Non-wedding wedding dress..

[Flowerface]

I am getting married next spring and want to wear something long and lovely but not an actual 'wedding' dress, not least because my budget is only £500, but also because we are doing quite a casual registry office/parents garden reception thing.

The trouble is that I have no idea what I want, other than that I do want it to be long. Does anyone have any suggestions? I am 5'9" and about size 12 (though hopefully a 10 by then). I want something subtly amazing which somehow manages to make me look transcendentally beautiful. Surely this isn't too much to ask?!?

too bridal?

very pretty & ethereal, choice of colours

Amanda Wakely has some gorgeous dresses...

Check out bridesmaids' dresses, loads of colour/cut choice and much cheaper than wedding dresses. Jasmine Bridal do some lovely ones, also Dessy, Jim Hjelm, Alfred Angelo...loads of the big wedding dress brands do them

a page of suggestions

purely for ideas, as i think it's american...

Here

it was the top green one i like

with very wonderful shoes??

from debenhams

pierce fonda debenhams again

candy says vintage

giovanna courture

Not much to add, but I am on the same search (for August), and I wanted to wish you luck!

What styles do you prefer? Halterneck or strapless, empire line or fishtail? Any particular era you're hoping to channel? What is your colouring like, do you prefer pastels or strong colours? Would you like something chiffony or satiny?

Is this too wedding-y? I think I just fell in love...

ooh unrequited, very, very pretty

Monsoon and Coast are your best bets!

It's also worth looking on E-bay I got my Monsoon wedding dress for £30

Simple but could be very well accessorised

I think this is pretty

Think we need to know what colours you're willing to look at.

nickelbabe I adore that green one shoulder dress (also on the lookout for a non traditional wedding dress) but no idea how to get hold of it. How did you even find it on that site? It's not obvious and i've followed a few links to dresses by la femme!

This is pretty and not white - would look fab if you are tanned/olive toned.

Like this - lots of ruffles!

This is nice

Thanks all! Coast is an excellent suggestion. I had forgotten all about it. Only thing is I am not mad keen on strapless - there is a danger of mononork, I think and the armpit flab issue...

msrisotto
"nickelbabe I adore that green one shoulder dress (also on the lookout for a non traditional wedding dress) but no idea how to get hold of it. How did you even find it on that site? It's not obvious and i've followed a few links to dresses by la femme! "
i just typed in "evening gown" into google images.

aah, oh well. I've saved it incase i want to get it made if i don't find anything else, it really is stunning.