The Wearing My Wedding Dress Challenge

#iwillwearwhatilike | The Wearing My Wedding Dress challenge

It’s finally time for Wearing My Wedding Dress!

In September I set a challenge for everyone who wanted to participate in today’s #iwillwearwhatilike link up to wear their wedding dresses/outfits and share them here. You only need to know four things:

  1. The theme as always is optional – link up any outfits you like
  2. If you don’t have your wedding dress any more or you only got married just recently, it’s fine to link up any photos from your wedding day
  3. Bridesmaids dresses count if you’ve never been married
  4. It’s all just a bit of fun… Remember, no rules as such! Interpret it however you wish 🙂

I decided to share a few photos from my wedding day as well as wear the main part of my outfit for today’s challenge so you can see how I styled it on the day. I didn’t actually wear a red check shirt on my wedding day(!) – I just thought it’d be more fun to team something completely unexpected with the faux fur coat. To be honest I couldn’t find the top I wore on the day in time for the photo shoot, nor the shoes, so that swayed me as well to switch it up a bit.

My thoughts about what I wore? Looking back at the photos I still love the outfit, but it just doesn’t look right being worn now… I’m not sure what it is, I think it’s the length of the coat. I think the texture is lovely and of course I’ve worn the trousers many times since, but I think I’ll just look after and hold onto the coat for sentimental reasons. Though our 10-year anniversary is in January so maybe I’ll wear the coat for whatever we decide to do to celebrate… We’ll have to see!

I can’t wait to see you in your wedding dresses, bridesmaids dresses or whatever else you link up – have fun with it! Scroll down for all the details 🙂

Tell me: What do you think about your wedding dress now? If you married a while ago have you tried it on recently, and if so what did you think? Let me know in the comments!

White teddy bear fur coat, wide leg trousers | #WearingMyWeddingDress
White teddy bear fur coat, wide leg trousers | #WearingMyWeddingDress
White teddy bear fur coat
My wedding | Not Dressed As Lamb

Coat: JFW at John Lewis | Shrug: Unknown, I’d cut the label out | Top: Oasis | Trousers: Coast (all bought in the January sales) | Bag: Debenhams | Shoes: Unknown (I already owned them) | Brooch: My something borrowed

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79 Comments

  1. 16 November 2015 / 10:56 am

    This is such a great idea! You look lovely both then and now! I would definitel struggle to get in mine now I think and we only married 6 years ago! #BrilliantBlogPosts

  2. 13 November 2015 / 11:43 am

    What an interesting idea! My wedding dress is hanging in the loft all sad and forgotten, maybe i will get it down and have a try on! #brilliantblogposts

    • 13 November 2015 / 5:27 pm

      Why not, Jodie – you've now got an excuse to do it!! x

  3. 13 November 2015 / 1:28 am

    This has taken me waaaaaay to long to comment! But, does it count that I've been thinking about it all week!? It's Friday, and I don't know where the week has gone!

    Regardless, this outfit! It is so utterly chic! What a beautiful bride! I love everything about it. And the length of the coat right now in 2015–it's still perfect in my eyes.

    My wedding dress is packed up in a special vacuum box or something in storage–back in the States. Maybe next summer when I'm home though I should pull it out. Oh, I do love my wedding dress!

    Alternatively I just linked up two recent posts on my blog–one in all black, hardly bridal but then if you see Dawn Lucy from Fashion Should Be Fun, you'll see she got married in an LBD–and she looked amazing.

    I love this idea that you have encouraged. You seriously are the master at getting us all involved and in AWE of each other. Thank you!!

    I can't believe it's almost Monday!!

    Big HUG! Ann from Kremb de la Kremb

    • 13 November 2015 / 5:26 pm

      Haha I don't know where the week has gone either, Ann! And yes, it'd be great to see you in your wedding dress – you've now got a good excuse to try it on again!

      And thank you, it's my pleasure to bring all these lovely ladies together… Warm fuzzy feelings, eh?!! MUAH lots of love x

  4. 12 November 2015 / 7:37 am

    Aww this is lovely, you looked stunning then and now. I was pregnant when I married so I had a really simple dress. I will have to try it on sometime just to see, it's kind of just hung in the cupboard. Great challenge and amazing outfit #brilliantblogposts

  5. 11 November 2015 / 3:02 pm

    Oh what a beautiful coat – I think you should wear it now – why don't you try putting it on over black pants and a black top – am sure it would look awesome!

    Yvonne from http://www.funkyforty.com

    • 13 November 2015 / 5:24 pm

      So many people have said that I should Yvonne, maybe I will…!! Thank you my lovely x

  6. 11 November 2015 / 2:19 pm

    I love the fact that you wore such a different outfit to your wedding! Such a fun challenge

    Anna // Happy Medley

  7. 11 November 2015 / 1:30 pm

    This was such a fun challenge. Sadly, I didn't manage to wear my wedding dress for the challenge. I wore a non-traditional dress, but it's way too big now, and I would have had to get creative, which I didn't…

    I really like the coat and seeing photos of your wedding day & now!

