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!

Don’t think that link works- just goes to the app
www.debenhams.com/product/coast-celestrial-embellished-blouson-sleeve-wedding-dress_bcc06459

Ooh very Boho, I like it!

More Boho vibes

https://www.johnlewis.com/phase-eight-mariana-pleated-wedding-dress-pearl/p6009556

https://www.phase-eight.com/product/melanie-embellished-maxi-dress-221674106.html

https://www.debenhams.com/product/coast-embellished-tie-back-boho-bridal-maxi-dress_bcc05605?

I ordered a few dresses from Needle & Thread for a wedding guest outfit and I found the fit very different depending on the model. I wouldn’t personally risk it on a Vinted one that you can’t return. I ended up choosing one but the rest didn’t suit me.

Not at all sparkly but I had this and was really surprised how lovely it was on despite my large boobs and belly. Very flattering. You could accessorise with sparkly shoes and fancy headband.
https://www.ghost.co.uk/delphine-button-satin-maxi-dress3-d08g048-m12

If you like a cape, @captainflash , how about this Karen Millen beauty!

What about this - fitted around the bust and flowing over the tummy and hips:

Kitty and Dulcie dress from Oxfam Bridal

You could add a sequinned belt or even a white leopard print one.

That is quite fantastic cape!! 😍

How about this sort of thing?

www.andaazfashion.co.uk/white-silk-straight-cut-party-wear-trouser-suit-lstv113227.html

Frock and Frill also have some nice options

Navy cape dress with silver sequins

Dark green with bold lace cape

I’ve gone down a rabbit hole of capes, boho, sequin dresses…!
still not 100% of what I really want. Some of the Phase 8 ones are nice but not in stock in my size (16 and podgy round tummy- hence nothing too tight). And, thanks for other suggestions, but I do want light (rose gold, silver, gold, nudes and whites) rather thank another colour. And I do want maxi….

I think I need to get to some physical shops to try 🤔

Has anyone suggested this Sister Jane number yet?

https://sisterjane.com/collections/all/products/opal-midi-dress?edit=one

I agree with you that the Phase Eight Ashley is gorgeous. My favourite among many beautiful dresses.

@Ultravox I do like Sister Jane. There was another one of theirs I liked but couldn’t find in my size!

I saw my mum and sister today and showed them some options. They all loved the Phase 8 Ashley so I’ve ordered that to try.
Everyone agreed it was so pretty and still bridal. I think I may have a costume change for the evening and order the Monsoon Georgina in Gold. That dress makes me smile looking at it!
www.phase-eight.com/product/ashley-embellished-sheer-maxi-dress-221460552.html#q=Ashley&is=true&sz=60&start=0&isSecondPage=false&pid=221460552&pos=1

Thought I’d do a little update- if anyone is interested!

I tried the Phase 8 Ashley, which was really pretty but quality was poor. The sequins all caught on the underskirt and it pulled. Not good for the price. I went back and forth with a couple of other cape type dresses but didn’t find anything special enough.

I have just come back from a proper wedding dress boutique ( a charity based one in my local town) with my mum and daughter AND I SAID YES TO THE DRESS!!
Now, I absolutely apologise to everyone on this thread that it is not what I thought I wanted at all! I wanted loose, sequins, full
on glitz. I have bought a bright white lace fit and flare with a bardot neck and sweetheart underlay bodice. It’s corseted at the back with a puddle train. I also have a short retro white satin trimmed veil.
I only tried it on as there weren’t many in my size but, when I was laced in, and the consultant put heels and a veil on me, we all burst into tears.
I need to lose a bit round my tummy and some good Skims but I love it!!
I think I will need some really sparkly shoes!!

Love a wedding dress challenge!

https://www.phase-eight.com/product/amily-sequin-maxi-dress-221051065.html?cq_src=google_ads&cq_cmp=21857123700&cq_net=g&cq_plt=gp&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=21857123700&utm_content=168150863725&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADumyC84FpRvY6y6URgaKL7jDllE_&gclid=Cj0KCQjww-HABhCGARIsALLO6XwfxHfwAYi5AOslZLNWSF25LQSFlykl9NepSV5xYPvU5Qi_8nUA44caAvepEALw_wcB

https://www.debenhams.com/product/coast-sequin-embellished-long-sleeve-kimono-wedding-dress_bcc06501?colour=ivory&size=10&istCompanyId=76f7277d-6e78-4dc2-aaff-1eb77fae16b0&istFeedId=258a4886-8f3c-47ef-9369-d1eda8d84501&istItemId=mwwwxtwpw&istBid=t&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAABevdS5OxJ5tszm1c_SQRwjCPNwQB&gclid=Cj0KCQjww-HABhCGARIsALLO6XxxreTKSPhfghVaRdQr7ZoL2apus0RJC0_S8eOcuFwxmGpYrYKgT-kaAgrOEALw_wcB

https://www.coastfashion.com/product/coast-plunge-floral-embellished-wedding-dress_bcc06109?colour=ivory

https://www.coastfashion.com/product/coast-embellished-lace-full-skirted-wedding-dress_bcc08195?colour=ivory

Sorry, just saw your update.

Congratulations on your engagement and finding your dress!

@captainflash please show us pictures after the wedding! It sounds lovely.
And you could do like I'm doing and have a sequin themed hen party 😁

Congrats op. Glad you did opt for something really special. Sounds incredibly like what I chose. Post a pic after you get married!

@Gundogday I have actually ordered the Amily Phase 8 one to try -I still like it. I might change for the evening at some point or for my hen.

I am still not 100% convinced by such a fitted dress as I bought. I saw a picture and all I could see was my podgy tummy! My mum is adamant I didn't look like that in the shop. I probably need to forget about it for a while - wedding isn't until October- and focus on eating better and exercising more. Or go on the mounjaro! I just like looking at nice things!

So happy for you after reading your update, your dress sounds incredible. Congratulations.