaid-v-neck-sweep-train-satin-lace-prom-dresses-with-sequins-018224397-g224397?currency=GBP&utm_term=224397&utm_size=10&country=GB&country=GB&currency=GBP&ggntk=x&ggkey=&ggtgt=18&ggplm=&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADmGZzTtYZR8ByLFBbzQ6hpprGtCn&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI6KH2sfb1hAMV2JZQBh1dVAo7EAQYIiABEgLK3vD_BwE#/

https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1395956049/beautiful-deluxe-velvet-long-red-cloak?gpla=1&gao=1&&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=shopping_uk_en_gb_a-clothing-womens_clothing-jackets_and_coats&utm_custom1=k_EAIaIQobChMI6KH2sfb1hAMV2JZQBh1dVAo7EAQYESABEgLOkPD_BwE_k&utm_content=go_6479444397_74547431901_380837501457_pla-299201693990_m__1395956049engb_229925729&utm_custom2=6479444397&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADutTMfacLCLlwC80FJPC5HnV0W1z&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI6KH2sfb1hAMV2JZQBh1dVAo7EAQYESABEgLOkPD_BwE

Yes - that gets my vote too!

I know this is probably not dressy enough but just wanted to add it as I saw it in Superdry the other day and thought it was lovely. And a snip at £80!

This is gorgeous 😍

https://deadlyisthefemale.com/product/navy-velvet-claudia-gown/

Deadly is the female do stunning dresses! I wore a very similar one for my wedding x

Definitely not dressy enough