Trying wedding dresses when you are a bigger size- aaargh!!

I feel your pain, I'm a size 18-20 as well and it scared the ever living out of me to go dress shopping for the same reason for you mentioned. I found a great shop in West Yorkshire ( Wakefield) called Amazing Brides which specifically caters to slightly larger than average brides. It was the only dress shop I needed to visit because all the dresses were my size! They were so nice there and even made me feel positive about my size! They do take 9-12 month sto make the dresses though, so get it done early if you can't wait long or you can buy off the rack. All their dresses are between 750 - 1000 in price, so pretty reasonable as far as dress prices are concerned.

I know you would have to travel a long way, but it would be well worth it! Hope that helps.

XxAsh

HI,

I had exactly the same issues as you and hated what should have been one of the best moments of my life. I ran out of the second shop in tears because they kept trying to cram me into size 12 samples.

So I found an amazing dressmaker and I'm getting exactly what I want in the correct size and the whole experience has been fantastic.

Try googling plus size wedding shops and see what is near you. You are on the cusp of a normal wedding shop and a plus size one but try it as they will have lots of dresses that will be WAY to big for you but it means you can try on some other options.

Good luck and don't get downhearted

XX

I know it is hard to cater for everyone - I went with my sister last week who is also getting married next year. She is a size 6 and not a single place had anything that didn't drown her. I've also been put into dresses that are a size 22/24 that have looked just as bad as the ones that are too small, because they are way too big, so I guess I just have to keep looking!

The two pics below are the two on my shortlist - quite different to each other but have both looked lovely on. The lace dress suprised me as it is very fitted, but the lady in the shop said it really suited my curves as I am well proportioned?! It was customised by the lady in the shop too - she took away the bow and added a sparkly ribbon type belt instead - think I'm going to go back and try that one again when I pluck up the energy!

First of all DONT STRESS!

Im a size 16 was a 20 when I started looking for dresses. The assistance have seen all different shapes and sizes and they will make you feel so relaxed.

I was so scared that I was shaking as I didnt want to strip to my undies, but the ladies in the sop were amazing and completly understood. But to be honest, by the third dress I didnt care as they made me feel so relaxed and good about my self.

I ended up buying my dress from them and I am going for my first dress fitting on wednesday.

Speak to the shop and tell them how you feel. If they are akward to you dont visit them. Their lose not yours.

Dress shopping is meant to be fun, so if its not fun walk out and go somewhere else xxxx

I went to a place called the Wedding Warehouse near Ascot-not sure how far that will b from you- but you don't need an appointment and they had lots of dresses in all different sizes. You don't have to strip off in front of them,you can go in and put it on and they will do it up for you. Please don't worry- I am a 14 after having lost 2 stone so still feel self concious but at no point was I standing there with my wobbly bits on show .

I'm a size 18 going on 16 and I go for my first dress fitting appointment on 13th Oct. I'm also a bit worried about this but when I booked the appointments, I explained to the ladies in the shops what size I was and they were so lovely and helpful. I'm just going to keep my fingers crossed that something looks good!

Are you in the Midlands? If so, there is an excellent plus size bridal shop in the village of Dunchurch just near Rugby called Amore Plus. Here is their website: http://www.amoreplus.co.uk/ They go from a size 16 upwards so I'm going to have a session there at some point.

Good luck x x

Oh god, yes!!

Every time I go to a bridal store I leave feeling so ugly and huge when I'm only a 16. Hardly massive!

It's gotten to the point where I'm just not looking forward to buying a dress on any level. The stores I've found that DO stock bigger sizes all expect a bigger size to be fat and want to hide all curves. I don't wish to hide anything so putting me in a cake dress makes me feel even worse.

This was one of the first dresses I tried on and I still think I look lovely. Everyone I've spoken to says it doesn't suit me or I look too big or it doesn't "compliment" me, but frankly the only thing I see that's unflattering is about 2 inches of stomach which I'm planning to lose by my wedding anyway!!

It's infuriating and upsetting.

I really hope you all have better luck than I do.

What on earth are they talking about?? I think you look great in this dress! You look thinner than a size 16 - they must be blind. If you like it, ignore everyone else and go with your heart.

This!!!! I cant believe people are saying that to you! I'm a 10/12 and tried on a dress like that and i didnt look anywhere near as good as you do!! You look great it really suits you and you have a lovely figure and if i was you i would be wearing that dress and showing off those curves!

Ooo I've ordered my frock from Cutting Edge Brides - the lady I saw was so lovely and I'm no skinny minny....

Try searching for plus size bride shops on t'internet and I think you'll be pleasantly surprised - there's another one called Embrace (near P'Boro) I believe. They have some lovely frocks.

The shop ladies have seen it all - and, if they are worth their salt, should only be interested in making your look your best...

Hi, I had a similar experience to what you are having and can really understand your frustrations. I had a mixed experience personally, I went to 5 shops in all and I'd say 2 out of the 5 were awful - they didn't pin me in the dress properly my underwear was hanging out everywhere and it was mortifying. Although on the flip side I also visited shops that were amazing. I am in a similar area to you and can recommend White Dresses and Tiara's in Crawley, Isabella Grace in Tunbridge Wells (I bought mine here) and whilst I didn't find 'the' dress here a trip to leonie Clare bridal boutique in hove is well worth it they are fantastic. The girls there do an amazing job, the girl who I saw there Dela was wonderful. She pinned me into dresses that were 2 sizes too small perfectly so I could see how it would fit. Hope this helps As for the Sophia Tolli dress this was in my final few dresses and when it fits it looks stunning. The rouching at the waist is gorg x

Thanks for the tips - I work in Crawley so will definitely give that one a go.

So I got my dress! Ended up back at the first shop and have gone for mori lee 3126. Love it and the shop staff are so lovely as well. Very excited!

im so glad i read this!!! i live in normanton and have been dreading trying dresses on, my mum lives near amazing brides and they always have gorgeous dresses in the window when i drive past! however someone had told me a story about how they mixed up some dresses so it kind of put me off them but i am def going to give them a try after reading this. i went in to another store in wakefield and they were horrible to me and not helpful at all.. thanks for mentioning amazing! do you know which designers they use? ive looked on website but it doesnt mention any

Hi there - I'm afraid I havent had chance to read through all the posts on this so apologies if I am repeating someone else's advice but my friend runs Embrace Bridal Boutique in Peterborough (I appreciate this location may not suit everyone) but I am sure she would welcome girls with natures curves (like me ?) with open arms as she specialises in brides with curves.

Her website is here http://www.embracebridalboutique.co.uk/ and I am pretty sure she is a member on here too.

Hope this helps x

Hi

My daughter had this issue but there are some shops out there that were more encouraging. However she opted to have hers made by a lovely dressmaker in Norwich, called Love Couture and it looked fantastic, and fitted so well. It cost the same as a mid priced offf the peg one but was made to her own design. And it was red and black and looked stunning!

Worth travelling for if you live a way away from there!

Hope this helps

lynne