Alternatives to standard white wedding dress

[Sheeta]

Just got engaged (woohoo!) but we have very little idea of what kind of wedding we want, I know I don't want the traditional set-up with a big white dress and loads of guests, we want a relatively small (and cheap ) wedding, but...

Any suggestions for a dress? White is fine, but does anybody have any suggestions for something that little bit alternative?

x

I saw this the other day and swooned.

If I were getting married again.... not sure about your budget but as a MNer, you'd get 10% off.

congratulations by the way!!

www.monsoon.co.uk/icat/bridaldresses&bklist=icat,5,shop,womencollections,bridal,bridaldresses

Monsoon have some nice bits - I like the tunic dress!

my friend got married in an orange wedding dress with a fuschia pink underskirt. standard issue wedding dress, just, different.

she had told everyone in advance, but no-one believed her.

she did work in pr though

i love kind of mink coloured silk

When is your wedding - I heard of a haloween wedding the other day which sounded ace! The bride wore a black gown and instead of flowers on the tables they had pumpkins - maybe you could theme your day based on the date or something else

Friend of mine got married in long gold dress, it was gorgeous and I think set her back about £150. If I were to get married I'll choose a lovely new dress, definitely not white, almost certainly closer to knee length. But DP and I have agreed that when the time comes we are going to the register office and then a restaurant with a witness plus spouse each.

I had a church wedding round the corner from our house and wore an off white evening dress. It was a bit unusual as only immediate family came to the ceremony - total 9 plus me and DH and DS - we needed the 4 person choir for the hymn ! Four of our closest friends were waiting outside in the church garden with a champagne picnic which was just lovely, so relaxed. We then went to the pub and 11 of us went on to a great restaurant for a meal in the evening.

We spent about £2,000 (not inc dress). I only had a bouquet for myself and some flowers for the table, I walked to the church (great fun!), got a great deal on a photographer. No cake, no favours, no bridesmaids (although my two best friends and sister were around all day for the getting ready process and organised a hen party), no cars, band, dj etc - although we did have a big party a week later to celebrate. It was perfect for us. The photographer we had has done lots of celeb/high society weddings but said that ours was one of her favourites, along with one where the bride and groom had a bbq in their back garden after their small wedding, with a huge cake that their kids made, the paddling pool and deck chairs out, loads of champagne . The photos look fab, everyone in wedding clothes, lying in deck chairs at the end!

I wore a pinky-lilac Amanda Wakely evening gown, with a wee tail. I usually shop at places like Gap!

I also know someone who got married dressed as a fairy, and someone who had a "Maid Marian" style dress made. It was beautiful - cletic embroidery, lace up bodice, crushed velvet, fluted sleeves...

Try the Spanish company Pronovias - they do some classic and some not so classic dresses but they are all lovely. here this is one of their Fiesta Collection - but all of their gowns are pretty special.

I got married last winter and wore a red dress (pics on profile). I also love 1950's dresses like these

A lot of bridesmaid dresses are now gorgeous and can be a bit different and less formal. Things like this

Congrats by he way

wow tilly - beautiful dress - and that website has some great dresses.

I love the idea of the netting being a different colour, how cool!

Good taste Tilly....I'm planning on a Candy Anthony dress when DP and I eventually get hitched

Love them!

Oh and Let Them Eat Cake - that dress is exquisite. If I was about 6 inches taller and 3 stone thinner I'd be coveting it!

My SIL wore an amazing outfit to her hen party: a charity shop wedding dress cut to above the knee, with cowboy boots! She looked truly awesome. Sadly she just wore a nondescript standard issue dress on the big day

Very Bunny. I just didn't have the waist for them

I wore a dark grey shot dress with navy Indian-ish embroidery and matching coat from John Lewis; but you should match a dress to the season first and foremost 9mine ws MArch) and then try some on. I assumed I would be a white ballgown kinda girl, Ha! When I put one on I had an urge to shout feminist slogans and wear bovver boots.

Tilly - I wore red too, but nothing like yours - mine was like this but all deep red and with white ribbons and trim. (I had lily of the valley for flowers and in my hair). My dh wore this but with a pirate shirt,(and without the long hair and mallen streak).

Hi Sheeta , I don't know where abouts you are but I got married in a very old red dress that I hired for next to nothing (in comparison to bridal shops ) from angels and bermans which is a theatrical shop in London . It was a fantastic place to go and have a nose around . This is in Shaftsbury ave in London and hires out to all the west end theatres and film productions but if you have access to a major city it is definetly worth having a look and seeing what they have to offer .

Thank you all so much!! You've given me some ideas, and some of the dresses you've linked to are absolutely gorgeous! Must lose about 4 stone so I can fit into them now!!

jus have a feeling that once I know what dress I want, the rest will hopefully all fit into place. . .