feeling really down about finding a dress

Hi claire_91, don't feel disheartened - your OH loves you as you are ! if you want to lose a bit of weight for the big day, just set yourself small achievable goals so you don't feel like you have to lose all the weight now. There are loads of lovely dresses out there in all sizes- I have a friend who is a size 20 who looked beautiful on her wedding day and she was on a budget too. Why not go on the weight loss forum for a bit of support and advice on dresses ? x

Aaaw hun, I'm sorry you're feeling down. You have plenty of time to start looking for dresses etc. and you are by no means the only bride to want to lose weight before her big day! Look at it this way, if you lose just 1lb a week from now until your day, you could be up to 6 stone lighter by the time you walk down the aisle (if I've worked that out right!) and that even gives you some time off the old diet wagon for christmas etc.!

Try not to put yourself under too much stress, your partner loves you exactly as you are and you will be a beautiful bride!! xxx

Hiya

I'm your size too and I tried on some dresses that did a lot for me. I'm an apple...through and through and some of the dresses are so clever and hid this. In one of them I looked positively slender....my mum's words.

Don't be down. You are who you are, only you can do something about this but I wish you the best of luck with it. I've been with WW for over a year. I used to be a size 28...I feel fantastic that I'm now "only" a 22. I've lost my way a little recently but fully intend to get back on it.

Chin up girl, we're beautiful inside and out and no one should say otherwise!

Wedding dress and veils are unbelivably flattering - I am a 16 and when I saw myself in one dress I actually said out loud OMG I look thin! I didnt want to take it off.

Basically all need to do is ask the shop for loads of advice - if you live in the SE try gillian roberts in eltham - the assistant there ( emma ) is wonderful.

Dont stress this is the fun bit, good luck at WW.

You are Beautiful- no matter what your weight is- I'm a size 18-20 (6 stone overweight) and the people that made my dress were fabulous. We do as plus size ladies suffer the injustices of not having the world as an oyster of wedding dresses; we are limited to a select few, and a very similar price range.

I think if you find a dress style that is flattering, it will accentuate your good features and a good bridal shop can always make recommendations on how to hide what you don't like. For example I hate my arms, so I had a osterich feather bolero. you could have an sleeved mini bolero or even a gown with sleeves. I know that tummys are an issue too (me included) with plus sizes and so choosing an a-line style dress

I did go to a specific dress shop in West Yorkshire called Amazing Bridal in Huddersfield that was fantastic that had dresses in our sizes that are ready to try on AND look amazing. They were all £750 because they make them themselves and take 9-12 months. Now that was out of my price range (not sure what yours is), so I tried on all the dresses I liked then later looked for a Chinese dress maker with the ability to make something much faster and cheaper but with the same (or similar) design. I only had 3 months to get a dress as well so I didn't have the time to wait so unless it was one of their samples, I wouldn't have had a dress.

I took a risk on a company called Myweddingdressforless AND ordering from a randome one on e-bay because collectively I had to get a decent dress out of the 2 and it was still half the price of the shop I visited. In the end, the dress from e-bay was a knock off, and was too small and not the same as the picture, and the second from MyWeddingDressForLess was absolutely stunning. The satin it was made in was thick bridal satin, boned and layer properly like the dresses at the stores and hand beaded in exactly the colours and styles I had indicated. I can't recommend them enough as they take your exact measurements and deliever a dress that fits like a glove with zero alterations needed when it arrived in just 9 weeks! They showed me pictures along the way and made sure I knew every couple of weeks where the process was at, and that I approved everything they did. (I'm exterely picky on detail so this was a real long shot for me). I must admit that it seemed to lack something when it arrived, but it was easily rectified as it was more a design feature that I liked (brooches) and wanted to add.

Everyone said it was the most beautiful and unusual dress (I had a lot of red and black detail on it) that they had ever seen, and all at a fraction of the cost! I'll flash here and you can take a look!

Hope this helps!!

Hi Claire!

I am the same size as you and I was totally dreading dress shopping but it really wasn't as bad as I had built it up in my head. The assistants were lovely and offered advice on what would suit my shape.

I have started back on slimming world as I am determined now to get some weight off. You have taken a positive step so well done! You have plenty of time to find your dream dress. Try not to worry yourself. I have had to have a word with myself because I know if I pile the pressure on myself I won't do it. I am setting small targets and hopefully will get to where I would like to be.

I found staring at the models on the internet made me anxious and dread the shopping. I bought my dress yesterday and looking at it on the internet I would never have gone for it because I thought I would look huge in it. But wedding dresses can do amazing things for you.

