Wedding dress advice please

[Shallysally]

I love this dress. Tried a few different styles in two shops and this style in satin is, I feel, the right one for me.

The dress has two layers of tulle that I’m considering having removed due to needing to be cool on the day, and the tulle not being one piece. It’s gathered at the mid point of the skirt and the gathering is visible. I’ll wear a cotton hoop instead.

I’m worried about tripping over in the dress. It needs shortening but the train is long, there’s a lot of material.

So options are:
Have the train shortened or removed.
Have the dress made into ankle length tea style.

I’d appreciate advice please!

That seems a lot of changes for a dress.

I know you say you love it but I bet you can find a similar style without tulle, slightly shorter and less of a train.
There are a million wedding dresses out there.

Also your body language doesn't scream ,"Live this dress".

@123123again thank you. Think my brain is overloaded with dresses! I’ve looked at a lot online, tried a few on.
I know I’m not showing that I love the dress but I actually do.

its beautiful! I'd keep the train and just make sure the front is short enough for you not to trip.

@inkblink thank you! I’m going back to the shop to try it on again tomorrow. I’ll practice walking in it and see how the fabric is when walking. Just so conscious of it getting wrapped around my legs.

Thinking of wearing flattish shoes so I don’t have heels to contend with as well.

My seamstress placed a tiny button on the back of my skirt and a little hoop thread halfway up the train - this allowed me to hook the train onto the skirt. It was draped very prettily and it was out of the way. I also had a couple of buttons and hoops low on the sides of my dress that slightly gathered it up so it was just off the floor. So I got to enjoy the sweep of the dress and train for the ceremony but I then hooked it up so it wasn’t in the way later. Would have been good for dancing but part 2 of my wedding was hiking in the Highlands and scrambling up rocks in the dress, so it was very necessary 😁

I had to look it up - a bustle! Or you can hook it on It wrist.

It doesn't look too long in the front view in the mirror. I think you'd ruin it if you make all those changes. It's perfect as it is.

Go and try it on again and add a hoop. The whole point of a hoop is that it keeps the tulle or any other layers from sticking to your legs. A good bridal shop should be able to address any concerns you have and suggest ways to fix them. Going tea length seems a very drastic option and really changes the look of the dress which is lovely as it is. As others have suggested they can add a hook so that you can bustle the dress for the evening, thereby keeping the gorgeous train for the ceremony.

I’d have it made into ballerina length.

Agree. If you need to make all those changes, it's not the one. It's a nice enough dress but there will be lots of similar dresses around that might suit you better.

It does sound like you're overthinking it a bit OP. Most brides manage with a big dress or a long train. I'd advise speaking to a wedding seamstress before you buy the dress, if you do want to make changes. They know what's realistic and sensible.

Thanks all. I agree I’m probably overthinking it! But I’m going to try more dresses at the weekend. Don’t feel I’ve tried enough styles on, and whilst I do like the dress I didn’t get the wow moment that people talk about.

If you like tea length dresses with that shape look here; https://www.digforvictoryclothing.com/size-uk-18---ruby-wedding-dress-in-champagne-silk-dupion

They do off the peg and made to measure.

I think you are worrying about a lot of things. It's standard to have your dress and its lining shortened so it's just above the floor and doesn't trip you up. It's quite hard to trip over a train and it can be customised with hidden buttons or ribbons to "bustle" it up out of the way later in the day if you want.

I remember going to a wedding once where the bride had clearly insisted on "no fuss" and had a very plain dress, ankle length, flat shoes, it was all great but she kind of looked plainly dressed next to the bridesmaids.

Edit: but also to say it's a lovely dress and looks very classy.

It’s not the One @Shallysally sorry. I am the least dressy girl ever and really only went wedding dress shopping second time round as I had a girls group and wanted that experience. But honestly when I tried on my dress I knew it was the One. Keep shopping!!

I bought a wedding dress 2 months after I got engaged off the rack that was low key because I didn't want a fuss, wanted understated etc. A few months later I panicked because I realised it wasn't the dress for me. I wasted £800 (could have been worse I guess, at least it was a sample). Fortunately I did some good research, visited two more shops and found multiple nicer dresses I could have worn, but found The One. It was also understated, plain satin, no beading or embroidery, but it was just stunning and absolutely perfect for me.

I think I had in my head that wedding dresses are OTT, girly and frou frou (unless you had a £££ budget), but that's not necessarily the case. If your style is more understated than meringue there are still loads of options. I'd caution against just going to try things on without a bit of preparation. What's your budget? Just roughly, is it £500, £1000, £2000+..? Are there any designers you like? What do you like about that dress in the OP? Is it the A-line style, the fabric, the neckline, the pleating? Would you have liked more sparkle, or do you like the plain fabric? To be honest I don't think the back of that dress is doing anything for you, although it looks nice from the front.