MagicMum.com

I've 3 kids with DP and that's my excuse for feeling too self-concious to go 100% bridal - in all honesty I think I'd still have felt weird in a bridal gown when I was childless and in my 20s- and I'm wondering what the other options are. I don't want to look like mutton dressed as lamb but I don't want to look frumpy either.

Can anyone make any suggestions? would love ideas from others who have walked down the aisle at 40+ with kids.

I saw a gorgeous dress in a magazine a few years ago, I thought that if I were ever to get married I would love a dress like it as it definitely suited a more mature bride.
It was a very simple dress in plain white (or off white/ivory) silk, and (as far as I remember) with a blouse-style top (3/4 length sleeves, a collar I think, and a cross over front) and the skirt part was a wide flared skirt that went to below the knees or mid calf. It was slightly '50's looking, but very elegant & simple & extremely flattering.

I think that as you get older most peoples upper arms aren't that fabulous, so the sleeves were a good idea, and the shape wsa extremely flattering to any mummy tummy.

_________________


SIGN MY PETITION FOR BETTER BOYS CLOTHES BELOW....Please!!
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/153/peti ... et-outlets

Sounds lovely. Pity you didn't get it and you could sell it to me now! Not too worried about the upper arms - they aren't my worst feature - and the fact that the wedding will be in December means I'll probably get a faux fur shruggie/jackety/capey thing as I hate being cold and I'm not going to freeze in the Church for any dress.
I'm thinking I should really go champagne for the colour - silly, I know but I'm genuinely concerned about the attitude of 'who does she think she is wearing white/ivory' which is something I fear happens for brides wearing those colours but not over40's in general wearing them. However I'm also concerned that champagne would make me look ancient.
Definitely looking for a dress that I can wear again - either to a black tie do or a some other sort of fancy party. I'm thinking already that I'll change into a little white cocktail dress for the evening do - tried one on at the weekend - just 40 euro and very cute. Only 20 people going to the main event and then about 100 to the night time party so not too many will actually see the 'bridal' gown.

HI there. Alot of bridal dresses come in a variety of colours. Kate Middleton had a bridal dress on her the other day in green that would normally be sold in Ivory. My friend had a champagne colour and it was beautiful on her. I am nearly 34 and getting married in June. I have 3 children also..I am wearing an ivory wedding dress...straight with a little kick and a trail...Your never to old to wear a wedding dress..try some on...
Another option is to try on some bridesmaid dresses..these also can be ordered in Ivory, champagne as well...alot cheaper and still stunning. I would say dont knock it till you try it.....
Just pulled up a few websites for you to look at the dresses...they have them in lots of different colours so think outside the box...

http://www.morilee.com/bridesmaids/bridesmaids

These are bridesmaid dress...but in Ivory..looks like a wedding dress. http://www.dessy.com/bridesmaid-dresses ... olor=ivory
P.s. dont worry what other people think...they are not relevant!!

Monsoon do some nice bridal dresses.

_________________
SuzyQ

Yeah I'll be keeping my eye on Monsoon. Tried one on at the weekend - but it was in a terrible state - very, very badly shop worn. Reduced from about 350 sterling to 115 euro but TBH not worth 50 euro the condition it was in. A shame because it was pretty gorgeous.

Some fab dresses here, my friend both the Elizabeth and it really is fab on, much nicer than on the website

http://www.phase-eight.co.uk/fcp/catego ... lters=true

My neighbour got married recently and she has 4 kids and she looked stunning. She bought her dress that she wore at the blessing (they actually got married in Las Vegas, Elvis-Style ) in Debenhams and then she bought a shorter white dress in a different shop, less formal type of dress. Both were a huge hit!


Anyway, getting back to the point I was going to make - irrespective of whether you've had 4 kids or no kids, make your wedding day completely special by wearing whatever you want to wear. If you want to wear a full skirted dress, then wear one, if you're more into a straight style/evening dress in ivory or whatever colour, wear that. Just have a ball!!!!!

I've read 100's of threads saying that when the woman went into the bridal shop, she tried on a dress that she wouldn't have thought about before and it became the dress for her, so don't be put off by how full a dress may be or how a dress looks in a picture. It's how it feels when you put it on is the crucial test.

