Wedding dress shopping when your self esteem is crap

[OliveFatball]

Getting married in December - simple and small wedding. Desperately wanted to find a high street wedding dress (coast, monsoon etc) rather than hit the dress shops - my self esteem is low and the thought fills me with dread

i’m a size 12 but with a big chest - so far all the dresses I’ve tried that fit my body have no stretch so just won’t do round the chest. I’ve tried sizing up obviously but it just feels off balance and I don’t know how well these dresses with respond to tailoring. Feeling increasingly like I’m going to have to go to a dress shop but I just find the whole thing hideously stressful and know I will just feel like crap. it feels like it’s supposed to be exciting but it just gives me a sense of dread.

Has anyone got any tips for other high street dresses, or suggestions for how not to make the dress shopping experience horrendous (away from months of therapy!).

My best advice would be to look up the local Bridal Shoos and see which ones you like the look of and also can afford and either contact them asking when they're quiet.

Have you got a DF that you could take with you?

I think the pressure can be a bit much. I went with the intention of just having a look and a nice morning with 2 DF then lunch somewhere.

I actually found the staff in the second shop very helpful. They knew exactly what would suit me and how it could be altered to look perfect and ended up getting a dress that day.

They are designed to be altered , not many women have the perfect hourglass shape ... don't worry .. they should be pinning them on you so you can see hoe they will look once altered !