the fat bride

Oh Whysea! That's an awful thing to say about yourself! Are there other designers you could perhaps take a look at? I must admit I've never heard of the ones you've mentioned, (that doesn't mean a lot) but I'm sure there is someone/some dress out there that you will love, will fit in with your untraditional and will make you feel AMAZING! You seem to suggest you have a fairly large budget for a dress, perhaps you could have one made.

Chin up buttercup! It'll all be alright! You'll see! ?

Hi,

Im sorry to hear about your day, Big Hugs!!!!!

Have you tried a company called the couture company in Birmingham, they are bespoke company that will make your dress from scratch, and I'm sure it will would be up your street if you were looking at Vivien of Holloway dresses.

And also for the record you are not a fat bride you are a fabulous curveous bride!!!!

xxxxxx

Trust this old, fat bride who is also a size 20-22, when you find the right dress, you will feel beautiful, sexy and curvaceous, and you will look it! It's important to remember that your OH loves you just the way you are and he will think you look amazing if you walk up the aisle in a bin bag!! It may not be the dress you were hoping for or expecting, but it's out there somewhere. Keep looking and don't give up xxx

Oh sweetie, what a shame that you haven't had a great experience. Please don't forget that shops like VoH come up smaller than high street sizes. My best friend is a size 22 high street and her wedding dress was a size 28. Have a look at sonsie, although they are a lot more traditional.

For pictures, there is an icon that looks like a film reel, thats the one you want

Sophia Tolli dresses are great for curvy brides. Sonsie by Veromia are also nice but not as sparkly.

I dont know where you are based but Embrace bridal boutique has over 70 dresses in store that are all plus sized and by several designers. They are near Peterborough (deeping st james).

A smaller selection is at Heavenly bodies bridal in London.

As others have said these dresses are sooooo much smaller than high street sizes (why do they do that?) So don't beat yourself up.

Have you thought about having your dress made? If your looking for the 50's style as opposed to a traditional wedding dress you might find it much more cost effective and you can have exactly what you want.

If you tell us whereabouts you are based I'm sure someone will be able to recommend a dressmaker.

There WILL be a dress out there for you! One that will flatter your assets and make you feel amazing. I have no recommendations im afraid but don't give up! And remember the sizing can be really strange. Some makes I found were very small sizing, the designer I've gone for, enzoani, is very generous. Good luck x

Keep searching. I've just searched for plus size 50s wedding dresses and here are a couple of links:

First one is rock roll bride, a list of companies:

http://www.rocknrollbride.com/2011/07/wedding-fashion-for-plus-sized-brides/

Second is one of the companies on the list:

http://www.honeypieboutique.co.uk

Have a look at Lou Lou bridal. They do 50's style dresses and made to your size.

Oh bless you there's nothing worse than feeling upset about yourself particularly over something which should be a special experience.

have you considered perhaps talking to a local dress alterations lady maybe she will also make dresses... Save a fortune.

i don't know really those brands but they sound quite specialist have you wide d your choices?

havs you considered option of going to the wedding dress outlet think there's one I'm Bromley there's also one in Leicester.

Thanks everyone. I'm in Herts, close to London.

I'm scared of places like honeybee boutique because you can't try them on, or send them back!!

I've heard voh dresses are terrible for sizing as they work on 1950's sizes so there 16 is more like a 10.

Not sure what your budget is but if it's tea length you are after Joanne Fleming does amazing dresses.

Hope you find something that makes you feel amazing- there will be a dress out there!

Sorry to hear you have had an awful day.

Just wondering how long have you got until the big day? If your weight is making you unhappy then maybe focus on weight loss until the big day? I have found the threads on here helpful for weight loss and fitness motivation. Good luck finding a beautiful dress that you feel beautiful in x

Oh hen, i'm sorry you feel that way. I'm a size 16-18 and i can't wear VoH because they're such small fittings, so don't let one warped shop feel bad about yourself.

I've found a lovely tea length dress that makes me feel amazing, so your dress IS out there - etsy has some lovely ones on.
Also - have you looked at house of mooshki - i fell IN LOVE with there dresses, but couldn't justify spending more than £1000 (but less than the £2000 you mentioned)

Also, fairygothmother.co.uk has DELICIOUS tea length dresses from different designers at a range of prices.

i hope that helps a little, but seriously, if you don't want o lose weight, DON'T. Be yourself, take a deep breath and start the search again - it IS out there.

Thank you everyone for the messages of support and the dress suggestions, which I am about to google. I feel SO much better this morning. ❤️

Last night my lovely wife to be said all the right things. I know there's six months til we get married but I REALLY don't want to spend that time focused on losing weight; I do Slimming World, and I'm trying hard but I don't want it to be the entire focus of this year, you know?

I keep remembering all I ever wanted was a fun day where I get to marry my soulmate. It was never about the dress, I don't even know how I got swept up in it... I'll keep looking and if need be I'll wear an old pretty dress I already own

Just concentrate on this! You'll find a dress - never fear! But you're right, it's about a fun day with your soulmate!

Oh honey, I'm sorry you had a horrible time. I've had a horrible dress shop experience and I haven't even tried any on yet!

Could it be an option to maybe try some shape wear? Sometimes the right underwear can change how things fit!

Everything will work out, and you'll feel amazing on the day!

I'm based in Herts - my sister tried on some dresses in Clifford Burr (Ware) and they were very helpful and lovely. Not sure if they do the style you want but it was a great shop.

My first dress shopping experience was exactly like this - nothing would do up and I felt like a trussed up sausage, i could barely look at myself in the mirror. I was so dreading the second round, but of course had to find a dress ... on the second round, I found LOADS that made me feel amazing. There were at least 4 dresses that i was seriously considering (until I found THE dress!)

Pick yourself up, dust yourself off and keep going. It will be worth it when you find the one!

ETA: Oh .. I just noticed you're a two bride wedding. Best kind ?

Oh lovely don’t feel bad about yourself! Like everyone else has said the sizes do come up smaller!! I know how you feel though, for my brother’s wedding I got measured and came up a size 20 for my bridesmaid dress. As soon as I was out the shop I cried my eyes out. My best friend had to explain that they were different sizes so not my normal high street size.

Granted I didn’t like myself at that point so I lost a lot of weight very quickly (which I did end up putting back on and more as I didn’t know about healthy diets ect at that point.)

However now it’s my time to get married I’ve been able to find a dress that suits me, I was a 14-12 when I was measured but now I’m a 12-10 due to exercising so I know alterations will be needed. The dress I found was beautiful and flattered me in every area. Anyway long story short, there is a dress out there for you and you will find it and feel like the wonderful woman you are!

Dont feel disheartened by one shop!! Big hugs ladycakes!!

God, I hated wedding dress shopping! I was absolutely sold on a certain dress, and when I tried it on, I looked absolutely awful.

You are not alone, and you are not your dress size - either high street or wedding boutique. You will be beautiful on the day.