Is it possible to do up a corset back on your own?

I would have thought it is technically possible (as in you could get it fully laced and tied) but I don't think it would be that tight and I don't know how neat it would be. Isn't there anyone who might be able to help you? Maybe even a willing volunteer from the hotel?

I did wonder about asking someone at the hotel but it's a bit of a risk as there's no way of knowing until we get to the point of getting dressed if someone will be available. I'm struggling to find a dress I can afford with sizing that fits me without a corset back.

I wear corsets fairly regularly. As long as you can put it on with it laced very loosely, then you can finish it off yourself (think like putting on shoes - they're laced when you put them on, then you tighten the laces once they're on your feet). It is easier if the laces are long. I tighten it as much as possible working down the back, then pull the laces towards the front - you can reach further towards the front rather than pulling out to the side. However, you will find that it takes a lot of practice to get them looking as neat as if they are done by someone else.

I'm a photographer and watch this process regularly! I'd say no, not for the first time on your wedding day!

You may find a member of hotel staff can help, your photographer can help too. But to be realistic you will need help.

In the unlikely event your wedding is in Nottinghamshire I'd happily help around here there's lots of ladies scattered around the country and one may just be located close to you who would help x

Thank you for the offer but we'll be in Gretna on our own. Same goes for the tog as I think we only get them for the ceremony and a short time after and don't find out who it is until much nearer the time if not on the day.

Im torn as I think a corseted dress will fit better as it will give allowance for a quite large difference between bust and waist but if I can't fasten it properly on my own then that's no good either.

For those experienced with lacing corsets, is a shorter one easier to lace?

I wouldn't have thought it would be that easy, especially if you are a little rushed/stressed/nervous on your wedding day. I'm pretty sure a seamstress can change the back say from a corset back to a zip, which might be an option for you? Worth asking to explore the option. Good luck x

I find the easiest corset to lace is one which ties in the middle. It also gives the best look. However, I don't think many dresses have that style - they all seem to either tie at the top or the bottom. You could pop to a lingerie shop like Ann Summers or Victoria's Secret, if there's one by you, and try on different types of corset to see how easy you find them to lace.

What about hiring a wedding dresser. I saw one advertising on fb the other day. Think she charged 50 oh and she was in Scotland so might me an option. Have a Google I'm sure she was called the wedding dresser.

My dress had a hidden corset inside then zipped up. No way could I have done it on my own even for it to be untidy as hidden. We took just two friends with us and she got me in my dress. Is that an option for you. Can you cover the front of the dress and let oh do the back up? Mind you I did manage to put a load of weight on after my final fitting so it had to be laced really tight. My only other suggestion is to adk local wedding dress shops close to where you marry if someone from there could just leave you up. They can o ly say no! Then just a quick taxi to gretna.

Hello

The laces for the corset on my dress were longer than the train. Also, when we were in the bridal shop the assistant showed my BMs how to do it up and tie the remaining ties out of sight. She stressed that the ribbons should be flat and be a feature of the dress. It took two of my BMs to strap me in on the day, whilst I held my dress up in the right position. I would definitely not have been able to do that on my own.

It wasn't particularly elaborate. This was how it looked

When I do corsets I put them on back to front, fasten them then deflate my body as much as possible and attempt to pull them round (which can be really hard) honestly its a pain in the ass and I often end up pulling or dislocating something ?

im boycotting the corset (and big skirts too) on my wedding day, its one day where I actually want to be comfortable and able to breath/sit/move/eat without constantly feeling constricted or having to try and let it out every half an hour or so, plus I personally think buttons are adorable ?

After witnessing literally 100s of corseted back wedding dresses being laced up I would say that it is almost impossible for you to do it successfully on your own. Mostly I see two people doing it up whilst the bride holds it in the right position, sometimes even hanging on the the door frame whilst it is tightened !

Some are designed with a wide lace that needs to be laid flat ( like the picture ) and without any twists which is not easy to do even from the back. Others are a thinner lace that does not matter so much. I have even seen a wedding dresser from the shop get it wrong.

Also bear in mind that a lot of zip dresses also have buttons with elastic loops that cover the zip which you also will not be able to do on your own, even from the back many times i have seen a bridesmaid get to the top and realize that they have missed a loop out.

Thanks for all the help everyone. I think I need to find a dress with a plain zip!

My dress had a hidden lace up corset inside then a zip and the buttons. I had a friend lace me up and zip then I didn't fasten the buttons. I left it to look like they were just for show and it looked fine. I was told by the shop that to do the buttons its easiest to use a crochet hook. If younger amzip back one don't worry if it had buttons you can't fasten just ignore them.

For goodness sake! Should have read.... If you find a back zip one don't worry if it has buttons!