Help me find an ice cave wedding dress - please!

[Cavewedding]

Hi all,

I need some help finding a wedding dress for my upcoming winter wedding in an ice cave (as you do!). I'm looking for a less dressy wedding dress than the norm but up for a traditional look, it's more that a beautiful delicate dress will get damaged in the ice cave or on the hike there/back. Weather expectations are probable snow on the ground, possible rain/sleet/blizzard so I need a material that won't be completely wrecked by getting wet. [On that note any suggestions for a smart, stylish yet functional (waterproof) coat to match the dress also appreciated.

Some requirements for the dress:
-Floor length or thereabouts, short dresses out
-Preferably fitted bodice at the top, ideally corset style
-Colour I'm flexible but would prefer black, white, dark blue, or dark green
-As above ideally a semi-hardy material although I am OK with just putting the dress on once I get to the cave so this isn't critical, but then it needs to be quick and easy to put on
-Like gothic style but as above I'm OK with traditional, pretty flexible
-Prefer plain dresses, minimal patterns or fussy details though I do like a bit of delicate lace
-No specific budget but probably max £1500, preferably less
-Ideally don't want something with a big train as will have to carry it myself as we are eloping but I do like dresses that feel like a proper occasion dress (though not too poofy!). I like puddling on the floor. But again not critical.

About me:
-Very tall (6ft1)
-Large boobs c.38/40GG atm
-Hourglass shape with large hips and slimmer waist, but with a reasonable tummy at the moment post baby
-Dress size tends to be 20-22 to get things to fit over my hips but previously tried a wedding dress in a 16 that fitted perfectly as it nipped in on the waist and then had a large flared skirt on the bottom. So size frustratingly variable!
-Best look for me usually in dresses is wrap or crossover dresses that are tightly fitted on top then a bit looser on the bottom.

Any help much appreciated as this is a complicated set of requirements and I'm struggling! Also I'm terrible with these kind of things.

If you’re ok with separates, how about this velvet jacket or this one in felted alpaca teamed with a skirt with thermals underneath?

Skirt option 1

Skirt option 2 or silver version

Thanks @ghislaine , re the skirts/corset I like them but it's not quite me. I love the two jackets though, both gorgeous.

What do you think of this?

Gothic wedding dress

When you say ‘hike’ to the cave, how long?!? I can’t imagine being able to hike in a wedding dress of any description, especially not if it’s icy/ snowy!

@HippyKayYay yeah it's unusual :-D About half a hour probably but I don't know exactly as ice caves form and melt every winter so our wedding planner will find us a suitable cave which could be anywhere! I think the most likely solution will be walk in wedding underwear and normal clothes, whip normal clothes off and get wedding dress on for ceremony, then either take it off again and put on again for the rest of the day OR hike back with it on. We've stated a preference of minimal journey to the cave but the most spectacular ones are often a bit of a walk.

With that budget, have you considered looking into getting a dress made? You have a really specific set of requirements. Alternatively, I had a look on Instagram under things like #icecavewedding and #elopementweddingphotographer, there are some nice options with the designers tagged (the ones I saw and liked were US based or out of budget). Do you have a photographer booked? They (or the wedding planner) may be able to advise on the practicalities. I'd be more concerned about hair and makeup lasting in that sort of weather. Really I think any floor-length dress will get wrecked in that environment, so you have to be prepared for that, but you're only going to wear it once? Even in a normal venue, if you go out for photos and it's snowy or muddy the dress will need a thorough clean and repair. My dress was slim fit mikado satin and would have held up well, but if it got wet I can imagine it would have been really heavy. Crepe or silk might be better but are so unforgiving and delicate. I think you'd be best speaking to a dress designer/seamstress/bridal boutique and seeing what they advise, a good one really knows their stuff.

How cold will it be?

Wolf and Badger have got some great dresses. I was strangely drawn to this one. Would be waterproof!
https://www.wolfandbadger.com/uk/desire-white-strapless-pleated-maxi-dress-vegan-leather/

Ignore me. Only goes up to a 14 :(

@ghislaine I like both a lot but think the dress shape probably wouldn't suit me. Love the coat though.

@innerdesign thanks - I'm definitely up for getting something made but not sure where to start really. Out of interest if I had a higher budget who might you recommend? It could potentially be quite a bit higher for the right dress option. We don't have a photographer booked yet as wanted to find the dress first and then confirm our date (odd way round I know but I feared it might take a while to find the right one and as we are eloping we can kind of go whenever).

@TwigTheWonderKid variable depending on date we book but likely somewhere between 5 degrees celcius and -10 (brrrr!). So some non sexy thermal underwear definitely required for when outside!

Thanks @weaselwords , this is the trouble with being an unusual size/shape. Shame as I like a lot of their dresses.

Where are you doing this OP? I only ask, as I was in Iceland in February and I visited some ice caves... I'm struggling to picture this.

@JustWhatWeDontNeed Iceland, exact location TBC. Some examples here: https://icelandweddingplanner.com/2019/11/29/how-to-plan-an-ice-cave-wedding/

How about this one https://www.bombshellhq.com/collections/dresses/products/silver-swing-sequin-gown

Or this colour for the ice theme https://www.bombshellhq.com/collections/dresses/products/marine-blue-a-line-sequin-gown

I am sorry that I can’t be any help on the wedding dress search, but just wanted to say that your wedding sounds fantastic. I would love to have been married in an ice cave.

Have you looked at HolyClothing? I haven’t bought for years but used to like it. It’s good for the more statuesque woman.

It can also layer up, so could add overdresses to a more basic velvet dress for example.
Have a browse. There’s a nice example here- not the skirt as it shows, but the look combined with other things.

https://holyclothing.com/collections/all-skirts/products/annika-maxi

Here

https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/879430301/green-velvet-elven-dress-fantasy-dress

this sort of thing?

You are a similar size and shape to me.
what about this company? https://www.pinkbutterflybrides.co.uk/

Any of these Th & Th ones? the dark green velvet ones are lovely.

Maybe something made of scuba fabric? Dresses of that drape really nicely and are often skater style.

I’d be tempted to go for separates (for me, a wonderful cashmere jumper and a fab maxi skirt in a matching shade, in synthetic fabric that won’t get heavy and wet). Make the coat very much part of the outfit with eg https://rainsisters.com/en-gb or vintage fur (or treated sheepskin that looks like fur) depending on your ethics and style. And in the cave add a lacey veil to give you that puddle train.