Getting married, need dress advice!?

Question

It's going to be in August. We've both been married before, I have a daughter and I'm 33. I'm about a size 14-16, so no slim thing.
I don't want a full-blown wedding dress, I'm too old and I did all that first time round when I was 20 and gorgeous!
We really just want a nice simple church ceremony with very close family, but I feel such an eejit in a dress. Normally wear jeans and wellies, or docs.
I've been looking at a lovely medieval, Galadriel type dress, in a kind of coffee colour. I don't want to go down the road of wearing a 'nice dress', like most second timers. Just don't know what I do want! What colour? (I'm brunette, although that changes frequently).
And I can't afford to spend a fortune! Any idea how much it costs to get married these days???
Any genuine advice would be welcome.

Answer 1

I have been making wedding dresses for years and refuse to charge ludicrous prices - wedding dresses are generally a rip off. I get my clients to buy their own material and then I generally charge around what the material cost to make the dress.
What I usually say to my clients is find pictures in magazines of dresses you like and then we would put together a final design using the pictures. (Sleeves from one, bodice from another, hemline from another etc...). I would then make a pattern and make the dress. That way it's still special and unique and is what you want.
If you like the idea email me and I'll help some more, otherwise I hope you can use the idea.
As far as how much to spend it always depends on what you want - if you're happy to keep it simple it's reasonable, but if want anything fancy you pay for it. As soon as people hear the word 'wedding' they seem to want to add zeroes on to everything!

Good luck and all the best!


I tried replying to your email but the message was blocked?!

Answer 2

I would get a lovely dress with a fitted high waist, but then it comes to an A-line effect. Nothing too fussy...simple in design. Not alot of fabric... The colors you could pick would be mauve pink, creamy beige, bone, light coffee color. What you should do is go to alot of stores, and just look first. Try on some and see what style suits your figure. Make sure you get some sort of sleeve..or a sleeveless dress but with a jacket or shrug. I don't know where you live, but we have a beautiful store called Estelle's. The dresses are georgeous and the prices are right. Try Estelles.com. But I am sure you will come up with a georgeous dress. I think you can find a beautiful dress for about $250 to $300. Also try David's Bridal.com They have wedding gowns, but probably dresses too. I wish you luck in your search.

Answer 3

Have a look through some wedding magazines at your local newsagent and go from there. I also suggest to go to a wedding dress maker and try on some dresses what you like or you can wear a nice shirt and top even a pair of nice long pants whatever you feel comfortable in. But at most weddings the bride is wearing a dress.
That's what most men seem to do but no with the dress with their suits if there not hired.
With the after party ask all your friends where theres a good, cheap place that you could hold the party. They should be able to help out.
I hope you wedding day is spectacular.
Maddie

P.S. get your daughter to help you out with some ideas tell her what your looking for and she should be able to help you out. And take your husband to be with you when you try on some dresses and get his opinion on it all and ask him what he wants because this is one of the happiest days in your life and both the bride and groom should remember it the way they both wanted it too be. Congratilations and Good luck

Answer 4

How about a Medieval theme wedding?? If you made it a theme wedding, then everybody would come in medieval themed attire, which can work out quite economical as costume hire normally have some great outfits for hire.

Not only will you feel comfortable, because you can choose whatever dress that you like, and the medieval coffee coloured dress sounds lovely btw, but you will feel extra comfortable because all your guests will be wearing something similar.

It also makes for a memorable day....for both you and your new husband, but for your guests too.

Whatever you decide, I hope it is perfect :-)

Answer 5

1. Grab a load of wedding magazines and start looking for ideas. If you liked the medieval type dress, definitely go with that idea, you should be comfortable in what you will be wearing.

According to Confetti website, wedding dresses cost on average £700, but people obviously spend more and less than that figure.

Have you considered looking on eBay for your wedding dress? If you don't feel comfortable in a dress, why not go for a cream/ivory trouser suit. Wide fitting trousers will look great on you.

Have you looked in Monsoon, Coast, Principles, or East stores? Most of them do a bridal section, and some lovely outfits that will complement you, and you will feel comfortable in.

I hope that has given you some ideas...

Answer 6

Firstly, size 14 - 16 is hardly obese, most women these days are around that size, so you're normal!!! I've found this site, it is a little Gothic, but they have some stunning dresses and not too expensive.

http://www.thedarkangel.co.uk/catalogue3.php?c=2

Marriage can be done as cheaply or as expensively as you want, some weddings cost thousands, others are done on a budget, just have the things that are important to you and don't worry about things like favours that can be costly but are usually a waste.

Answer 7

Hi dogsbody, when I got married 22 years ago in December, we both wore our leathers and jeans as did all our guests..... At the end of the day its not what you wear its what you say to each other that counts..... Budds... Have a goodun

Answer 8

http://www.youandyourwedding.co.uk/index.php/cat/326

Answer 9

Any dress that you feel comfortable in any color is suitable.

Answer 10

A diversuit - What is a GIMP?