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!

Bloody hell, OP, that is some update! You deserve a fantastic dress and a wonderful day, I think the advice to go for a huge veil is the best, less last minute stress. It can be as ornate as you want.

Another vote for the dress with the lace back.

Agree with the veil option. Also, if the dress is somewhat simpler on the skirt it gives you loads more options for the accessories. Have a sparkly hair vine woven into your hair, a stunning bouquet with crystals, a statement necklace, whatever you fancy.

I think your time would be better spent ringing round bridal shops close to you and asking if they have anything in our size, than being on here. Also be aware of the size variation - I was a size 8 when I got married but my dress was a 12. I was a 12 when I was a bridesmaid but my dress was a 16

No joy at the boutique today. The lovely owner did give me great advice. She confirmed I definitely need bridal size 8 for the bust and to not even bother trying anything else as it just won't work.
She's given me islington bridal boutique, Natalie ann bridal, belissima, and white gallery as places she thinks will have better ranges of smaller sizes off the peg. She also suggested trying cheshire boutiques as they tend to cater for a certain demographic and thinks I'd find something off the peg that way.
So I'm off tomorrow, I've got 2 places to go to. So let's see what tomorrow brings! I'm trying the lace backed dress on again, so I think that will help me.

OP, what a horrendous wedding day that must have been for you, I'm so sorry. I do hope that you find something you love and that your day is really special ❤

BIRMINGHAM BRIDAL OUTLET, has amazing reviews. birminghambridaloutlet.co.uk/wedding-dresses/

I think the lace backed dress looks stunning on you. If you are thinking of an overskirt to "add" something, what about a really LONG veil instead? Might be easier to source and not so critical with colour matching to the dress itself

Google Madison James MJ807,it's gorgeous 😍. I couldn't show a photo but I googled it and it come up on a Facebook page

Reading your updates I hope you find 'the one' (or at least 'a one', because I don't think there is only one dress that that can make us feel a million dollars).
Sorry if I was a little snippy previously but you are now doing the thing you need to do which is focusing your available time on visiting places where you can try on a range of dresses in your size and when you find one buy it and take it away on the day. I wouldn't want to buy a wedding dress on line, especially under time restrictions.
Good luck with the dress hunt, well done on the weight loss, have a fantastic wedding day (enjoy, don't sweat the small stuff) and most importantly have a long, happy marriage.

Well done btw OP. Massive achievement on your part!

There’s a ship called wed2be in Gateshead where they have hundreds of lovely dresses off the peg. Do they have similar near you?

I loved the lace backed dress and you looked stunning. If you feel it needs more oomph try a hoop from wed 2 be or a cathedral length veil. You are going to look stunning. Have a wonderful day.

I would go for the lacey back dress with a cathedral type veil. It's an elegant dress and I think an overskirt would be a bit fussy. The others might have a longer skirt but not as elegant as the one with straps.

Try this website. It has lots of used wedding dresses. www.stillwhite.com/shop?size=8&price=0-800

I bought mine on stillwhite.com
When I found the dress I liked, I tried it on in a bridal boutique so I knew what my size was for that particular designer, but then bought it online secondhand
If you get something cut on the bias and not corseted, it will be more forgiving

I would have said I remember your thread about finding out your ex h had cheated just after you married, but is it really ten years? That's shocking to me. Time really does go so fast while you're living your life.

Yes, it really is a full decade ago. I did wonder if some would remember as it's really such a specific story, not many marry and split up within 4 hours!
It's been a roller coaster of a 10 years, but not in a bad way. In fact, particulalry the last 8 years, have been the best years of my life. It was all for the best in the end. Even though it felt world ending at the time. It was the making of me 😊.

In the group of 5 photos you posted I prefer the non-strapless one

I am so glad you're happy now and I hope you find your dream dress.

@ThisMustBeMyDream Good luck with the dress hunt today. I assume/hope the shop was holding onto the v neck, straps, lace back dress for you for a few days, whilst you looked to see if you could get anything you liked better.

@ThisMustBeMyDream I live in the North West too by the way, and live approx. 35 mins by trains from Liverpool xx

Look at shops selling deb dresses.

You need something with a back on it OP and a decent strapless bra underneath if you’re wanting lift in the bust. I’d start with the bra then find the dress to suit from there which means you won’t run the risk of the same problem happening again. I bought my dress 4 weeks before my wedding and all was fine so don’t worry too much there’s still plenty time.

Good luck with the dress OP and glad you are in such a happy part of your life.