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No wedding dress 6 weeks before the wedding...

240 replies

ThisMustBeMyDream · 15/06/2025 17:22

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!

OP posts:
Thread gallery
53
krustykittens · 16/06/2025 21:50

I actually like the first one best, I think you look fantastic in it, but its the dress you feel most beautiful in that is the one. You look lovely in all three, so you won't have anything to worry about on your wedding day, whichever one you choose!

makingthecut · 16/06/2025 21:55

The second of the three from today is gorgeous and the back especially is lovely.

Denimshorts · 16/06/2025 22:13

Have you tried the Outnet? Some gorgeous white/cream dresses at huge reductions. This by VB: www.theoutnet.com/de-de/shop/product/victoria-beckham/kleider/roben/geraffte-robe-aus-crepe/46376663162926038

I went for a non wedding dress in white. It was really classic and well made at a fraction of the cost of something from a bridal shop.

NurtureGrow · 16/06/2025 22:15

Go to ‘Brides do good’ in Chelsea, London. All off the peg. Dresses are reduced price as donated (often half price) 1/3 of the profits ho towards ending child marriage. All wins. You can walk out with a dress, have it altered at a very good dry cleaner (or by Brides do Good) and be ready for your day! 🙏

www.bridesdogood.com/

Miniatureschnauzers · 16/06/2025 23:35

ThisMustBeMyDream · 16/06/2025 18:58

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!

I think that the second one (that made you emotional) really suits you, I think the back is absolutely beautiful

Nsky62 · 16/06/2025 23:57

ThisMustBeMyDream · 16/06/2025 18:58

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!

Both of these are lovely

spoonbillstretford · 17/06/2025 05:41

ThisMustBeMyDream · 16/06/2025 18:58

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!

I love the one with the straps, looks great. Just right 👌

BasiliskStare · 17/06/2025 06:19

I like the 2nd one best (with the straps) The back is very pretty

clary · 17/06/2025 07:15

@mnahmnah a US 12 is a UK 16! Us 4 would be UK 8, you went the wrong way.

@ThisMustBeMyDream I love the V-necked one with the pretty back view that you tried on – you look sensational in it.

Stillbelieveinmiracles · 17/06/2025 08:48

Love the second dress you tried on yesterday. The one with a similar top half to the dress you got your money back on. BUY IT 🥰

perfectstorm · 17/06/2025 09:09

The one with straps is really lovely - the back is beautiful!

I am not as keen on the strapless one, probably because half the wedding dresses in the naughts were strapless ballgown types, so it looks a bit dated to me and the other more modern - you look amazing in it, though, really stunning, so you can't go wrong with either.

I hope you have a perfect day and feel gorgeous - you deserve to. I'm sorry you have had this stress so close to the day, but it will all melt away afterwards.

Fairnair · 17/06/2025 09:16

@ThisMustBeMyDream hope you are ok. I don’t think you would be making a “mistake” if you went for dress number 2, the v neck, straps, lovely lace back.

Taking everything into account, that you don’t want to order on-line , I can understand why at this stage, waiting for deliveries, the faff of returning etc.

You can relax and look forward to your wedding, rather than getting more stressed. Your wedding day is not the only day you can wear stunning dresses, with your weight loss you can look forward to buying some lovely clothes.

AirborneElephant · 17/06/2025 09:53

I think the second one with the straps and lace back is lovely, and you look beautiful in it. Not so convinced about the strapless ones, the first in particular you look like you’re popping out a bit and the tan marks look a bit odd with the shape. But both of those things could look very different on the day of course.

Fetchthevet · 17/06/2025 11:43

Definitely the second one with the straps. I feel like you'd spend all day pulling up the strapless one.

ThisMustBeMyDream · 17/06/2025 11:46

Sometimes fate does weird things.
As I said yesterday, my time is so limited, particularly due to work. As it was, yesterday I was able to take emergency annual leave because it was so quiet (I'm a community midwife). Last night I was on call for homebirths. I tend to only get called out once a year on average (we do on calls twice a month). Last night was that time! So today I am now off as I worked all night! Just waiting for a boutique to confirm, but I have another appt this afternoon to go and try more dresses. If I don't find anything by the end of tomorrow (I'm a day off tomorrow) then I'll be ordering the lace backed dress. I'm going back to try that one on again tomorrow, and with some accessories.
I've had a thought, I'm wondering about getting an overskirt made for it, as I think that I loved the "extra" of the whole train in the other dresses. That might make me feel a little more bridal. I think it is a bit more understated, and I'm not wanting understated.
I'll let you in to another thing in my head that is bothering me so much about my dress. I got married 10 years ago, and it was just a registry office with 2 witnesses, normal dress, not a wedding dress etc. My ex husband became my ex within 4 hours of the wedding as it was revealed in some kind of hideous Jeremy Kyle moment that he'd been cheating. We'd been together 5 years, had a 2 year old and I was 9 weeks pregnant with our 2nd child together. To say it was a shock was an understatement. It was my 30th birthday that day too. I suppose the dress is so important to me as I had such an awful experience previously. Plus the hard work of the weight loss of course. I feel under so much pressure, of my own doing, to make the right choice.

OP posts:
Yoyokitten · 17/06/2025 11:49

I agree, the second dress is beautiful, and you look absolutely gorgeous in it.The lace at the back is stunning.
The first dress looks too insecure I think, you will spend all day pulling it up.
Third one is lovely as well.
I hope you can decide soon and be able to relax a bit.Weddings can be stressful.
Have a wonderful day.

Fairnair · 17/06/2025 12:06

@ThisMustBeMyDream Instead of getting an overskirt made it may be easier to buy a full length/cathedral (think that’s what they are called) veil with lace, embellishments etc. which will give you more of a wow/bridal factor if that’s what you think is “missing” with the lace back dress.

AlphaApple · 17/06/2025 12:12

The lace backed dress is genuinely lovely on you OP. Good luck with finding your dream dress.

Takersandgivers · 17/06/2025 12:55

All beautiful on you, my favourite is the second dress, it is stunning on you!

PissedOffNeighbour22 · 17/06/2025 12:58

Ahhh, we’ve chatted on another thread (weightloss) about dresses as I had to change mine very close to the date.

Sorry to hear your dress hasn’t gone to plan. Good luck finding a lovely dress. I agree with the others that the lace backed one is beautiful.

spaceprawn74 · 17/06/2025 13:03

https://celebration-village.co.uk/wedding-dresses/

If you can get to Manchester (and this place still exists) I found my dress here - they had a huge selection in all shapes and sizes and a really kind and helpful set of staff - all off the peg and buckets of choice. Good luck x

>Wedding Dresses : Celebration Village

https://celebration-village.co.uk/wedding-dresses/

ecuse · 17/06/2025 13:56

The second dress is absolutely gorgeous on you and, yes, get a fabulous OTT long veil/train to go with it if you want a bit more burial VA VA voom.

Hope you have a fantastic wedding whatever you decide!

ecuse · 17/06/2025 13:56

ecuse · 17/06/2025 13:56

The second dress is absolutely gorgeous on you and, yes, get a fabulous OTT long veil/train to go with it if you want a bit more burial VA VA voom.

Hope you have a fantastic wedding whatever you decide!

BRIDAL va va voom FFS. Burial va va voom is presumably not the look you're after.

maowmaow · 17/06/2025 14:49

OP the photo of you in the 2nd dress, with the delicate straps and lace back is stunning.🤩 add a full length lacy veil for more drama, and that’s it, you will be stunning.

please post more photos when you go back and try it on a 2nd time. It’s definitely the one