anyone not having a 'wedding' dress?

I'm having an evening gown as opposed to a wedding dress. This is my 3rd wedding and I'm heading rapidly towards 40 and I just didn't want the whole wedding dress thing this time. I also decided to get married in red - something I wanted to do previously but wasn't brave enough. I think I've now reached the age where I'm starting to do what I want to do and not give a toss what anyone else thinks!! My dress is this one (sorry if it comes up big), not me in it (obviously):-

I'm not, but I haven't actually bought my dress yet. There are a couple on modcloth I love, it'll probably be something like this if not one of these:

There's some really really beautiful dresses in coast at the mo -

https://www.coastfashion.com/womens/dresses/maxi-dresses

https://www.coastfashion.com/womens/dresses/maxi-dresses

I initially wasn't going to wear a wedding dress and was looking at dresses like this.

I'm not having a wedding dress, I am having a black Pagan Handfasting dress. I just can't see me in a 'normal' wedding dress!

I'm having a Handfasting and I've found a lovely pagan dress

This was my dress. I never wear white/ivory, so was never going to wear a dress in those colours. I also wanted a dress I could wear again and again, not just once, then it getting shoved into storage.

Age and how many times you may or may not have been married are irrelevant. If you want a full on wedding dress and feel you can carry one off then go for it. This applies no matter how old you are or whether you have been married before. It's about how you feel.

I'm 40 something, and a bit more, and getting married for the thrid time. I thought I'd have to wear something really understated and demure and was happy with that. I tried what I thought I wanted on and it was awful awful awful. The I I tried a proper wesdding dress on and was sold.

If you don't want a wedding dress then that's great - go for what you want and feel great in. You need to feel special because it is your special day. There are some amazing evening dresses which look great too. At the end of the day a dress is a dress. What label you attach to it doesn't matter. Does it fit and suit you? Does it make you feel amazing? Is it what you want? If yes then that's your wedding dress.

I'm not having a traditional wedding dress. I was thinking of getting a dress from Phase Eight, but H2B pointed out that someone could turn up in the same dress as me! There's a dressmaker local to me who specialises in 50s style dresses, like the one ebony rose is wearing - you look fab! I'm going to get something like the dresses that Vivienne of Holloway sell.

I second what Pammy said. I'm a first time bride and 42 and I couldn't imagine myself in a wedding dress either until I tried one on and then didn't want anything but! It's definitely worth trying some on if you haven't before. But of course, if you don't want one then there are some absolutely gorgeous non-wedding dresses out there to choose from as well. Some bridal shops also stock gorgeous bridesmaid dresses and evening dresses too so might be worth a look.

Due to my age, I am not having a "wedding dress". I fell in love with a dress and my impulse was "THAT is the one!" and went for it.

A deep burgundy Victorian dress.

Everytime I have gone to look at wedding dresses I just couldnt see myself in one.

I love this! You look fab.

I'm in my 40s and first time bride so I know what you mean. I would recommend trying on dresses first as I also wanted something more like a special evening dress in white or ivory. In the first shop I was trying on dresses I kept saying 'nope too weddingy' and the assistant said 'sorry to break it to you honey but you ARE getting married'. My mum says my face when she put a veil on my head was a picture. Like she'd murdered a baby seal in front of me.

So yes I am going for wedding dress but the styles around are so diverse you are sure to find one to match your theme. Quite a few dresses feel much less weddingy without a veil. What style wedding were you thinking? Vintage? 50s? Casual? Also what is your normal style?

I'm going for Old Hollywood Glamour with black tie and cocktail dresses - so it feels like I'm just hosting my own very expensive ball, lol.

This will be my second time around, but his first. I will not get a traditional dress but have seen some beautiful alternatives around...

But to be honest, other than that, I have no idea what I will get!I simply know what I will *not* get.

Andrea de Gabriel

I'm also in my 40s but this is my second-time around and I was told by some people that I 'shouldn't have a wedding dress'. All very well, but I didn't have one the first time around because I was heavily pregnant and no such thing as maternity wedding dresses existed back then. This time, I wanted to feel like a bride, look like a bride and be a bride so I went for the wedding dress.

Having said all that, if you don't feel comfortable in a wedding dress then you should have exactly what you do want x

I firmly believe that it should not be about your age, and definitely not about what other people think... It should be about what you want, your personal feelings about it and your own comfort zone.

I simply do not want a tradtional dress and have never wanted one, but if I did I doubt very much anyone would be able to stop me! ?

Andrea de Gabriel

My apologies if I caused offence - I certainly did not mean to suggest that you should have a wedding dress if you don't want one. I was simply trying to say that I hoped the OP would feel beautiful in whatever she chooses to wear x

Oh, goodness! No, Bekkijane! This was not directed at you! Or anyone in this thread...It was just a general thought on the whole subject.

I am the one who should apologise if it came across as a that sort of reply! It is all good... ❤️

Andrea de Gabriel

lol, that's ok then x

Love this

Nope I'm not having a 'wedding' dress either. Haven't decided on a dress yet but I've mostly been looking at yellow bridesmaids/prom dresses.