Dress

Do you feel you have a choice in what you wear? Sometimes its a matter of being self-conscious about what you wear. If that is the case, just be a bit bolder. There are some other options to a dress. One option is a wedding jumpsuit -- even skirted ones. One bride is having a custom jumpsuit made for her. Hopefully you can find a balance between your preferences and possibly the conventions of wedding ceremonies you may be trying to follow.

I would suggest keeping an open mind! It may be helpful going to a boutique or 2 by yourself, so you don’t feel the pressure of anyone else’s opinions. Pick out any dress that catches your eye, and have the dress consultant pull some for you also- they have seen them all and know how they fit on different body types! I would definitely suggest trying on all kinds of silhouettes. And there are also alternatives to wedding dresses! You could wear a nontraditional color of dress, if it makes you feel more comfortable. There are also bridal pantsuits and separates (ie, bridal skirts & tops).

There are a lot of cute alternatives to the traditional big white wedding dress! I’ve seen some amazing jumpsuits, and there’s also a big difference in how different dresses feel — some are massive and poufy, others have a natural flow. I’d suggest going to a bridal boutique, something a step above David’s Bridal, where you have someone you can explain your preferences to. I thought I’d really struggle finding a dress I liked, but my consultant really listened to my taste and why I did or didn’t like certain things and I found something amazing.

I’ve seen really cute pantsuits also, some clearly intended for fancy events! Also I have a good friend who hates dressing up and just wore a casual sundress and flip flops to get married on the beach. Idk if you have your venue yet but anything in nature is a great bet bc the atmosphere is not as dressy

What about separates? That way you can mix & match styles and even colors. You could create the perfect unique look for YOU.

Or a pant suit with a skirt overlay?

I hope you are not overly controlled by expectations of people around you and that you are not inclined to skip it all. It seems generally nice when you can have family and friends celebrate. If you need to avoid certain things like a wedding dress or, as someone brought up earlier, a walk down the aisle, then adjust those events to be more comfortable -- like, for the latter, just entering from the side door to the wedding ceremony. On the other hand, this is just a short moment of time in one's life and can be bearable.

There also is the situation of a bride trying to get the groom out of jeans into a suit. Most people can do something outside of their comfort range now and then.

View Quoted Comment Thank you..love that idea

View Quoted Comment You’re welcome, Karen! You can have a lot of creative fun with a mix & match approach (a few bridal shops might offer separates. Call to find out or stop by. I would set up an appointment and try on some bridal gowns anyway, you might be surprised. I ended up buying a bridal skirt & top—at two different shops—after being frustrated with regular wedding dresses. I’m so glad I went shopping with an open mind!). There are plenty of online retail stores where you could get your skirt/top from too. Have fun!

Lots of women fee like that. If you are not in a dress, don’t wear one to please an unseen entity whose opinion doesn’t matter at your wedding. That is why so many designers make pant suits and jumpsuits and similar styles that do not resemble dresses at all. Wear what you feel comfortable in, even if that means talking to a local seamstress to create your own style.