bridal separates - where can i get skirt/top combo instead of traditional wedding dress

To be honest, I have not heard of seperates for weddings, but, it doesn't mean that they don't exist.

I know you can get some lovely skirts on coast, this is a particularly nice one (well in my opinion)

http://www.coast-stores.com/penny-skirt/skirts/coast/fcp-product/1396333

I couldnt see a top on there that I thought would be weddinginy enough,

but it all depends on what you are looking for.

Have you asked any bridal stores to see if they have anything like that in stock?

Sorry I can't be of any more help.

EDIT

I did find this place that does separates, I dont know how much they cost and they are based in London

http://sallylacock.com/bridal-separates/

Ahh cool!

I'd google two piece wedding dress and see what comes up by way of stockists. I don't think it's very common, but have seen someone wear one and it looked good. Like the idea of mixing it up in the evening.

I'd give a couple of bridal boutiques a call and see what you can find.

In the early 2000's separates were almost more common than actual dresses- almost everything was corset and skirt!- alfred angelo being one of the biggest hitters for it back then (i used to write fro wedding magazines and sooooooo many brides would write in complaining the opposite, that they were struggling to find a dress rather than separates! lol), but tbh nowadays the trend has swung the other way. best bet is either pre-loved and hope for an early 2000's dress seller, or call shops in advance and see if they have separates in stock and then see what cost their running at. i'll keep my eyes peeled and if i see anything i'll pop back by this thread. best of luck!

Can I suggest you actually visit a bridal boutique and try some dresses on. You might be surprised at what they find that will suit and flatter your shape. Tell them your budget and let them work some magic. Even if you don't buy from them, and you don't have to, you will come away with a clearer idea of what you should be looking for. Almost all of us had ideas of what we wanted but came away with something totally different.

My friend got married in a two piece from Monsoon but that was about 10 years ago now. She looked lovely. Corset strapless top and full length skirt. It looked like a one piece in reality

January is the start of the big sample sales so you can get some bargains, also try Bridal Outlets. They have bargains too - but it's worth having a good idea of what you're looking for before going there. Also you can look on ebay and preloved and get some amazing bargains once you know what you should be looking at.

hth x

I am pear shaped too, and I was AMAZED at how much choice there was for dresses that made me look good, making my curves look sexy rather than huge. So don't rule out "traditional" wedding gowns - When they took my measurements, I was an 8 for my waist, a 10 for my boobs, and a 16, yes a 16 for my hips.....but this is what I have ended up with.....

Honestly, I was gobsmacked....get the right shop assistant to find you the right dress with the right fabric and cut, and you will have LOADS to consider.

Happy shopping!!

High street stores use to do cheap separates... I agree it was very common a while ago, now they are cheap because they are out of fashion

if you dont mind second hand ot ex sample here are a few:

£50

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Wedding-Dress-Prom-Dress-Ronald-Joyce-Size-12-White-2-Piece-/201219796945?pt=UK_Wedding_Dresses&hash=item2ed9a26fd1

£30

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-WITH-TAGS-ivory-grey-2-PIECE-off-shoulder-WEDDING-DRESS-BRIDESMAID-DRESS-/261681828165?pt=UK_Wedding_Dresses&hash=item3ced73d145

£30

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-WITH-TAGS-PINK-2-PIECE-WEDDING-DRESS-BRIDESMAID-DRESS-MERMAID-DRESS-/261681828163?pt=UK_Wedding_Dresses&hash=item3ced73d143

£50

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LUCYLIN-2-PIECE-WEDDING-DRESSNWITH-SNOWFLAKES-ON-BODICE-SIZE-10-SKIRT-SIZE-12-/261657001733?pt=UK_Wedding_Dresses&hash=item3cebf8ff05

£30

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ex-sample-White-Rose-Collection-2-Piece-Bridal-Set-Size-12-/111530503069?pt=UK_Wedding_Dresses&hash=item19f7bc6b9d

£40

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/GORGEOUS-IVORY-2-PIECE-HIGH-SOCIETY-WEDDING-DRESS-SIZE-16-/261682610567?pt=UK_Wedding_Dresses&hash=item3ced7fc187

£55

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/New-Ellis-Size-12-Ivory-2-Piece-Lace-Corset-Long-Train-Wedding-Dress-/221616359879?pt=UK_Wedding_Dresses&hash=item33995d49c7

Kimiu I've never seen a flash of your dress before, it's stunning!

OP - If you've got a certain look in mind maybe getting it made could be an option?

Thanks! I love it, and NEVER thought I could wear something like that with such a difference in dress sizes from my top half to my bottom half.....just goes to show that us curvy ladies aren't as restricted as we once were with the styles available to us! I thought I would end up with A-line at best.

OP, have you got any particular styles in mind?

OP - don't be put off straight away. Some good advice above re going round bridal shops and trying a variety of styles including a one piece dress.

I feel the thread has turned a bit negative on your idea which is a shame.

