Plus Size Experience...

If you are planning on dropping 4-5 dress sizes, then it's probably best to wait until you have lost a bit more before you try on dresses. There's a limit as to how much dresses can be taken in before it starts to affect the structure, so you wouldn't want to buy a size 26 and have it reduced to a size 18, but neither do you want the pressure of buying a smaller size and then worrying that you won't fit into it by the wedding. Also, it's worth bearing in mind that what looks best on you is likely to change as you lose weight, especially if you don't lose it evenly all over - so a style which might look great on you now might not look so good when you are a smaller size, and styles which you might discount now might actually be the most flattering then.

I would wait another 3-4 months at least. When you start looking, it might be worth looking at shops which focus more on plus sizes, but you could also try ringing up a few 'standard' boutiques and asking how many larger sizes they have - their attitude on the phone should help you gauge how reassuring they are going to be in real life!

Sheque has some beautiful and affordable wedding dresses in plus sizes. They don't have a physical shop but they will post them to you to try on at home (ideally with friends around you and a bottle of fizz!).

Try www.sheque.co.uk

Hiya just putting my situation in as mine's a little similar to yours.

I'm usually a uk22 and was so so hesitant to go dress shopping because of my size and the dress options factor too. I read so many bad reviews and horror stories from bigger ladies but honestly please don't let it put you off, every experience is different. I steered clear of wed2be because of the reviews and I went to 2 bridal boutiques local to me. I was hesitant but they had loads and loads of bigger sizes stocked up, I stressed over nothing. The store I got my dress from (Ashleigh Richards Bridal) had to clip me in to quite a few of the dresses as they were quite a bit big on me (i was surprised). If need be I would just call up the store beforehand to check they had a variety of dresses in your size. I also was panelled into the ones that were too small but still loved the look of all of them on me.

What I will say is however I am also on a weight loss journey and have so far dropped a dress size and 2 stone. I have now purchased my dress which I LOVE but have been advised that it can only be taken in by up to around 2 sizes, so I am worried slightly about that if I lose a lot more weight. However i bought an off the rack dress which was quite cheap so it's not like i spent a lot and had it made to fit me.

I would deffo wait a little bit if you can but if your like me and was dying to get stuck in, just go for it and enjoy yourself.