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.

For Eleanor Mc . Hi I reckon you would do really well if you did the training to be a style consultant, The downside is it is expensive and buying the drapes is also expensive .Your choices are brilliant and it could be the case that the OP's in each case are checking details and then forget to get back to you. I would love to be a friend of yours as I would think you are an excellent person to go on a shopping trip with. I was amazed recently as I was on a day out with my friend and she is stylish and also plus sized. In a charity shop a lady asked us for advice saying Hello stylish ladies could you tell me if this dress suits me. My friend then asked if a top she had chosen suited her but my friend always looks lovely when we go to a social group for retired women. I love clothes myself but years ago when I was younger I didn't see much point in choosing colours andstyles and apart from my Mum's knowledge I must have looked a sight. It all changed in my 30's when I went to a style and image consultant. I was going on a personal growth course and got told I was stylish for the first time in my life.

Congrats OP! Kayta Wildman dresses for sure! Got my eye on them for if I ever get married again... 😍katyawildman.com/collections/bridal

Adrianna Papell might be worth a look.

My mum is a similar shape to you, and she wore a velvet dress from here for my wedding, and the fit was fantastic on her - they have a bit of stretch but have that structured look.
www.therareandthebeautiful.com/dreamy-velvet-dresses

House of Foxy might be worth looking at, they do vintage styles from the 1920s to 1970s

https://www.thehouseoffoxy.com/collections/vintage-bride-bridesmaids

❤️❤️

It’s easy to find dresses if you know where to look and spend some money!

Whilst I adore Katya Wildman's designs, she cuts for larger boobs. The OP is pear-shaped.

What about this? https://www.jjshouse.com/uk/product/jjshouse-anahita-a-line-v-neck-pleated-matte-satin-dress-g312286?pos=fromcombination225549&filterColor=aspicture.

I also like the architecture of the collar and sleeves of this one: www.jjshouse.com/uk/product/jjshouse-rya-a-line-sweetheart-pleated-satin-dress-g417918.

I did a search for Mother of the Bride and tea length and found quite a few possibilities.

edited to add another link.

I would avoid JJ's house.

Any of these any good? The Francine is over budget but I think it's by far the nicest option for your fairly specific requirements.

https://alemais.com/products/francine-midi-dress?

https://www.mytheresa.com/gb/en/women/alemais-printed-open-back-maxi-dress-multicoloured-p00990283?

Those are some crazy shoes on the Francine model!

I have an older friend who did the original Colour Me Beautiful training back in the 90s maybe?? She is always beautifully dressed!

I'm a landscape architect now specialising in garden design - so that gives me lots of opportunity to work with colour & form & texture (& scent!). The S&B is fun, but I'll stick with plants not clothes for my day job - much easier to work with than people!! 😁

A £500 budget isn't inconsiderable, but the OP does have very particular requirements - it's not always about how much money you can spend.

So where should she be looking?!!!

Agreed. I think it was someone on here that introduced me to Cumo London

Their clothes are not expensive, but I've bought a couple of dresses and they've both been lined (which is not guaranteed these days), made generously with material and the colours are amazing. They may not be 'special' enough for the OP, which is understandable but I just wanted to add them to suggestions!

I also have this top which is lovely and is definitely a jewel colour (link not showing but it's the cobalt blue lace wrap top)

Thought of you @Losingmymind85 when I was browsing today.

You said the wedding is the end of the year, so I have taken that as Christmas.
These are beautiful dresses, made individually with love. I have met Mary Benson so can confirm this would be the case!

This could work, available in green velvet. Dresses all individually made, length, sleeve length etc. This would also allow you to ‘choose’ an appropriate place for the waist.
There are various similar styles made by Mary Benson, Zelda or Erte might also work.

MaryBensonlimitededitionElizabeth

I second the Katya Wildman. I’m a pear shape and think the wide necklines might well balance out the lower half making a lovely curvy shape. Not many high waisted dresses around at the moment

This is the most gorgeous dress!!!! OP get this one!!!!!

Op also suggested black. That would make you stand out as few wear black as a guest. Velvet or lace. The Ralph Lauren above also comes in black.

https://raishma.co.uk/products/green-bella-dress
https://raishma.co.uk/products/burgundy-bella-dress
These cape dresses from Raishma are in their sale