Totally agree that the two piece was all the rage in and around 2000, but that is a LONG time ago in fashion terms (lots of the brides in their mid 20s won't remember this!). Who knows maybe you'll be front runner if you go for this now and if it's good enough for Olivia Palermo then why not

Here are some 'modern' versions and i think lots of them look lovely and very far from 'cheap'. I'm guessing that's more what you were thinking?

http://www.buzzfeed.com/jessicaprobus/36-ultra-glamorous-two-piece-wedding-dresses

Sorry I can't be of help. But thought a bit of love for the idea was needed. I hope you find something!

Kimiu - stunning dress! You look fantastic

Was 'cheap' a dig at what I posted?

mine was just a factual statement not an opinion, 2 pieces look fine but they are cheap (in price) compared to the more in fashion styles... how can you take offense to that statement :s

thats just how the world works... price is determined by demand, change in fashion means the demand is no longer then hence the prices are lower

I don't think the thread has turned negative at all - in fact it embraces the fact that there are loads more choices out there than perhaps we had first considered, and if those choices include things that are lower in price, or not something that might previously have been considered "suitable" for pear shaped ladies, then hopefully someone will get some benefit from whatever is posted. I know it has moved a little away from the 2 piece idea, but it doesn't diss it, just opens up options ?

When I got married first time round, I was still a pear shape, although I was only 8 stone 2lbs .....I was told I would have to have a "big skirt to hide my big bum".....so I ended up looking like Little Bo Peep (well, it was 1990). Being 3 stone above that now, my pear is a little plumper, and my first thought was that I would have to go down the same route. Initially I was daunted at having to go and look for another bo peep dress, which now I am in my 40s was making me come out in hives....

So, to discover that I had far more options open to me than I had anticipated made my dress hunting far more enjoyable! (thanks for saying it is stunning, by the way )

Perhaps seeking out a dressmaker might be a good idea, especially if two skirts are needed for an evening change?

No i didn't take offence at your comment Alisha. But thanks for asking.

I posted a load of dresses that look modern. I was trying to encourage the OP that her idea does not mean she'll end up with a style that cannot be done fashionably. She may find it difficult but it is possible!

I meant the 'cheap' in the sense that the dresses in the link are probably super expensive designer robes that mortals cannot afford. Having re-read the comment I see you might have thought that I was having a go at you rather than simply giving another perspective. I was trying to emphasis that perhaps the dresses in the link were the total opposite scale of the second hand ones you'd posted. I didn't mean to upset you.

I agree that a dressmaker would be a good idea. It's harder work than buying off the rack, but if you have a particular look in mind, it'll mean you can get exactly what you want. I think a short sleeved top and long flowing skirt could look great - more casual than a full on gown, but modern and stylish.

This is the sort of look I was thinking of:

Ooh! Thank you! love the shape of that skirt and would look great with the right top! Hadn't considered metallics, but that would be totally on trend and definitely weddingy enough!

Ooh! Thank you! love the shape of that skirt and would look great with the right top! Hadn't considered metallics, but that would be totally on trend and definitely weddingy enough!

Wow! Your dress is stunning and you look fabulous! I might try some bridal shops too (mostly just for fun!) but I didn't think they would have much for my tiny budget! Thanks for your advice and sharing your dress buying experience!

Thank you! That buzz feed article was the thing that made me LOVE the idea of separates! So different from the 90's version!

Oh gosh! I haven't got the hang of this forum! Tried to reply to specific posts but it hasn't worked!

Thank you everyone for your helpful responses and suggestions! This is such a great community!

I'll have a search for two-piece wedding dresses as well and see what that comes up with. I was thinking long skirt (maybe tulle and a bit puffy) and crop top (with just a tiny bit of middle on show!) for ceremony and then change into a shorter one (maybe the Coast one or similar?) for the reception so I can enjoy the dancing.

I'll let you know what I find, luckily I have ages to sort this out, so if all else fails I will try a dress maker!

Thanks again!

I am having separates made for me. it is actually going to be made in five pieces! shrug, top, outer skirt (sort of bustle like), underskirt and corset. im getting married in black and teal, and i wanted to be able to wear various parts of it again (for things like whitby goth festival). i know its a little different being a goth/ halloween wedding, but i knew straight off i wanted separate pieces. i fell deeply in love with the fabric i found and totally want to wear it again, i can justify the cost more if i know its not just for one day!

how about finding a bridesmaid outfit in this style for around £50 then take it too a good seamstress to have it modified and personalised to your exact taste? many seamstresses will have an embroidery machine, these can create gorgeous applique to be sewn on, add sparkles/ chrystals. it all may take some planning, but if this is what you are set on, it is certainly doable for your budget.

Thank you! Yes, i really like the idea of being able to wear the different pieces again too! Taking a dress/outfit in for alteration sounds like a good idea, and probably cheaper than having an outfit made from scratch, as I reckon that wouldn't be within my budget. I realise I sound overly concerned about money, but I just find it really difficult to justify it for something you only get to wear once! Plus I kind of like the challenge of bargain hunting!

Well according to RockMyWedding bridal separates are the height of cool so I think they must be making a come back! There were some lovely examples on the RMW site which looked stunning, much more modern than the traditional corset and skirt style. I think I would have considered something like these if I'd even realised it was an option!

https://www.rockmywedding.co.uk/2014-bridal-trends-we-love/

Good luck finding your perfect outfit!