Dress Panic UPDATE

Have you considered a wedding dress outlet think there might be one in Dartford means you get loads and loads of dresses under one roof and no pressure to buy from the shop owners might even find a bargain Downside is they are off the rack and you would have to pay all in one go but might be way forward

No you're not the fussiest person ever. You still have time to find the one, and you will.

I probably tried on 30+ dresses before I found the right one and was so disheartened that I couldn't find "the one"

Just keep looking, look at some designers to find some you like then find a stockist near you and head along. It's worth a shot!

I haven't considered an outlet, but will have a Google and see what I can find that's not too far. Thanks for that idea

I'm glad I'm not the only one that has tried a few on... Everyone I speak to seems to try on one or two dresses. I just feel like I'm never going to find what I'm looking for!

I'm quite close to Dartford but haven't heard of any outlet in the area. The only bridal shop I know there is called Jacqueline's but I have heard a number of bad reviews so would not recommend.

I bought my dress from Bridal Wardrobe in Rochester. Not the hugest selection in the world, but they really know their stuff. The woman who owns it actually picked it out for me straight away. It was perfect and not at all what I imagined I would go for.

Thanks - I'm quite close to Rochester so will look up that one, thank you

If you don't mind buying a dress just a few months before the wedding (I probably should have written less than a year or so) you have a pretty good chance finding something in new collections. I'm definitely not an expert in the fashion industry but it seems you have time to look for new stuff in shops or outlets. You never know when a designer releases something new (doesn't have to be expensive) or a store starts cooperation with a new designer - either way.

So don't stress, better later than something you don't really like.

Oh I was just doing it from memory as Google wouldn't work maybe I'm wrong lol I'm in Nottingham and looked at going to the Leicester wedding dress outlet and thought there was one down there

If you're anywhere near Maidstone then there are quite a few shops in the high street area with relatively large collections ?

Hi, newbie here. Been lurking for a while but wanted to comment on this one.

I can highly recommend Bridal Wardrobe in Rochester as well. Karen was fantastic, completely honest when it came to what suited me and what didn't, Ordered my dress from there and can't wait to go back for my fittings ?

AspenLady, Sophia Tolli do some stunning gowns and there is a wonderful shop in Peterborough that stocks over a hundred plus sized dresses that are truly stunning and from a variety of designers.

http://embracebridalboutique.co.uk/

You're not alone at all! I went shopping four times, I absolutely hated three out of the four experiences for the same reason - all the samples they had were tiny so I felt huge!

Then I had one better experience where I almost bought a dress. I really liked it at the time, but it was a size 18 and I'm a 12. They pulled it all in when I looked in the mirror and I loved it, but then they let me take a picture but the lady in the shop wasn't stood behind me pulling it in so on the picture it was drowning me. When I went away from the shop all I had to look back on was this picture and I just kept thinking it looked like a toilet roll holder! I couldn't get past that and it totally put me off

I also found it really frustrating that I'd go with my mum and sister and one of them would like a dress and the other one would hate it, or they wouldn't like something I liked or vice versa. I was letting everyone else's opinions cloud my judgement and in the end I got so fed up it just put me off the whole thing

I'd almost given up then I was in town one day and saw a dress in the window of a local wedding shop. I popped in just to enquire and had a lovely chat with the lady in the shop. I was going to make an appointment to come back and try it on when I had someone with me and she suggested as I was struggling it might be worth trying shopping on my own. She was great and picked out three dresses for me, and without anyone there to confuse me it was the best experience I had. And I found my dress!!! I genuinely thought I was never going to have that "this is the one" moment, but I did It was such a relief and I've had no second thoughts about it since, I still absolutely love my dress

I have to say the lady in the shop made it for me - I was so confused by that point I had no idea what I was looking for and she was really helpful, picking dresses that actually suited my shape rather than just standing back while I picked completely wrong dresses out because they looked pretty on the hanger! I've always been good at dressing to suit my shape but with wedding dresses I found it to be a whole different ball game, none of the normal logic seemed to apply! The best advice I could give would be to find a good shop with great staff. You will get there I promise

You don't have to be a twiglet to wear a fitted dress, I'm a size 18 and I'm wearing sophia tolli.

This is one of the photos the guest took that isn't the clearest but gives a good idea on the shape of the dress.

Dear, you still have the time. Before trying a dress you need to know which type of body shape you are. are you hourglass figure or inverted trigangle, or the pear shape? Each shape suits for different kind of dress. For example for the hourglass figure. Suggested skirts are Sheath, A-Line, Ball Gown, Dropped Waistline, Mermaid. Suggested Necklines is Scoop, V-neck, One-Shoulder, Strapless or Halter. you can have a look on some online wedding dresses shop first, like Adasbridal.

Op - some really helpful advice above. Carry on going to different shops and I'm sure you'll find an assistant who knows what she's doing.

as you're struggling finding something you like once it's on I'd personally avoid going online as Zorana suggested. I'm not sure the body shape is the only factor. Just a personal opinion though...

Thanks everyone. Mrs W to be that has made me feel so much better.

It's not body shape that is the problem... I know what style suits me and the shape I would like, I just can't find the right dress with all the right elements! It's either too fussy, not fussy enough, too sparkly, not got the right neckline etc.

Just need to keep looking I guess and maybe not have such a specific idea in my little head!

Thank you all for such good advice, it's lovely this forum

You'll get there in the end Holz and then you'll come back and tell us and be over the moon!

If it makes you feel any better, my sister in law gets married next March and is having exactly the same problem. It is worth bearing in mind if you see something that is nearly there that a good seamstress may be able to add or take certain things away to create the dress of your dreams. For example: adding sleeves, changing a neckline, adding or removing embellishments, a belt or bow to create more of a waist. I found personally that trying a veil on helped and I didn't want one previously!

Just be aware these changes may come at a cost though - but if it is an extra £200 and you can afford it, it's money well spent!

@Aspenlady, there are designers that make wedding dresses specifically for curvier ladies. It's not just the size, it's the shape, flattering lines, creating illusions. There is one I looked at, La Prima (it's Wed2B's designer, I am a bit repetitive on this site but I really really like them and have already visited twice one of their stores so I think I am kind of promoting them!). I agree there should be more gowns for plus size women (and for petites and skinny ones as well) but there are some already

@Gembluetopaz - your dress is very beautiful, it shapes your gorgeous figure It looks very shiny (I like it). Is it just the light or is it the fabric of the dress?

Have you tried birchington brides? I got mine from there and the assistants are lovely and they let me try on 17 dresses and all were completely different I really can't recommend them enough and I'm going back there for my bridesmaids

Also what sort of shape etc are you after as we may be able to help find a specific dress

There's a big wedding dress outlet shop in Bromley. My friend got her dress from there and said they were helpful and had a big range. Tiaras and tails near Ashford have lovely dresses too. Good luck, looking forward to a flash when you're all sorted! Xx

Thank you everyone for the encouragement...

I found it!

After 4 shops and 27 dresses.... Enzoani Heather... I love it

Well done! Glad you found the dress. Enjoy!

Beautiful, well done. Where did you get it from in the end?

I went to Hayley Elizabeth Bridal in Orpington and they were fantastic. Highly recommend

27 dresses? Like in the movie

Ooh that dress is lovely
Really pleased that you have found your dress