Sooo anxious about the dress

Chill. If my size 26 butt found a dress, I'm sure you can.

Hey Colleen, congratulations first off! Welcome to WeddingWire. You have over a year until your wedding, so thankfully you do have a bit of time. My recommendation would be to go ahead and slowly try on dresses and see what styles you like. You don’t have to commit to anything yet, and in the end your fiancé loves you as you are. Everyone has different ideas of their ideal body type, and no one can tell you what to feel. You should try not to listen to that self doubt, but to try to love little things about yourself. I wish I could give you advice that helped immediately, but I don’t know what I could say! I do think you have more than enough time to look around though.

Also, I realized I read the date wrong lol. I see now you have 1-11-20, not 11-1-20 lol. You still have some time, I bought my dress straight off the rack and took it home that day. The only alterations needed was a bit of hemming, the bustle, and getting cups sewn in. It took 2 weeks only

I suggest you take a look online to see what you like and look at styles that you know flatter you. That way you know what you want to try on. Take with you only someone who you really trust and know that they have your best interest in mind.

I love what Jordan said - figure out what you like and try those on. Normally I tell people to be open minded about dress shopping but I know for others it can be an agonizing thing to clothes shop.
Also, what's something you like to wear? Be it a color or style, if you can find something like it in terms of the feeling of comfort then that'd be great. That way, you'll feel comfortable and be reminded of what you like.

I understand your anxiety completely. Everyone is different when it comes to how comfortable they are in their body. For the longest time I was uncomfortable even shopping for myself and the thought of having to try a dress and show people gave me anxiety.

First things first, don’t compare yourself. Go into dress shopping with that in mind. It’s not about what other brides are wearing and how they will look. Take a deep breath and just focus on your goal.

Go into the shop with people that make you feel comfortable and are non-judgemental. You need the right crew with you to make you feel at ease. Don’t take someone who you know will tear you apart.

Even better, try things on for yourself in the dressing room and if you feel confident in a dress show your crew.

You’ll be fine if you remind yourself that you have no one to impress or make happy but yourself. Find a dress that makes you forget about your insecurities and let’s you be as beautiful as you surely are.

Good luck! I wish you the best and happiest dress hunting!

I completely understand where you are coming from. I have always been self conscious about my size and clothes shopping isn’t my favorite. I had anxiety through the roof the day of my first appointment. I invited a few of my bridesmaids to come, along with my mom and mother in law and I ended up absolutely loving the process! I had the best group with me and everyone was honest but uplifting. Walking in, I was sure I would only find a dress that was ok but I felt INCREDIBLE in the one I ended up buying. The best advice I can give is to be open minded about styles (the girls at these stores know their stuff), bring people that will build you up, and give yourself credit, you are going to look great!

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Ahhhh, I know once I start it will get easier! And I'm happy you found a dress that you LOVE!

I know its not traditional, but I was thinking about bringing my fiance for the first appointment, he's truly my biggest cheerleader lol. Most of my close friends and family are either very passive or very opinionated.

You will find a dress you feel beautiful in as you are. Get shopping soon, a dress ordered today will take months to arrive... possibly November? Consider buying off the rack too if you go to a sample sale.

I was really anxious about trying on dresses, too. Like the thought of it made me that dizzy-anxious either pass out or puke feeling. Ugh. So I booked an appointment at a bridal shop on a weekday evening when they were the least busy, and only took my mom with me. Other than my fiance she's my biggest cheerleader and best friend, and just having her with me is calming and reassuring. I told the bridal consultant that it was the first time I'd ever even looked at dresses and was unsure of what I wanted or what I'd even look good in. I gave her a vague idea of what I thought I wanted (spoiler alert, I went in the totally opposite direction), and she brought dresses that I thought I'd like and what she thought would suit me. She also let my mom and I kind of look around in their stock too, to pick out options.

At first it was incredibly intimidating, but after the second dress or so it was just a lot of fun. It kind of reminded me of prom dress shopping lol. I didn't get a dress at that appointment, but when I went to my next one (and all of my bridesmaids came), I kind of knew what to expect and was much more comfortable. I ended up finding a dress that I absolutely adore, and that makes me feel beautiful. Sure, it's a strapless dress and I absolutely loathe the sight of my upper arms but you know what? No one is going to be paying attention to my fat arms on my wedding day. And if they are... well, as my iPhone would say "duck" 'em. You're your own worst critic and I can almost promise what you hate about yourself, other people don't even notice.

My advice is to not go into it with huge expectations, just have a totally open mind and try on different styles. What you love and think will look good, might not, and a style you swore you'd hate might end up looking amazing. Have fun with it and try to enjoy yourself! This is such a beautiful thing and you will be beautiful no matter what you choose. Something about the right dress is just pure magic.

As someone with body issues I understand. Go make a fun day out of it and try on styles with no pressure

i will say I am still surprised by the dress I picked it was nothing I ever thought I would fit in and look right

I have major body image issues at the moment, I feel you. Put on some Spanx (if that helps you feel better) and go in to start looking at dresses! You can lose weight over the next six months if you need to, but I'd start looking at dresses soon. Bring whoever makes you feel most comfortable, even if it's your FH!

Look at cocomelody! It takes 40 days and they custom size your dress to your body. They also allow you to change up the design, adding material, sleeves, beading, etc!

View Quoted Comment I took my fiancé to the first one and he really helped me see that what I thought I wanted, was far from what really looked good on me. Plus, it gave me insight to what he really liked and disliked. After that first appointment, I went twice with bridesmaids and finally found one that I love. He will be surprised as it takes some of his opinions and brings them to an entirely higher level! 💕