Afraid of a wedding dress??!!

I was a little bit like this. Have you thought about going in a few months or so? Its still a long way off! How about going to just look at some dresses without trying them on? At least then you will be a bit sed to going into the bridal shops. That in its self can be a bit intimidating!

Good luck hun xx

First of all, size 16 is actually the average female size in the UK these days so you shouldn't have any issues - although of course the big problem is that most dress shops only stock the smaller sizes.

There are plenty of shops that cater for the "larger" bride - both in size and height - so if you can tell us where in the country you are I'm sure we can find a suitable shop nearby.

My b2b is a size 28 regular clothes, and she found a dress no problem - the shop she used caters for up to a size 34.

Just remember that wedding dress sizes don't match "normal" clothes sizes so just because you're a normal 16 doesn't mean your dress will be - you need to get measured and get a dress to suit, ignoring the label which is, after all, just a number.

Hey hunny! Im EXACTLY the same size and height as you and had the same worries, However most shops do stock larger sizes nowadays as the typical size of a british woman IS a size 16 and i think they have finally realised this! Hurrrah!

However even if you do find a dress that doesnt fit (too small or too big..) they can still try it on you in most cases and the assistnat will either pin it or hold it and you do get a great idea of what the dress will look like...

When i first tried mine onh it was too big, and i didnt see it fitted to me properly until 3 weeks before the wedding eeek! But it was fine.....9 times out of 10 the dress you choose wont fit lkike a glove straight away but this is what alterations are for and they make it fit too you and your body shape.

Take your Mum and MOH with you when you go, they are there to help and support you, and also give you HONEST opinoions on what you try on, But most of all just ENJOY IT as trust me once your married and you will never get too try another dress on, you REALLLLY want too!! ?

This is me in my dress after marrying my now HUSBAND! woop i didnt have a care in the world about how fat,thin, short or tall i was as he loves me for me and your Fiance and soon to be Husband loves you the way you are. Remember that hun xxx

Great advice from AJ there, I completey agree. Although it easier said than done to get over (for want of a better phrase) personal body issues. I am a size 14 with 2 stone to lose and I am under 5'. I am dreading dress shopping too because I have the opposite problem to you and I know I won't get a proper feel for the fit of the skirt of any dress with them all being at least a foot too long for me!

Anyway, find out some more details about your local dress shops (eg sizes stocked etc) bite the bullet and go for it. Good luck!!!

WSS! Mine was a size 22!!!! nearly died till she told me it was a spanish design and they are not true too UK sizes! Phew!

*cough* I is a guy *cough*

Sorry???! what was that too imply?

WSS = what SHE said.

Going too leave this forum now with my tail between my legs and head hung in shame! Sorry im at worki and only half read the replies x

'tis ok, I'm not offended, since 95% if not more of the forum are female it's easy to forget there's a few guys that post

He he, I don't think it's a hanging offence. I was laughing at it because I think you thought AJ was calling you a man?

LMAO!! Yeh i did ? quite upset me it did lol x

LOL!!

Well this made me smile!

Thanks All , your advice is uber helpful! And I think if I am that worried I need to move my bottom an do something about my fear of wedding dresses...stay tuned!

Mrs Redman11611 you looked gorgeous on your day! Your OH looked so proud in the pic!

All systems go!

You have nothing to worry about at all, I am a size 18 and had absolutly no problems at all, my size was never mentioned! and the dress I ended up buying, the sample was a size 10! hahaha looked ok on me as well - well I mean there was about 8 inches at the back that didn't meet but from the front you couldn't tell... I was like you and put it off for ages! my advice would be to go and get trying - I am getting married in August and didn't try my first dress on till Feb then I just felt rushed and pressured in to picking a dress as time was running out! I wish I had started the year before!

I'm not looking forward to dress shopping either so have no help to offer but just thought i'd tell you you're not alone!

Hi

I was in the same position as you in May this year!

I too am a size 16 and 5ft 7 and a bag of nerves.

But dont worry. I found that all the dresses I tried on were a size 10 but they get you into them and pin you in so you get the idea of the dress.

Just try and go with an open mind and dont feel down just because you cant get into the dress.

I found with all the 3 shops that I went to the assistance were lovely and kind and not fussed one bit about my size!

I was scared about stripping down to my undies in front of a complete stranger but they just put you at such ease and in fact gave me robe to wear if I wanted to!

You will have a brill time trust me!

Also, when in Nov are you getting married?

Im getting married on 10 Nov 12 (10/11/12)!!!!

I am 5ft 9 and a size 8-10 and I am also not looking forward to it! I will feel all pressured and hassled, I know I will...so you aren't alone at ALL. I really want to look lovely, but there are so many blo*dy options, and a million different dresses - should I go sleek and 1920s style? Or layers of tulle....or short?? or low back??? I am not good with choices AT ALL.

Thank-You for the words of support. I think I am getting hung up with the embarrassing prospect of shoe horning myself into a dress that doesn't fit! But it won't be mine yet will it?

VeeDubLuv! Date Twin!!

At long last a twin!!!!

So where are you getting married?

I'm getting married at the Lowry Theatre in Manchester. Me and H2B work in theatre and although it sounded a bit cliche to get married in one, I took my parents to see it this morning and even my dad (traditionalist) thinks its perfect!

How about you? How far have you got with your planning?

?

What a fab venue!

We are getting married and having our reception at a place called the Trafalgar Tavern in Greenwich. It is right on the thames and it will be what we call a 'London Wedding'!!!!!

We have booked our florist, tog, got my dress, starting to look at evening entertainment, registra is booked as well, oh and h2b has started to think about his suit as he is having it made!!!

Trying to be as organised as poss so we know what we have got to pay out for!

DO NOT WORRY ABOUT DRESS SHOPPING THOUGH! xxx

I'm a size 16 too and when I went to try on wedding dresses, I was worried too but the people in the shop were lovely and they had bigger sizes too. The dress I tried on was a 14 but it still went on but just didn't do up at the back as well. Don't be nervous about trying on dress - you will know whether the shop is right or not by how they treat you x