    • 13 November 2015 / 5:23 pm

      How about a few big clips like they use on Say Yes to the Dress, Andrea…?!!! hehe not to worry, I knew it might be a difficult one for some people, but it's lovely that so many rose to the challenge! Thank you sweetie x

  8. 11 November 2015 / 9:03 am

    So beautiful Catherine, and I love the coat. I dont see why your not sure about the length. Thank you for hosting this fun challenge
    Laurie x

    • 13 November 2015 / 5:22 pm

      I think it just might be with the same trousers, Laurie – it might look better with a much slimmer style! But thank you x

  9. 10 November 2015 / 11:08 pm

    Funny, I was just trying on my wedding dress yesterday to see if there is something that I can do with it. I got married in 2009, and the thing is still hanging on the back of the door in my dressing room. I know, right?

    http://www.highlandfashionista.com

    • 13 November 2015 / 5:21 pm

      It's a dilemma, isn't it Kristin? I'm not usually sentimental about clothes but I can't bear to part with the coat… yet it takes up so much room!!! x

  10. 10 November 2015 / 7:58 pm

    Catherine, loved this weeks challenge, it just hits a cord with me. I agree with many of the others, your non-traditional wedding attire is remarkable and every so stylish on you. Amazing how some of our styles and love for a certain fashion never leave us. I also enjoyed seeing the pure joy and happiness from your wedding photos. I linked a post I did a few years ago which tells how each year on my anniversary, which is on Dec. 3rd, I put my wedding dress on. I still love everything this dress represents, but especially the man and life I've enjoyed now for 29 years.

    • 13 November 2015 / 5:20 pm

      I've seen the post, Trina – and you still look incredible in your dress!! Thank you for your kind words, it's nice that the lovely day we had comes through in the photos :))

  11. 10 November 2015 / 6:25 pm

    Wonderful to see your wedding photos. I love the photo of your gorgeous hair draped over your coat. Thanks so much for hosting!

    • 13 November 2015 / 5:19 pm

      My pleasure Judith! And thank you – I'm amazed at how different the colour of my hair now compared to then… I didn't think it was SO red in comparison now!!

  12. 10 November 2015 / 2:57 pm

    I love your white coat! I would love to have one like that, and I think you might find you'll wear it again, so definitely hold on to it! I forgot to try on my wedding dress, maybe I will do it this week if I get a chance. 🙂

    • 13 November 2015 / 5:18 pm

      Thanks Laurie, and yes if you get a chance to wear it do link up!! x

  13. 10 November 2015 / 2:18 pm

    I am so crazy for your non-traditional wedding outfit – and you two are quite the stunning couple! Thanks for hosting – only my belt and shoes are leather today : >

    Patti
    http://notdeadyetstyle.com

    • 13 November 2015 / 5:17 pm

      Patti MUAH thank you – and don't forget leather/suede is next week's theme, so you're ahead of the game…!!

  14. 10 November 2015 / 1:03 pm

    Beautiful 🙂

    • 13 November 2015 / 5:16 pm

      Aww Irene it's my pleasure, thank you! x

  15. 10 November 2015 / 7:42 am

    I love that your wedding combo is still totally fab and wearable. My wedding dress wasn't a standard, conventional one either and I'm still wearing it often now. It only had to be altered slightly, as I was very pregnant when we got married. I linked two version of how I'm wearing it nowadays. On top of the dress I wore a cream colored coat, which has become a true staple for the winter months.

    Alex – Funky Jungle

    • 13 November 2015 / 5:16 pm

      It's great to still wear some or all of your wedding outfit, isn't it Alex?! I know I don't wear the coat but I've worn the trousers loads. And thank you for your kind words and linking up! x

    • 13 November 2015 / 5:11 pm

      And it was beautiful, JJ – I came and had a look! x

  16. 10 November 2015 / 3:16 am

    This is amazing, I thought I could join the link up but the pictures I was looking for are still eluding me, hopefully they will turn up.

    • 13 November 2015 / 5:10 pm

      Oh not to worry Linda – you have till next Monday!! x

  17. 10 November 2015 / 2:45 am

    Beautiful couple! Love what you wore on your wedding day and how you are wearing the coat & pants now.

    Alice
    http://www.happinessatmidlife.com

    Hope to see your Thursday for TBT Fashion link up.

    • 13 November 2015 / 5:09 pm

      Alice thank you, that's so sweet of you MUAH x

  18. 10 November 2015 / 1:00 am

    Lady, I LOVE LOVE your wedding outfit. So refreshing. I think if I had to do it all over again, I'd stick less to convention and do some really unique things. I'd have bridemaids choose their own dresses, I'd wear vintage, I'd get married outside. Still love our wedding day, but I've certainly thought about it. Will like up an old blog post that I wrote when I took my wedding dress out with all three kids in tow. Thanks for featuring my Halloween costume. xo

    • 13 November 2015 / 5:09 pm

      Aww Norbyah thank you!! Funnily enough I'd things differently now compared to then as well, I think we all would… Our tastes change and we grow older. Maybe we should all be able to do it every 10 years or something ?! hehe 😉

  19. 10 November 2015 / 12:40 am

    You and your husband look so gorgeous Catherine, I've still got my wedding dress and can still fit into it but I forgot to do the post so I have linked my latest post. Beautiful wedding photos. xo

    • 13 November 2015 / 4:51 pm

      Elsie you're a sweetheart, thank you so much!! You could always just link up from Instagram if you wanted to do something quick…? x

  20. 9 November 2015 / 10:40 pm

    Thank you for instigating this challenge! Love seeing your wedding photos!

