Winter wedding dress help needed!

[mostimportantaspect]

I am losing my mind! Can anyone point me in a direction please?

Low budget wedding in Feb in a cold location. I don’t want a big poofy dress or floor length (dress will get wet and dirty).

I will only be wearing this for a couple of hours so was trying to spend less than £100 and not freeze to death

So many have no sleeves or shoulders and I would rather wear a normal bra! I don’t really want sparkly. The location is not overly posh but ‘vintage’ would look nice?

I am a size 8-10 but smaller on top than bottom, so this is really making me struggle, because anything fitted up top is too small on bottom and vice versa. Basically I don’t have big enough boobs. Happy to buy some kind of faux fur coat or cover up (which can be worn again)

I am 45 and although I am 45 I don’t want to dress too frumpy. I’m happy with a little bit of sleek and sexy and low key but not ‘mother of the bride’ vibes 😂

I don’t really have anyone who will give me an honest opinion on if something is frumpy.. is lace frumpy?

I married for he second time at 47 and wore a lovely sparkly wedding dress from Debenhams. It was very simple, longish but off the floor. We married in December and there was snow! To keep me warm I wore a faux white fur bolero which I took off inside for the reception. I had thought I wouldn't bother with a wedding dress but my SiL took me to Debenhams and they had some very reasonable dresses very pretty but suitable for second time round brides

https://www.debenhams.com/categories/womens-dresses-wedding?gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22809817104&gbraid=0AAAAABevdS7to0KSbgh19HPZIis1MZEta&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIk7fnv7CDkQMV7ZRQBh0pviugEAAYASAAEgKp4vD_BwE&page=2

How about this?

or this with a big mohair angora cardigan over the top?

I got a Debenhams one but it had to go back as baggy around the boobs!

Have been considering some of the Karen Millen ones so I will take a look

You can’t try anything on now in store and I am sick of sending stuff back. I am going to try to get to a John Lewis soon

@mostimportantaspect Coast may inspire?

https://clubllondon.com/products/parina-white-strappy-volume-hem-midi-dress-cl135424005

This would be beautiful with a fur jacket.

I got married a couple of weeks ago in a very wintry Brighton. I’m 52 and wore this dress with a big petticoat underneath and a white fake fur jacket from Monsoon.
https://britishretro.co.uk/product/dee-dee-ivory-drape-vintage-style-full-circle-dress/

Would this work? Not with the horrible boots

www.phase-eight.com/product/tilliana-dress-100126110608.html?utm_source=google&utm_source_platform=google_ads&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=NEST_PhaseEight_UK_EN_BoF_Shopping_Brand&utm_id=22580106175&utm_content=agid_183528896367-ad_753262295702&network=g&device=c&targetid=pla-294505072980&utm_tpl=live&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22580106175&gbraid=0AAAAADumyC8zIGujZxIWQp3aI8a4dLYKY&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI8-2U9dCDkQMVJZJQBh3d9g-WEAQYAyABEgLAx_D_BwE

Or this. But I have a job that with less fancy shoes, hair and accessories I could wear this to the office too
www.phase-eight.com/product/niccola-fitted-belted-midaxi-dress-220732453.html#navAjax=true&imageType=model&is=true&sz=60&start=58&cgid=dresses&isSecondPage=false&prefn1=color&prefv1=Cream|White&prefn2=pattern&prefv2=Embellished|Lace|Plain&prefn3=size&prefv3=10|12&pid=220732453&pos=91

The coast ones don’t fit me up top in a 10

I like the phase 8!

I like the idea of a tulle midis skirt lots of volume and a really gorgeous soft white cropped jumper, cashmere or mohair or something

This kind of vibe

I feel like I might be stating the obvious, but it wasn’t obvious to me until it was pointed out- if it doesn’t fit top and bottom, but the bigger size and take it up a tailor/seamstress to be altered.

When dh goes shopping, they alter everything in store, and he picks up perfectly fitting clothes a day or two later. It makes me unreasonably jealous. But lots of clothes need a little nip or tuck and then they’re perfect.

Whatever you buy, get it tailored to fit you properly. It doesn't have to cost that much and will make such a difference.

I got married in a very cold climate and bought a simple Monsoon dress that was strapless with an irregular hemline, so not floor length , but paired it with a white coat with faux fur trim and a faux fur hat for outside. Good luck with the wedding.

Why would you buy a cheap wedding dress when you could rent a beautiful one, @mostimportantaspect?

Take a look here for good introductions to the best places:

https://www.redonline.co.uk/fashion/a37750531/rent-clothes/

Does anyone know how much a seamstress costs? It’s as much as the dress!

Dress hire is also really expensive

I am wearing one dress for a few hours I am not spending £300 on it, or to get it tailored. I will persevere in my mission to find an off the peg!

Wasn't expecting this thread would be someone looking for a fairly traditional wedding dress. That's definitely not my forte, so I'm probably not going to be much help, but as I clicked...
How about a knitted dress - your budget won't stretch to wool, which is a shame, but this Karen Millen frock clings flatteringly, but would be suitable for a pear shape, and you could wear thermals underneath if necessary.

Alternatively, you could have short sleeves and lace. I think the lacy bottom half would look best with nude or cream tights, but that's just a personal preference.

If you like luxury knitwear there's definitely a case to be made for wearing a skirt with a very elegant (loose) rollneck or cowl neck jumper and a statement pendant or necklace of some sort, based on spending a bit more because you'll get good use out of the jumper. The difficulty is the skirt... Best options I could find were tulle, loose pleats in what seems to be fake leather and a jacquard column skirt.

I love the idea of the short swingy dress work tutu under. Makes me want to get married again !