Try not to worry, you will be a beautiful bride! xx

Thankyou so much everyone, you are so supportive. I am feeling a bit better now after a trip to the shops where I've bought some lovely healthy food. I am hoping that once I go back to uni/wprk (it's a PGCE so it's both in one) I will have a set routine again for the first time in three years and I know that will help. I eat because it's something to do so like has been said, it's up to me to put an end to it. I'd love a size 14 dress and that is going to be my goal, who knows I may even manage more than that!

Please don't feel down! I am a size 20 and have had many dress wobbles along the way... I don't think I felt happy really until I tried it on at my final fitting!!

My dress maker said to me 'your hubby to be asked you to marry you because he loves you as you are not a size smaller or weighing less'

Just remember the same applies to you and you will look beautiful in whatever you choose!

keep smiling! I wish I had now! xxxx

I can't really add much to the great advice in here already, but please stay positive and remember you're already marrying the man you love, you've got so many things to be positive so remember that and try to think happy thoughts!

You will find something that makes you think "wow" about yourself and everyone who sees you will think exactly the same.

Stay positive and everything will work out amazing for you x

I'm a size 18/20 at the moment and there are some amazing Plus size bridal shops out there that I would recommend.

I decided to have my dress made as I didn't like being limited by what I wanted.

I'd like to get down to a size 16 by the wedding next September so I have joined my Fitness pal, which is a free app.

There are quite a few brides who use it and it's really good.

A lot of us are going through the same thing at the moment so don't worry you are not alone and there is lots of support available.

Chin up xx

You guys are awesome, seriously. Thankyou for the pick me up. I know the ball is in my court and I have to sort this myself. I know there are some lovely plus size dresses around but I just desperately don't want to only have the choice of those. I've had a lifetime of only buying what fits and not what I want and this time I really want to knock my oh for six with something stunning and have a healthy start to our married life so we can have babies with no trouble. I'm on day two of my new healthy eating now and i'm just going to take it a day at a time and see how I go. Thankyou for all the support you are all lovely

Hello, You have had some fab advice on here, I am of similar size to you, have lost 2 stone on SW, So good luck with the WW... I know you are on a budget and so maybe these dresses may be a little bit pricey for you, But please have a look at Mori Lee Juiletta range, She makes BEAUTIFUL dresses for plus sized people... I am ordering myself one, Never looked at anyone elses website because i fell in love with her dresses when i was 16 (24 now)...

I think maybe you could go and try on dresses in a bridal store.. You might be surprised at how some dresses feel on you, Esp with a corset back, They give you a FAB waist!

How much are the mori lee dresses on average? I have no idea how much different designers cost. I've just had a quick look and they are lovely.

The one I have decided on is £1000, But I did try on one that was £700.. I know its quite expensive still but I just wanted to show you that not all plus size dresses are hideous lol!

This is the one I have decided on:

https://uk.morilee.com/s/3104/

Please go on try them on.. they will make you feel fab, I have never felt so gorgeous as I did when I tried it on... Lol I sound like I work for her haha!

When I had a quick look that was the one I really liked!!!! It's beautiful, i'm so jealous x

It's just as lovely in real life too! haha made me all excited about wearing it lol!

Everybody else has given really good advice just wanted to get my tuppence worth in. I have quotes and words of motivation around my kitchen.

Please don't feel discouraged and I know how you feel about dress shopping but some of the dresses are amazing the way they flatter your body. xx

Hi Claire,

Just wanted to add my thoughts to the others and this has nothing to do with my business, this is coming from someone who is a size 20 and proud.

There are some fabulous ranges out there by designers who tailor dresses specifically for the fuller figured bride. The sizes are realistic, the designs are not just "tents with sparkle" and the prices are very very reasonable. As well as the Julietta range by Mori Lee theres also Callista and Sonsie by Veromia, just to name a couple. If your budget stretches a bit further Mon Cheri do a large selection of their dresses in plus size ranges too.

I would seriously suggest finding a plus sized stockist in your area who should have a good selection for your to try on (and Im talking at least a dozen). This will boost your confidence, you will start to look at your plus points rather than the negative, for example you may have a proportionately smaller waist, so find something that draws the eye to that, or you may have amazing "boobage" and look how many people pay to have theirs increased! A good corset can give you an amazing hour glass figure, a shrug or bolero can hide or take attention away from those areas the majority of us dont like, a well fitting dress will do away with back fat and well placed beading or detailing can draw the eye away from areas that arent your favourite.

Ive done WW and SW and yes ive probably lost the equivalent of a small blue whale by now but as soon as I stop my weight goes back on and more. Ive now decided I love who I am, I love food even more and NEVER feel guilty about a glass of wine or a dessert, Im reasonably fit and healthy, I have a fabulous job and its the most rewarding feeling to help others feel good about themselves without putting extra pressure on themselves to lose weight.

Theres lot of advice and solid, reliable, friendly support on here and whatever decision you make im certain you will look amazing.