Alternative Wedding Dress Inspiration

[DressMe24]

We have decided to elope in 6 weeks and so I need to buy a dress.

I've recently lost 30kg (115kg to 85kg), so still on the larger side.
I'm massively struggling with style after years of hiding behind the same skater dress (in various different prints) and leggings (now sold on vinted).

So I'm looking for recommendations of stores and styles I may not have considered or know about. Doesn't need to be traditional. Happy with traditional or alternative, traditional white or coloured.

About me:
Currently a 14/16 depending on shop
173cm tall
I do not suit long dresses at all
I need relatively easy access for breast feeding
I'm very hippy, and smaller on the top half.
Athletic/muscular build
Will not wear heals
Will continue trying to lose weight (goal is 70kg) so will buy a few once within returns windows.

I would like to be able to wear it again, so it isn't just a one off expense.
Happy to spend up to £150ish (and have available cash flow to buy a few to try and return later).

These may be worth a look
https://www.marksandspencer.com/cotton-rich-broderie-belted-midi-shirt-dress/p/clp23009044

https://www.marksandspencer.com/pure-cotton-broderie-midaxi-waisted-dress/p/clp22587013

https://www.marksandspencer.com/cotton-rich-broderie-belted-midi-shirt-dress/p/clp23009044

https://www.phase-eight.com/product/lolicia-tux-dress-220982106.html#navAjax=true&imageType=model&is=true&sz=60&start=58&cgid=dresses&isSecondPage=false&prefn1=clothingType&prefv1=Dresses&prefn2=color&prefv2=Cream%7CWhite&prefn3=size&prefv3=14%7C20&pid=220982106&pos=69

https://www.phase-eight.com/product/julieta-white-linen-ruffle-broderie-midi-dress-221567055.html#navAjax=true&is=true&cgid=dresses&sz=60&start=0&isSecondPage=false&prefn1=clothingType&prefv1=Dresses&prefn2=size&prefv2=14%7C20&prefn3=color&prefv3=Cream%7CWhite&pid=221567055&pos=6

https://www.anthropologie.com/en-gb/shop/sleeper-atlanta-linen-midi-dress6?category=SEARCHRESULTS&color=010&searchparams=q=white%2520dress&type=REGULAR&quantity=1

Underwear is really important. Get some big, light control, knickers.

This is a gorgeous dress:

https://www.neverfullydressed.com/products/cream-jacquard-tilda-mini-dress

https://www.monsoon.co.uk/enrique-off-shoulder-bridal-dress-1000023133.html?gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADjtA_F5fITER8ev2niWMtBPI3nAv&gclid=Cj0KCQjw5ea1BhC6ARIsAEOG5pzYzVYVZ8m_ixph-P3inrZt-wtzqU5ngZS7XINBNXWFPjUhQ5kXrZsaAjStEALw_wcB

This is also lovely.

This is very pretty in my opinion, and could be very easily accessorised on your wedding day and beyond to dress it up or down.

https://kitristudio.com/products/eden-pink-garden-floral-mini-dress?_pos=17&_fid=ec63cd802&_ss=c#product-reviews

not white but celebratory

https://farmrio.uk/products/flower-fan-tapestry-off-white-mini-dress?variant=47527440580922&cm_mmc=AWIN--104504--Deeplink-_-Generic&utm_source=awin&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=104504&country=GBP&sv1=affiliate&sv_campaign_id=104504&awc=67184_1723522355_dea1190019dceac63c72bc4a10678c5b

https://www.theoutnet.com/en-gb/shop/product/stine-goya/dresses/mini-dress/jasmine-tiered-floral-print-satin-crepe-mini-dress/1647597327210477?utm_source=partnerize&utm_medium=affiliation&utm_campaign=eu_laurenlyst&clickref=1100lzvJAg3c

https://www.theoutnet.com/en-gb/shop/product/stine-goya/dresses/mini-dress/dounya-floral-print-voile-mini-dress/1647597339098660?utm_source=partnerize&utm_medium=affiliation&utm_campaign=eu_laurenlyst&clickref=1100lzvJDKrH

Thank you - some of these are lovely!!

I've had a look through all the Phase Eight dresses after linking to the tux dress and there are several that I think may suit. Including the Tux dress.
I also really like the Never Fully Dressed one too, in both colours they offer.
The Monsoon and Farm Rio dresses also good options.

I love many of the midi dresses to look at, so I may order one or two to see if they happen to suit me. I've never got on with that length previously, but who knows with the right dress.