Here are some really pretty dresses that may be just what you're looking for:

http://www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/sto ... %7EDresses

I know this one is light pink in colour (can't really tell from the picture) but it looks so comfortable to wear)
http://www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/sto ... %7EDresses

http://www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/sto ... %7EDresses

http://www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/sto ... %7EDresses

Coast have some beautiful dresses:
http://www.coast-stores.com/Bridal/pack ... lters=true

I have to say I adore the dresses WD2005, WD800 & WD802 on this site:
http://www.tracybridal.com/COLLECTIONS/ ... esses.html

Would you consider hiring a dress? I know some people who have used Covet and found it brilliant.

My mam is 56 and is getting married for the second time on Friday.

She is wearing this dress in ivory and it is gorgeous on her. I have three sisters and we all went with her to pick her dress. As soon as we saw this on her we told her not to bother trying on anything else. It is very bridal.

http://www.bridalwave.tv/2009/09/ebay_w ... dr_11.html

I wouldn't let your age or the number of kids you have put you off.

I would absolutely agree that you shouldn't let age or children or anyone making remarks influence your decision about what to wear.

Wear what makes you feel absolutely fabulous that you love and will remember.

My mother, who is 50 years married this summer, still regrets being persuaded by her SIL to be that she couldn't wear a long dress because her husband to be wasn't wearing a morning suit. She looked fabulous in a knee length dress but would have loved a long one.

Life is too short for regrets so choose what will make you happy.

Enjoy the wedding .

_________________

My friend got married in her forties with two kids. She set out to buy a so-called 'suitable' dress but ended up trying on a bridal gown and when she got that on there was no taking it off her! She was so beautiful on her wedding day. If there is anyone who would have the badness to think anything other than that you look gorgeous, well simples, don't invite them! That's another advantage of being older- you can be more confident about pleasing yourself rather than pleasing others!

Meant to say that my mam hadn't planned on a bridal gown, in fact prior to going to the shop hadn't even looked at bridal gowns but when she got there the lady said that this dress would really suit her. My mam would never dream in a million years of trying the type of dress she got but when she was convinced to put it on it was perfect.

http://www.twobirdsbridesmaid.co.uk/dress/classic

These dresses are slightly different. They come in four length s and loads of colors (including limited edition CHAMPAGNE). You can tie them loads of different ways - I had one at my sisters wedding and they were stunning. You can accesorise with broaches or flowers...
Good luck - enjoy the planning and have a great day!

_________________

coogee, i've been looking on lightinthebox.com the last while. they have fabulous stuff, but a word of warning, you will need a big cup of tea and plenty of time to browse!!

Thanks girls for all the suggestions.

I actually had my eye on a gorgeous one on the Debenham site but it's gone.

I'm going to leave serious dress shopping till September - when there will be winter ranges available - as I'm getting married on December 28th.

Hopefully as well I might have saved a little more so I don't have to limit my choices.

Coasts?

Love this:
http://www.coast-stores.com/CORA-LACE-M ... 2213147106

Or this for a short, less traditional dress:
http://www.coast-stores.com/HARTLEY-DUC ... 2143417806

_________________
"You must be the change you wish to see in the world" - Gandhi

My two beautiful boys are 4
2 angel mc 13/04/12 and 20/11/12

Some nice dresses on Monsoon site

http://www.monsoon.co.uk/cadogan-bridal ... /15335241/
http://www.monsoon.co.uk/etienne-bridal ... /15328441/
http://www.monsoon.co.uk/hardy-silver-t ... /15314641/
http://www.monsoon.co.uk/bridal-dresses ... /85343241/

Ah, you'll be a Christmas/New Year bride - how fabulous!!!

Here are a few more suggestions (picture the bride in the photo wearing a lovely shrug to keep her warm)
http://www.amandawyatt.com/classical-elegance/levi
http://www.amandawyatt.com/signature/ginger
http://www.amandawyatt.com/wow/austria
http://www.amandawyatt.com/wow/maldives
http://www.amandawyatt.com/wow/seychelles
http://www.amandawyatt.com/drama-queen/2180

http://www.dessy.com/dresses/wedding/1019/