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!

I love that you want to go sequins. I found this one, I love the back. It also comes in silver.

https://amapolalondon.co.uk/products/marilyn-sequin-dress?currency=GBP&variant=53511452033399&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Google%20Shopping&stkn=f9b0c1c93289&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21928581592&gbraid=0AAAAA-hI6Xsm4a0nCQvNEDGfSuAd6cviF&gclid=Cj0KCQjwzYLABhD4ARIsALySuCTQreQHJWmVm8urPlvCU50LISaw2JugozMsjlp3s7-wOgLEh0uhPrUaAmk2EALw_wcB

thanks for mentioning Phase Eight. I had forgotten about them. We have a shop not too far away. Out of the others suggested, I think I prefer the shape of the Phase Eight one. I’ll also scroll through ASOS again too. I’m worried I’m too fat (blunt, I should be more body positive I know) for the Katya Wildman. I never really wear anything fitted. I hate the way my body looks at the moment. All my weight is in my face and stomach.

Although I am drawn to the shimmer, it doesn’t have to be sequinned or silver or gold. I just don’t really fancy a traditional wedding dress. 👰‍♂️

Phase Eight Embellished Jumpsuit on sale

Maxi bridal dress (out of budget but nice imo)

Pleated lace wedding dress

That dress is gorgeous, I wish I was getting married so I could wear it !

https://www.jjshouse.com/a-line-v-neck-floor-length-chiffon-wedding-dress-002234883-g234883#/

Debenhams embellished boho dress

Don't write off the Needle and Thread options - several of their bridal gowns are in your budget!

https://www.needleandthread.com/collections/bridal-dresses?sort_by=price-ascending

There's also Nobody's Child: https://www.nobodyschild.com/products/white-floral-jacquard-bridal-issy-midi-dress-d242888wht?variant=53944984928641&utm_source=NMPi&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=PaidSearch&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw8IfABhBXEiwAxRHlsLQCVGPYbOLcePB2PeRq6RMxey4mQ-k91mOLtAH9-5evI7uLXa17txoCzdoQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Sounds like you've got some fab ideas but just need that special one to make you feel really special.
Am same age and colouring as you and similar size and really struggling with clothes due to weight gain through ill health.
I find higher waisted dresses more flattering with some flair/give in the skirt area to disguise a chunkier tummy. Maybe a little bit of detail/pattern to distract as well rather than totally plain - will see if I can find an example....
Possibly not the best but........ www.jjshouse.com/pleated-v-neck-a-line-chiffon-lace-midi-dress-295295091-g295091?currency=GBP&utm_term=295091&utm_size=L&country=GB&srsltid=AfmBOor4j5FqR1aQeqMfMvRua8kzt_U056N0ey5uoiznubXebdNYjHHPn7U#/

Fumbalinas is worth a look, all handmade and I think from dead stock material too.

I'm getting married soon too, and I would have loved a sequin dress! Unfortunately I didn't find the right one for me, so I've ended up with something different, but I'm adding a sequin cape style embellishment to it anyway

ASOS are fairly stingy on sizing... lovely dress

Do you like this? They have it in a size 18 on sale.
https://frockandfrill.com/products/wren-green-sequin-dress-with-beaded-tassels?variant=48276273692980&country=GB&currency=GBP&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&srsltid=AfmBOopFsOK87PBBr8YUM_wGOX7YBHS2Mtuh_XCzS4gYOCoFCCbW8s7cQUY

That is a gorgeous dress!

Also beautiful... just wish it didn't have an open back so i could wear a sturdy bra!

(Not that i have any specia occassions but am dress drooling now!)

Oh, how beautiful is that!!

I'm busty and agree with PPs about something shaped being more flattering than a t-shirt style dress.

Hi, Happy dress shopping!

I've linked a couple of dresses below but also wondered if you were up for hiring rather than buying - mywardrobehq and hurr, reformation are some sites I know of - there will be more!
Good luck and enjoy the choosing!

