Wedding Dress Shopping

Thank you Melissa. I have a dress in mind that I know I’d love as a size 12 but know it wouldn’t suit me now. My friend said when she got married she had a dress in mind but ended up buying something completely different so I’ll take your advice and just go and have a look around to get some ideas and probably change my mind.

I wouldn't put it off too long. Off the rack limits your options and the shops you look in might not have what you want.
To order you need to look a year before. Dresses can be sized down, if you loose weight. Just to give you an idea, I'm getting married in 5 weeks. I said yes to my dress in May last year, it arrived in November and it went to the seamstress in January. I picked it up from the seamstress last week. She downsized it by 5 inches at my waist because I'd lost weight from when I ordered it initially in May 2022.
A few things to consider is that you will need a seamstress, rarely dresses don't need alterations. Most seamstress won't allow you to book until you've collected the dress. Also if you book in less than 8 weeks until your date it will be a rush job and the cost will be more. So just factor that in for when you decide to dress shop.You will need alterations any way so if you get a dress that's bigger and you loose weight you can get it taken in. Also I just wanna say as a plus size, I never have felt my options were limited when I went shopping. I tried on so many dresses before I picked my one and I had the best experience. Now I've had the alterations, I love my dress even more because it fits me exactly.
Good luck with dress shopping and enjoy it. Its an amazing experience 😊

View quoted message Thank you Kirsty and thank you for the advice. Doesn’t hurt to start looking around now.

I am in the same position as you Lynda. I am getting married in September next year and looking to lose some weight before then. Not a lot; I have crept up to a 16 from 14, and would like to get back to a 12-14.

As the others have said, no harm in looking and finding a store that can offer options that suit your style. I think you need 8 months to order a new dress, so you will be halfway through your weight loss journey by then

Good luck!

View quoted message Thank you Katie, I think I will have a look and look to buy late in the year, same as you.
Good luck with your weight loss too 😊

Hi Lynda what makes you not wAnt the dress now that you like if they have that dress in would you try it on in the size you are to give you an idea or wait to lose it then try it on you have so many options no matter what size you are you might change your mind x♥️

View quoted message Yes, I need to be more open minded. Just need to get out there and take a look at what’s on offer. Thank you x

View quoted message You will find the one just enjoy your planning and don't rush yourself to lose the weight here to help x ♥️ were was you thinking of looking x

View quoted message Yes absolutely. I’ll look around Suffolk and Cambridgeshire. I’ve got some very honest friends coming with me so I know they won’t let me down x

View quoted message That's what you need people who are honest I don't speak toy friends or family due to my wedding plans ordered on line instead just remember you will find your dream dress x♥️

View quoted message Yes, I will eventually. Good luck with your wedding plans too x

View quoted message Good luck x ♥️

Thank you 😘

I’ve just ordered my dress for May 2024 they’ve taken my measurements but said the designer I’ve gone with likes to have the final measurements 8/9 months before so I’ll be going again in august. Which I can hopefully loose a bit of weight for. I would suggest just going to try some dresses on as things you think you like you might not when you try them. Also as others have said they can be taken in up to 2 dress sizes.

View quoted message Thanks, yes I’m going to have a look over the next few months to get an idea of what I like and get it adjusted as necessary when I find the one.

That is really great!

I’d say 8 months at very least to allow you to get a dress. Remember, you will need to fit the one too which may take some time. You may be limited by choice leaving it so late but I understand why you wish to x

I've got the same dilemma beaut. I've lost 3 stone since January, but planning to lose a lot more before our wedding


I'm not sure what to do regarding dresses x

View quoted message Well done, I’ve lost 1.5 stone now with 2 stone to go to target.
I’m going dress shopping this Friday. I’m currently a 14-16 so will probably get the size I am now.
It’s easier to take in than let out x

A lot of places normally say 12-8 months as a minimum. I don’t know where you’re based but if you went to a place like Wed2Be you’d be pretty fine getting one last minute, just obviously need to factor in alterations x

View quoted message Thanks Sarah, I’ve now bought my dress at the size I am now. I’m a size 16 but the dress that fitted me was a 20. Apparently I’m 2 sizes bigger in a wedding dress due to the corset in the one I’ve chosen but hoping I’ll get down a size and then I get free alterations at the shop where I bought it.

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Glad you've found your perfect dress! I think you are very sensible to buy for the size you are now - the last thing you need in the runup to your wedding is pressure to lose more weight to fit into a too small dress, and by buying to your current size, you have the option of getting it taken in if you do drop down a bit further. And congratulations on the weight loss - that's a huge achievement!

View quoted message Thank you so much, I totally agree. Taking in a dress is definitely a lot easier than letting it out.

View quoted message Awesome well done, you're doing great too 😁 had a shock this week, been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes 🥺 But I've got the medication i need, so gonna keep doing what I'm doing. I've got a target, but I might change it as I get nearer to reaching it. I'd love to be a 12/14


That's true, can't wait to start trying on dresses x

View quoted message Oh no, that is a shock but great you’re on the right track. We can only do our best.
Good idea to get a dress in the size you are now as most dresses can be taken in 2 sizes. Good luck with finding your dream dress x

Since you’re aiming to hit your goal weight by Christmas, you can hold off on buying the off-the-rack dress until January or early February. That gives you a solid three to four months for alterations—taking in seams, tweaking hemlines, whatever you need—to get it perfect for your May wedding. No rush at all.

I’m sorry but this is a thread from 2023 - my wedding was in May 2024

View quoted message I’m sorry but this was a thread from 2023 - my wedding was in May 2024