First wedding dress shopping trip coming up... Bit nervous!

Ey up!

I only started looking for a dress a few weeks ago and was so nervousI nearly walked right past the shop! (Bridesmaid shoved me through the door!)

I'm also a similar size but a 16 on the top and a 20 on the bottome, and only 5ft 3 so my original idea of a tea length dress hasn't proved to be that flattering on me so far. I asked the lady in the shop to pick my first one for me coz I was totally clueless when confronted with so many gowns! She obviously has dealt with brides of all sorts of sizes coz the first one she picked was soooo flattering, that even though it wasn't totally my style, I nearly bought it there are then!

With regards to hip and bum issues (see above for my totally disproportionate frame!) I'm finding that A line gowns with a lace up back are what I'm leaning to most.

I've just made sure I've got a good bra on and large pants since you do spend a lot of time standing in just that in front of total strangers!

It has also been boiling hot in all the shops I've been in so far so I recommend putting your hair up if it's long and taking a bit of unscented deodorant into the changing room with you.

I too intend to lose another couple of stone before the wedding so have been reluctant to put a deposit down. I've been advised not to leave it any later than January though (wedding 4th August) as it could be a bit of a rush getting it altered once it comes in. This might be just a sales pitch but it seems fairly sensible advice.

Let us know how you get on. And most importantly, don't stress like I did coz now I've gotten the first appointment out of the way I'm really enjoying it!

K x

Ah, thanks so much for your reply!

I'm the same, totally out of proportion! My hips and bum are bigger than my top half. I know what sort of style I like but I think I'll do like you did and ask the ladies advice! After all, they're the experts I suppose. But luckily I love a line and lace up backs so that sounds good! :o)

Thanks for the tips. I'm August 15th next year so a similar time scale to you. I wasn't sure when would be the latest time frame to order but by the beginning of the year sounds good.

I'll definitely come on here after I've been. I am excited!

Thanks again!

I was also nervous i went to one just to try on one i saw in the window and fell in love with - wasnt for me though!

If you get a choice to select say 4, i would go for 4 different styles even if you dont think they are you at all!

I wore white bra and knickers - i took the straps down and tucked them in when strappless.

also please do not worry about size = I think the dress i tried on was a size 18 and i am an 8/10 they tend to have bigger dresses and then can be fitted smaller.

lastly be open minded!!

Hi. Have a peep at our blog post:

First time visit to a bridal salon? Not sure how to prepare or what to take with you?

A few simple steps to help you get the most out of your visit and make it an enjoyable and rewarding experience.

Hope this helps.

Hi ladies,

Firstly please don't worry or get yourselves wound up about what to wear for your trips to the bridal shops. We really have seen ladies of all shapes and sizes, and being a shop that is exclusively 16+ it is vital for me that my ladies feel comfortable. Don't worry about a strapless bra as Im afraid that they don't always do a particularly good job and can actually interfere with the fit of the dress. Wear underwear that you are comfortable with, if its a pale colour then that is good but the colour is not going to make the slightest bit of difference to the fit of your dress. A lot of my ladies where leggings, which again make no difference to the fit of the dress. The gowns themselves should have a good deal of corsetry in them and many of them will have a built in bra. I know it probably sounds a ridiculous idea at the moment but you probably will not even have to wear a bra!

As far as styles and shapes go, A line is a winner on most figures but have you thought about a ball gown? They are starting to come back in big style and theres lots of lovely ones on the market. The fitted bodice, combined with a full skirt can hide a multitude of sins, covering hips and thighs that are a larger dress size than bust and waist. They are especially flattering if you have a comparatively narrow waist.

Go in with an open mind as they shop assistant will have a fairly good idea of what will suit you and although she may suggest things that you would never dream of trying it really is an eye opener to see how different styles and shapes can look.

Hiya,

I posted about this not long ago as I was feeling the same. I was meant to be going shopping last weekend but my sons been really poorly so I didn't make it.

i was feeling the same though, was given great advice and I think I'll wear those big knickers that come down to your knees and up above waist height.

I'm worried about my weight and also my flabby belly. Cellulite bum, muffin top, stretch marks & over all wobbly bits.

its true though that its nothing they won't have seen before so I'm hoping after the first dress ill feel more comfortable and the nerves will go.

And as soon as you're in the dresses you like you'll forget any insecurities and I sure will look amazing! Try & look forward to it & wear whatever you're comfortable in x

I wore leggings to every bridal shop I went into. I don't feel comfortable being seen in my pants!

Another tip is, be open to the dresses that the assistant picks out for you. Because the dress I ended up going for was chosen by the assistant and I wouldn't have picked it out myself. I'm now glad I went into that shop and had that assistant because I love my dress.