Anyone up for a wedding dress challenge?

[captainflash]

I have seen some brilliant wedding dress recommendations on here before so thought I’d see if anyone is up for a new one.

My DP has just proposed after 9 years together! He said he would never marry. I have been married before- 20 years ago! We have some elderly relatives in ill health so are looking to do this fairly quickly. And he says he’s wasted enough time not being married to me (🤮)
We are having a small wedding of 30ish in a town hall in a castle town, followed by an afternoon tea. Then a big party in the evening, in a local pub function room.

So, here’s the challenge. I am 44, peri-menopausal and feel fat and old. I am 5ft 8 with short coppery /blonde streaked hair. Am pale skinned. I am much heavier than I’d like to be but I have 6 months and can drop a stone in that time. I would need a size 16 I think.
I carry my weight around my stomach and hips. Would need to wear a bra as am fairly busty. I would prefer a maxi/ past knee dress- with sleeves of sorts. I do not want strapless. I think I want to wear a lighter colour- not a traditional wedding dress. (I had a big church wedding before) I like sequins and sparkle and would ideally get married in something loser fitting- a giant t shirt dress would be ideal 😂 But I feel I should be looking for something more special. Brand wise, I tend to shop Zara, Cos, H&M, John Lewis, Rixo, Aligne
I have around £300 to spend.
These are a couple of things I potentially like to help:

https://www.theoutnet.com/en-gb/shop/product/maje/dresses/maxi-dresses/sequined-tulle-maxi-dress/46376663162837653

https://www.monsoon.co.uk/marie-long-sleeve-sequin-midi-dress-silver-20001450022.html

https://www.monsoon.co.uk/georgina-sequin-maxi-dress-gold-44123112.html

Happy to shop online or can get to London easily.
Thank you if you got that far- have tried to include everything!

Congratulations!

I love the Outnet dress and the second Monsoon one - the gold one. I suspect the shapelessness of the silver Monsoon one would make it unflattering on anyone other than the very slim.

I’ll go and have a look for other options but I think either of those would be a fab choice.

The Maje one is beautiful! Have a look on The Outnet or Wolf and Badger, here are a few from Wolf & Badger to get you started

The Maje one is only available in a 12. Which is a shame as I liked it too!

Tshirt shape dresses!

https://www.johnlewis.com/never-fully-dressed-jem-sequin-dress-silver/p112561795?s_share=jlappdroi

https://www.asos.com/asos-edition/asos-edition-embellished-matte-disc-sequin-tshirt-mini-dress-in-off-white/prd/206133438?clickid=_6300e6cbggkaxmviqvmexm1op222xxv121h2bd9s00&irgwc=1&affid=29023&pubref=2103004&utm_source=impact&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=ShopStyle%20UK&utm_term=Shopstyle%20UK%20Feed%20Ad&utm_content=PRODUCT_CATALOG

This is beautiful, it's very different to the ones you suggested. There's one problem, the 18 is in budget, but the 16 is £50 more.

www.asos.com/asos-curve/asos-design-curve-embroidered-plunge-long-sleeve-maxi-wedding-dress-in-ivory/prd/207531028#colourWayId-207531029

I was about to post that John Lewis sparkly t-shirt dress! Not my style at all but does seem to fit the brief!

You can filter the John Lewis app by “embellished” and “beaded”, OP, if that helps. I found several very pretty options that way but many of them only in a few sizes.

Ooh you do like sparkles don’t you! They’re all gorgeous but I wouldn’t be able to pull them off.
Congratulations on your engagement!

Speaking of sparkles - do you have a ring you’d like to show off? 😃

Ha! I do like sparkles. I like print and pattern and tend to wear a lot of animal print. I would have a leopard dress really but I feel that’s a bit obvious. I might just leave that to the shoes!

Thanks for the suggestions. I do like the John Lewis t shirt one. I am not too dissimilar from one of the models. I might order that to see.
it doesn’t have to be sparkly. I would also be swayed by a beautiful lace. Or something really plain and a cape perhaps. I do want to feel bridal, but also cool and interesting.

@MadameSzyszkoBohusz It’s a classic Tiffany & Co solitaire. On a rose gold band. Very, very sparkly!!

Gorgeous! 😍

Slightly more bridal choice..?
I like the intricacies of Needle & Thread but worry if too fat!

Hopefully the image is uploading….
if not, can see here
poshmark.com/listing/Needle-Thread-Elsa-Ballerina-Dress-640a54a492e49146a94153cd

What about this?

https://katyawildman.com/products/silver-sequin-swing-dress-new-stock-arriving-early-march-copy

She was the designer of Bombshell dresses, beautifully made for curvy women, you do sometimes need to size up though. They are so well structured that they really show your assets off.

Love the gold Monsoon one - its perfect isn't it? it will be October? so long sleeves will look appropriate.

Oh, thank you for that link, @Morningmorning, I used to dream of owning one of those Bombshell dresses, I absolutely loved their style. @captainflash, the gold equivalent is gorgeous, too, I think, though they both are somewhat above the price you want to pay. I have always thought it would be worth it to feel good on a special occasion like your wedding. Oh, and congratulations on your engagement, of course!
katyawildman.com/products/gold-sequin-swing-dress

I think the first sparkly dress you posted is beautiful. I don't like the sparkly t shirt dress. It's a bit like a sack & not very flattering even on the model. It is of course a matter of taste & opinion but I think it's better to be honest.

Have a wonderful day whatever you decide 😁

Another beautiful dress 😁

What about this one OP? I do love a bit of shiny myself 😆
https://macduggal.com/products/5538_platinum?variant=44331951554739&currency=GBP&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=21279427115&nbt=nb%3Aadwords%3Ax%3A21279427115%3A%3A&nb_adtype=pla&nb_kwd=&nb_ti=&nb_mi=436301499&nb_pc=online&nb_pi=44331951554739&nb_ppi=&nb_placement=&nb_li_ms=&nb_lp_ms=&nb_fii=&nb_ap=&nb_mt=&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAABa3CkN4s0W6l2mqEgVhfWj7ULg5c&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIlsu4x-rfjAMVlpRQBh1ekgUiEAQYBSABEgK9TvD_BwE

Oooh, that is beautiful @TiredyMcTired!

Lots to look at! The first Maje one is fab but I cannot find it anywhere in my size.
The Mac Duggal and Katya Wildman ones are similar - I shall have a think about those.

@GreenCandleWax The gold Monsoon one is a favourite. It’s older stock but I can get hold of one new with tags. A couple of years ago, I saw that in the shop and said to my daughter that dress would be what I would wear if he ever asked me to marry him! At the time, I thought he never woudl! I do love it but wonder if I should have something more ‘bridal’

Or this?

https://www.phase-eight.com/product/amily-sequin-maxi-dress-221051065.html#navAjax=true&imageType=model&is=true&sz=60&start=60&q=Sequin%20dress&isSecondPage=false&pid=221051065&pos=64

This is perfect!!!

Was also going to post the Never Fully Dressed link as that came immediately to mind. Congratulations!!

I think once you have a bouquet and/or something in your hair it all begins to look bridal.

Have a look for example https://whimsicalwonderlandweddings.com/sequin-wedding-dresses/

The Katya Wildman suggested by Morningmorning is the best by far. Just gorgeous.