I look hideous in wedding dresses

The bridal salons here (Taiwan) don't let you take pictures until you buy a dress. They're mostly located together in "bridal streets" so they try to keep their inventories private from each other to stay exclusive. They took pictures of me that I can apparently go back in to look over, but I know I didn't like anything enough for that to be worthwhile.

I did like the attitudes at a couple of places though. So I'll start there for return appointments.

The first time I tried on wedding gowns, I ended up sobbing in the fetal position for hours. What I thought would work didn't, so I shifted gears and found something that eventually worked. You will, too.

I thought I wanted a dress with a lot of lace, but I also didn't like how it looked on me. And I thought I really wanted long sleeves, but again, reality was not flattering. You'll find something! Just make sure you try on all different kinds of styles, because you never know what you might end up loving!

I did! I just kept trying different styles until I found one that flattered my shape. I also didn't turn down any dresses even if they looked hideous on the hanger- I still tried them on! I tried to remember that my FH would marry me in a potato sack.. and when I found the right gown, I definitely didn't feel like a potato any more. You will find it, promise!

Also, I would never purchase a gown from somewhere that didn't allow photos. It helps to see it from all angles and a different POV!

Too much Lace makes anybody looks Grandma & napkin-ish. Balloons make me look anorexic. And don't even get me started about pure white against my skin

I'm envisioning like this about as much as I like bathing suit shopping. Keep looking Xie, I'm sure you'll find something amazing! At least you know what styles you don't like?

Thanks guys! Good to know I'm not alone in this!

Daniella, I totally agree about the picture thing, but it's the local culture so I'll just have to work with it. I'm not too upset about it this time, because I know I'm not buying anything I tried.

I thought a ballgown would look good on me but each one I tried on looked AWFUL and lace was not particularly great either. My first visit to a dress store was basically me finding out what I DIDN'T want in a wedding dress. My next visit, I went in just to try on various styles and fabrics and that helped me see what looked best on me. I was able to find a dress after that!

My first time I felt like I was trying on prom dresses, but at 30 years old.

Hang in! Different styles, designers, and sizes are going to look very different on you. Daughter focused in on an A-line ballgown pretty quickly, but I swear she tried on dozens and each one looked so different on her -- some were awful, some were okay, and a couple were "pretty good, but not the one." Then, she finally, found the perfect dress (a Rebecca Ingram). Most of them fit the same basic description, but it was truly a case of the "devil was in the details" to find the right one. I had severe scoliosis (surgically corrected a few yrs ago), so I know all about the uneven hip issue. An A-line or ballgown will most likely camouflage the unevenness best. Also, on the bust issue, look for a dress with a lot of structure in the bodice (stays, clearly defined "cups", etc.). Daughter is a 36DD, and with some dresses she had the "spilling out the top" issue, but her dress is so perfectly structured that she is very well "contained" (and actually looks smaller on top than she really is). Keep looking and don't be discouraged. It really does help narrow the field to find what does not work for you!

First gown I tried on was an a line and it looked so bad on my body I looked like a golf tee. My mom was there and even she was like "um no."

Don't give up! Sounds like you just need to try some different styles. Remember there's nothing wrong with you!! This is why we try them on!

I'm plus sized. I initially wanted strapless but found them to be incredibly unflattering. Mermaid style actually looked good on me but I'm so short that the alterations would've been tricky.

Just try on several different styles. You will find your dress. I've never seen anyone not look absolutely beautiful in a wedding gown. Just have to find the right one for you

There was 1 dress I tried on that made my mom and FMIL bust out laughing. To be fair the dress was awful, but that made me feel fairly terrible.

You'll find something that makes you feel beautiful and confident!!

Absolutely, some dresses that I thought would be perfect made my overly large chest (34DD) stick out like a sore thumb! But there are so many fabrics and styles like satin and different colors can really change the whole look, so try tons of different colors (pinks, oyster, champange, etc.) and shapes (A-line is a great idea and trumpet is still form fitting, but looser from the hips down).

I ended up with a completely different style dress than I thought I wanted. I wanted a more champagne color instead of white because I never wear white and don't feel comfortable in it (my entire wardrobe is black). I also though I wanted a lace dress that was on the stiffer side so I wouldn't be worried about my weight and I didn't want rhinestones or anything like that.

I hated myself in all of that and ended up with a very white dress that is one layer of a silky fabric (soooo comfortable), and that has rhinestones and such on the sleeves and some of the bust.

I suggest trying on some things that are out of your comfort zone, you might surprise yourself. And you will definitely end up finding something so don't worry!

Do you *need* to go with a traditional gown? i ended up with a non-wedding dress because i felt like an alien in bigger dresses.