Looking for a colourful structured wedding dress that still feels bridal

[Losingmymind85]

Hi

I'm getting married at the end of the year. It's second time for both of us so it's at a registry office then hotel for the reception.
I know I don't want to wear white but I'm struggling to find something fabulous that looks 'bride', not guest or bridesmaid.
It needs to be:

1. Colourful. I suit bright, jewel tones like emerald green and cobalt blue. Also black. A solid colour rather than patterned. I don't suit reds, yellows or pastel tones.
2. Fitted and structured. I'm 5ft 1 with a pear shape. My hips are wide and my lower half is chunkier than my top half. Probably a size 8 up top and a 10/12 on the bottom. I need something that really nips the waist in. I have a very short torso so the waist coming in just under the bust tends to flatter more.

Nothing floaty as I look like I'm playing dress up.

Necklines and sleeves I'm open to everything but would prefer no one shoulder dresses.

I don't mind about length but midi and short suit better than long as more fabric tends to swamp me and make my bottom half look bigger (which I want to avoid). No pockets either as they are designed to hit at my widest point.

No skirts/top combos. Really don't have the shape for them.

Please help. Budget is under £500 and id love to be able to wear it again after the wedding.

congratulations! Dolly and Dotty have some lovely ones that might work
Beverly Black Off Shoulder Dress | LBD Little Black Dress
One Shoulder Black Formal Dress

Pressed send too early! I also meant to include LadyVLondon
Malachite Hepburn Dress Sale | Lady V London
And also realised you specified no one shoulder dresses, so ignore that first one! 🙈

British Retro?

'Dee Dee' Drape Deep Purple Vintage Full Circle Dress | British Retro https://share.google/YDySxsT84j1dK49fE

LBD? Or this one with a veil would look so cool!
I know you said no pattern, but empire line and gorgeous, also structured
Velvet for winter wedding
Another green if you like that 50s shape

Congratulations! 💍

DIL bought a beautiful emerald green ball gown (relatively inexpensive as not a ‘bridal’ garment) and then paid a local dressmaker to add a layer of more traditional lace over the entire bodice and skirt. It looked wonderful and was truly unique.

Ooh if you went down the LBD route here's a Vivienne Westwood (so definitely structured...a bit over budget though)

I see quite a few retro 50s-ish styles being suggested. If those shapes/styles are your thing OP, I would bypass the reproduction polyester ones for £50 & look for the real deal.

These are all 50s/60s dresses from UK sellers on Etsy, in your size (on top in 8 or larger, mostly free size on lower half), & all well under budget. You might even be near enough to some sellers that you can visit & try them on. Others offer returns. And you can get a dress tweaked by a good tailor to fit you perfectly - taken up to your perfect length etc.

https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/4550951661/vintage-1960s-handmade-navy-satin-dress?ref=share_ios_native_control

https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/4491562241/1960s-metallic-pink-dress-uk-size-8-10?ref=share_ios_native_control

https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/4384135411/stunning-1960s-nina-ricci-blue-floral?ref=share_ios_native_control

https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/4452424112/green-gold-1960s-brocade-dress-uk-size-8?ref=share_ios_native_control

This one is from a later era - it's 80s/90s silk brocade.

https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/4474035845/vintage-silk-brocade-statement-dress?ref=share_ios_native_control

Also rather love this 70s black one ...

https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/4533549054/1970s-frank-usher-velvet-dress-uk-size-8?ref=share_ios_native_control

https://www.thehippieshake.co.uk/products/blue-floral-embroidered-maxi-dress
You'll need to get it shortened. Great reveiws on Trustpilot .

Once again EleanorMc67 has some splendid ideas. Would you consider running style classes?. I would be there like a shot.