No wedding dress 6 weeks before the wedding...

[ThisMustBeMyDream]

I need help, and quickly!
My dress has been unable to be altered to fit. It was purchased off the peg and the bridal shop assured me it would be made to fit by the seamstress (I'd not have purchased otherwise!). It can not fit. It isn't possible.
So, here I am, 6 weeks before the big day with no dress (I do, however, have my money back - for the dress at least, but not the cost of the alterations!).
I am struggling. I'm around a size 8. I need off the peg. This seems to be difficult. Most stores stock 14s and 16s, then pin to fit and say it can be altered - this is how I've ended up with no dress, so I really don't want to be doing big alterations. 12's are the smallest I've found in store, but this is simply too big and too much altering. I also want the dress to fit me on the bust in the right way - which was the challenge in the previous dress. I wear a 30F bra, and due to weight loss, they are more loose skin than anything, but can look great with the right support. The dress I had couldn't give any support even though it had straps (mermaid style).
I don't want anything from Monsoon, Debenhams etc. They just aren't my style.
I'm in the north west, between Manchester and Liverpool. Where would you go to find a dress off the peg that is a size 8. I don't have lots of time either due to work and other commitments. So if anyone has any good ideas, I'm all ears!

There must be some charity shops that stock wedding dresses in your area? We get some amazing ones donated to ours but I'm in the wrong part of the country!

size 8 I just saw on FB marketplace, £280 and dry cleaned already

https://thedressingroomwigan.co.uk/bridal-sale

size 10 so potential to be altered - slightly over budget though

Sorry- the dress at the top is the size 10

May be worth a phone call to the prom dress shop in Culcheth. They had some lovely pale dresses when my daughter & friends were looking recently. Given the nature of their market they’ll probably have the petite sizes that you’re after. Best wishes.

I'd look at really high end dresses in an expensive large shop (not a small independent, so you aren't wasting their time) and then try to locate the correctly sized dress second-hand and in budget, because the very expensive brands will often have hidden corsets built-in, or at the least be designed so they support properly without that being apparent. That's what you pay the huge prices for; those dresses are amazingly well constructed. I think you need to start the search for second-hand the other end, with new, so you know what you're looking for.

You can get a dress that would have cost the seller £5,000 or so for your budget, if you make a short-list. (I never subscribed to the sales pitch that finding a dress is like "finding the one" - I found at least three I liked hugely. It's just a dress, when you lose the bridal goggles.)

Don't be afraid to message a seller and explain this is your budget and what has happened if you see the dress you want a couple of hundred too much, either. There's no guarantee any second hand wedding dresses will sell - by definition, there are more dresses being sold than being bought and they become less fashionable by the year.

Good luck. I hope you find a dress you love.

Go to Natalia brides in Liverpool asap.

It may have been suggested already but you could try contacting Swan brides in Congleton and asking what they have available in your size. When a family member bought her dress they had the best range of sample dresses - in all sizes beautifully displayed - we’d ever seen. They are on instagram and Facebook which will give you an idea of what they stock.
Our experience was that they went above and beyond, and for us it was well worth the longish journey. The dress she chose cost half Its original sale price and fit pretty near perfectly so much so she could have gone straight to the ceremony in it She opted for a small tweak to the sleeves which they did for her in plenty of time for her wedding

I also recommend an outlet option, just try on loads. Worked for me, didn’t need any alterations in the end to fit but seamstress put a button on and created a drawstring bustle. Take time of work if need be. Mine was in Cardiff

I know you don’t like online but it might be your best bet. This dress (in a wide range of white/cream) is available in size 8. It has the spaghetti straps you like and is well within budget for example. Ordering a few styles online and trying them at home seems the best solution given that you’re only prepared to travel within half an hour of your location.
https://www.azazie.com/gb/products/barbie-azazie-diamond-white-mermaid-sequins-tulle-cathedral-train-wedding-dress/409216?subsite=bridal

That's a brilliant find - classic, in a modern way. Kind of Vivienne Westwood vibes. Plus right on budget.

Gosh I noticed this too - everything was “yes but..”

to the extreme!

I've got bigger boobs and used to buy loads of stuff from Bravissimo/Pepperberry when they did clothes because they fitted reliably. Some of their white tops are on Vinted, and would still leave the vast majority of your budget for a skirt and accessories.

What actually is your style, OP @ThisMustBeMyDream ? You haven't said.

Have a look at Bridal Reloved. They sell new and like new dresses of all shapes and sizes. They are a franchise and there are several in the NW. You can often find designer dresses at a fraction of their original cost

Hello my sister is selling her unworn wedding dress in size 8 in case it's of interest it's this one:
https://whiteorchidbridal.co.uk/products/sy-6758

Stella York 6758

It's currently held in a shop in Cambridge though. She bought it for £1400 but would sell it for £750.

Filtered for size 8:
https://www.theoutnet.com/en-gb/shop/clothing/dresses/bridal-dresses?facet=ads_f22536_ntk_cs%253A%25228%2522

or Sezane:
https://www.sezane.com/en-en/product/ortia-dress/ecru#size-8

This time of year there are lots of wedding fairs on. Perhaps some of those will have samples that are for sale??

It's very annoying that you were told it could be altered when it couldn't.

I hope you find something.

I bought my off the peg at a bridal shop in a sample sale and this was june /july time - you might get lucky that they have a sale date soon ant any local bridal shops to you .
needle and thread have some lovely dresses but it really depends on your style

Wed2b! All their dresses are off the peg and they have a wide selection!

Oxfam online carry a lot of size 8 dresses, including wedding and vintage, this is one example:

https://onlineshop.oxfam.org.uk/watters-love-marley-wren-lace-fit-flare-wedding-dress-ivory-size-8-bnwt-rrp-1272/product/HD_302831053?utm_source=google&utm_medium=ppc&pscid=ps_ggl_OOS+-+Performance+Max+-+ROAS+-+Priority_&crm_event_code=20REUWWS08&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22415378121&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIuOC1-qn2jQMVupJQBh3FgBCcEAQYAyABEgLev_D_BwE&sku=HD_302831053

DD had a similar issue with her bust out of size with the rest of her as she was either a 32f or g. We went and found a bra that fitted (it was a sale item in orange). The dressmaker fitted the bra into the dress cutting off the back of it and the straps. It still gave the same support (wired) and her dress was low backed. You need to ensure that the dress you buy has room for your boobs as if say you need a 12 for your boobs to be accommodated the rest of it should be able to be taken in, depending on the style.

I've looked at all links - thank you. Nothing is drawing me to it at all.
I did end up taking emergency annual leave this afternoon as work was quiet (not something I can usually do - have to give 3 months notice). I went to wed2be just to try things on. I'm a size 9 in there 🥴. I also went to a bridal store. I now have 2 potentials.
I let them put anything on me, as long as it was close as possible to my size! As a result, one is strapless, and I'm in a boomba in one pic, and not in the other. I'm not sure, but I do like it. Im just not sure I'm confident enough to pull it off really. The other dress I did love, and teared up, but I'm not sure if that was just relief at trying something that fit me!

It's the opposite way round, my bust is smaller xx

Something like this? www.stillwhite.com/457737-vivienne-westwood