This has given me loads to think about. Thank you.

I eloped with my husband and got a dress from Dolly and Dotty. I am on the more curvy side and these dresses are lovely.

I ordered 2 sizes and the smaller one was perfect and their returns process and customer service was brilliant.

This is the dress I bought as it was in Jan but they have some really nice other styles too.

www.dollyanddotty.co.uk/products/scarlette-bridal-white-long-sleeved-midi-dress

www.dollyanddotty.co.uk/collections/formal-dresses

If you meant you love the (gorgeous!) embroidered dress Stath shared, look like there is a short version!

https://www.nobodyschild.com/products/white-embroidered-starlight-mini-dress

@EnterFunnyNameHere It is a shame that dress is out of stock, but I have ordered several other dresses from the site (& others linked here) to try. Fingers crossed!!
My credit card will think someone has gone on a shopping rampage with my card, as I rarely buy new clothes.

I will come back when they arrive to let you know how I have got on.

@Tsiagisel we are all booked for York Bootham now on 27th September, it looks so lovely. The lady I spoke to on the phone was really nice and couldn't believe we were booking only 6 weeks out, when she has people calling up worrying about booking for 2027+.

Ah damn @DressMe24 - didn't even notice availability!! Seems like you have loads of options to choose from though!

Hope you have a fab day when you get there, autumn weddings are the best 😊

@DressMe24

I hope you have had a fun time making lots of orders for your wedding!

I just wanted to say that I noticed some of the dresses from Never Fully Dressed are a little bit cheaper on Asos today than on the NFD website. I had to really count the pennies when organising my wedding, and just thought I’d let you know in case you may be in a similar situation.

I can’t wait to see which dresses you ordered!!!

@SprinkleOfSunak that's amazing, thank you. I hadn't ordered the one from there as they didn't have free returns so thought I would wait to try out the others first. But on ASOS it is free delivery and returns, and 10% first order discount so I've ordered it to try.

The phase 8 ones are arriving tomorrow 😬

@DressMe24 Hope you find something perfect for you 😊 Just wanted to add - have a look at Molby The Label 😊 they do a range of dresses in all different fabrics and you can completely customise them as they’re made to order - make sleeves a wee bit longer, dress a bit shorter, add a hidden zip for feeding etc 😊

Personally, I love this for an alternative wedding 😊 so fun!

www.molbythelabel.com/collections/dresses/products/paloma-dress-ivory-star-mini-length

@DressMe24

Oh that’s fantastic news!

I’m sure you will look fabulous in all these lovely dresses - just hoping it isn’t too much of a hard decision to decide on which one to wear.

Maybe if you fell in love with two of them, you could keep the second one to wear if you go away on Honeymoon, or to wear on your 1st Wedding Anniversary.

Your fairy godmother’s are here should you do a dress vote on Mumsnet. I think you will instinctively know ‘the one’ though.

That dress is gorgeous... So simply and elegant. I bet you looked amazing. I'd love to see a (headless) photo, but failing that, can you tell me what you teamed it with?

Oh that dress is stunning! I would wear that just because. The shape is fabulous.

@Somethingsnappy here is the picture of me in the dress. I kept it simple and just added a silver belt.

Oh and we were in vegas so heels for the ceremony and then some nice trainers for the rest of the day! 😁

Oh it's lovely!

Absolutely stunning! 😍

So far 90% dresses that arrived are no good, most are far too short (not even covering my bum!), except the "petite" dress that was too long and came to my knees.
The worst offender was the NFD one, which was very pretty but even in the body not for someone 5'8", maybe someone 5'2".

Of the other 10% the front runners are these two from JL. Not sure either is "the one", but tried on with no effort on the rest of the styling.

Ro-Zo Dress (liked more than I expected when I took it out the bag)

Adrianna Dress (not BF friendly but pretty)

Still more dresses to arrive though. 🤞🤞🤞🤞

I like both those John Lewis dresses.

Which dresses are crossed off the list?

All the nobody's child dresses are going back (see photo). The only one that may have been suitable they sent a 16, too big, and a 10 so I didn't get to try the 14.

The NFD dress is going back. The bit that is supposed to sit under your boobs didn't even make it to my nipple and it didn't cover my bum at all.

The one Phase Eight dress that's arrived was absolutely huge despite being petite (I ordered petite as I hoped it would come out shorter). It was also a wildcard for its length and because it was magenta!
There is a phase eight near where I live so I will see what they have in stock in different sizes when I return.