https://www.debenhams.com/product/coast-wrap-bodice-long-sleeve-sequin-wedding-dress_bcc09699?colour=ivory

hopeandivy.co.uk/products/the-violet-embellished-maxi-wrap-dress-flutter-sleeve

I love these three from phase eight:

https://www.phase-eight.com/product/hilary-embellished-maxi-dress-221748692.html#is=true&navAjax=true&sz=60&start=0&srule=Storefront-price-high-to-low&cgid=occasion&isSecondPage=false&prefn1=knee&prefv1=Maxi|Full%20Length|Long%20length|Midi%20Length|Below%20Knee&prefn2=sleeve&prefv2=3/4%20Length|Cap%20Sleeve|Long%20Sleeve|Short%20Sleeve&prefn3=size&prefv3=16&pid=221748692&pos=9

https://www.phase-eight.com/product/zena-beaded-tulle-maxi-dress-221043676.html#is=true&navAjax=true&sz=60&start=0&srule=Storefront-price-high-to-low&cgid=occasion&isSecondPage=false&prefn1=knee&prefv1=Maxi|Full%20Length|Long%20length|Midi%20Length|Below%20Knee&prefn2=sleeve&prefv2=3/4%20Length|Cap%20Sleeve|Long%20Sleeve|Short%20Sleeve&prefn3=size&prefv3=16&pid=221043676&pos=28

https://www.phase-eight.com/product/ashley-embellished-sheer-maxi-dress-221460552.html#is=true&navAjax=true&sz=60&start=0&srule=Storefront-price-high-to-low&cgid=occasion&isSecondPage=false&prefn1=knee&prefv1=Maxi|Full%20Length|Long%20length|Midi%20Length|Below%20Knee&prefn2=sleeve&prefv2=3/4%20Length|Cap%20Sleeve|Long%20Sleeve|Short%20Sleeve&prefn3=size&prefv3=16&pid=221460552&pos=31

There have been some really lovely suggestions- thank you all.
I think some are too fitted and a bit out my comfort zone. The kimono from Fumbalinas is epic! Might be a hen party choice!

Some of the Phase Eight are lovely- I like the Ashley in the post above. It’s more shimmer than full on sequins. I think I need a trip to a Phase Eight shop.
I also love the Needle & Thread options. The one I linked to is on Vinted but I am
not sure on sizes. Think they are pretty small??

@captainflash Fumbalinas are fantastic aren't they? Keep your eye on their social media for limited edition drops, they do some pretty special stuff.

Does it have to be full length OP?

I found a few very pretty options that look weddingy - would love to know if any of these are warm-ish!

https://www.debenhams.com/product/jolie-moi-sequin-v-neck-fit-flare-midaxi-dress_p-1d180a99-dd8b-4266-84dd-e93023d7346f?colour=Beige&size=12&istCompanyId=76f7277d-6e78-4dc2-aaff-1eb77fae16b0&istFeedId=258a4886-8f3c-47ef-9369-d1eda8d84501&istItemId=qiiaxmmrm&istBid=t&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw8IfABhBXEiwAxRHlsH38x05IOPz6KPBwcY9WMH8Xb7zXtdso1K6n22Ta3LPqCzf5esfLbhoCdIEQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

https://www.phase-eight.com/product/amily-sequin-maxi-dress-221051065.html

https://www.ever-pretty.co.uk/products/gorgeous-v-neck-leaf-sequined-fishtail-party-dress-ep00692?variant=46194058625211&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw8IfABhBXEiwAxRHlsPi-BMuePSbD-60lppHHr-287dTs8znZ8mPJ1WE-cjBvx6dDqmQxOBoCm4sQAvD_BwE

https://www.glamlora.co.uk/modest-a-line-scoop-3-4-sleeves-tea-length-chiffon-mother-of-the-bride-dress-glmm0281.html

https://www.neverfullydressed.com/products/silver-sequin-kira-wrap-dress

https://www.neverfullydressed.com/products/sequin-jem-dress

A lovely rental option in a16!

https://www.mywardrobehq.com/the-vampire-s-wife/devore-metallic-gown/P21492

Try putting a description of what you are looking for, what size/ age you are etc etc etc into chatgpt and ask for suggestions, it sometimes comes up with interesting options

Something high waisted like this? https://www.debenhams.com/product/jolie-moi-plain-wrap-mesh-maxi-dress_p-64ead4e5-3e5a-4c79-b6b0-7ca0cd1b1a90?colour=Dark+Green&size=16&istCompanyId=76f7277d-6e78-4dc2-aaff-1eb77fae16b0&istFeedId=258a4886-8f3c-47ef-9369-d1eda8d84501&istItemId=qwalqqqlp&istBid=t&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAABevdS6jMZeDBohhlwI94t5HBiCwE&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIo_-I39bijAMV8KWDBx1Mry7SEAQYFiABEgKvPPD_BwE

Trinny has that silver Vampire’s Wife! My mum suggested that but I honestly think I would look like a sparkly stuffed sausage!
It doesn’t have to be full length- just feels more bridal that way.

This is absolutely gorgeous. I’d love to find this in my size- I’m drawn to a cape!

www.boohoo.com/product/coast-celestrial-embellished-blouson-sleeve-wedding-dress_bcc06459