    • 13 November 2015 / 4:51 pm

      Rachel it was my pleasure – and thank you! I hadn't looked at them in ages so it was nice to see them again x

  21. 9 November 2015 / 10:29 pm

    Catherine, Love the photos! I always love to see what the face under a guy's beard! I say that all the time, espcially when hubby has his fair amount of facial hair. Love the coat and trousers, modern and in style. I dont have photos, our photographer was a "friend of the family" who backed out at the last minute. I have some memories, however no pictures to share I did wear a Jessica Mcclintock dress, straight with a lace shawl, somewhat vintage looking Great pics of yours!
    thanks for the linkup
    jess xx
    http://www.elegantlydressedandstyish.com

    • 13 November 2015 / 4:50 pm

      Hehe thanks Jess – yes he looks so funny now clean shaven!! We didn't have a professional photographer, we just asked friends and family to all take lots so we could pick from theirs :))

  22. 9 November 2015 / 8:24 pm

    You looked beautiful. And you are right, it looked better then than it does now. Perhaps it does need the same top and shoes?
    Anyway.. wedding dresses are a sore point with me as I never had one, though I did marry. Long story. Still miss having that type of day… sigh.
    Greetje

    • 13 November 2015 / 4:48 pm

      I did think that, Greetje – trouble is it looks too "weddingy" if you add the same pieces!! But thank you, you're very kind :))

      I guess you could always do the big wedding day on a main anniversary… No reason why not, lots of women do!

    • 16 November 2015 / 7:45 pm

      I am my husband's third wife hahaha. Don't think I can persuade him to do this again.

  23. 9 November 2015 / 7:47 pm

    How refreshing to see a couple "getting Married" as opposed to "having a wedding"…What I mean is that the importance of the event shines through, not just the day!
    Your outfit is fab! And very "of it's time"…..those wide legged trousers look beautiful.
    I can see how you would re-style for today, but 10 years is a long time in terms of fashion styles and shapes.
    You were super-chic, and a beautiful couple!
    I hope you wear it for your anniversary…bringing it bang up to date.
    XXX
    Samantha
    Fake Fabulous
    p.s Thank you so much for featuring my 'beautiful' halloween makeup!

    • 13 November 2015 / 4:47 pm

      Yep we definitely "got married" as you described, Samantha… We had only six weeks between proposal and marriage so it was refreshing to do away with so many of the things that you're expected to do (car, photographer, cake, flowers, speeches, favours, etc. etc) – it was my second wedding so I'd done all that first time around.

      And thank you – I may just wear it for our anniversary as you suggest! x

    • 13 November 2015 / 4:44 pm

      Emma that's so lovely of you – thank you!!

  24. 9 November 2015 / 4:49 pm

    What a beautiful couple you are! And such a wonderfully modern wedding attire, too! I didn't have time to do a photoshoot of my wedding dress (plus the usual logistics problems: the dress in in the U.K, and I'm writing this in Finland…), but I've already featured it 4 times on my blog, so I just linked one of these posts…

    • 13 November 2015 / 4:44 pm

      That's fine to do that, Tiina – I knew it might be difficult for some people to do a new post because of what state their dresses are in now, or where they are…! And thank you for your kind words xx

  25. 9 November 2015 / 4:20 pm

    I LOVE this coat! Thank you for sharing your wedding photos – so precious!!!

    xo,
    Janise

    • 13 November 2015 / 4:42 pm

      My pleasure, Janise – and thank you! x

  26. 9 November 2015 / 4:20 pm

    So fun to see what you chose for your wedding. We eloped but I managed to borrow my sister's graduation dress for the occasion. This was a fun idea for a link up party.

    bisous
    Suzanne

    • 12 November 2015 / 7:54 pm

      Thank you Suzanne – and wow to eloping!! I think that must be so much fun: We did everything in just six weeks and it was a bit like eloping, but we just had our closest family and closet friends there (about 25 people). Made it so stress-free!

  27. 9 November 2015 / 4:04 pm

    How lovely to see your wedding photos! That coat us gorgeous. With that length I'd be inclined to wear it over dresses.

    I am linking up pics from my wedding, which was 2 months ago now. I loved my dress so much but it was filthy by the end of the day! Not sure it can be saved but I will try.

    X

    • 12 November 2015 / 7:52 pm

      Thanks so much Porcelina – and yes my trousers got so dirty too – amazing how we want everything perfect until the day, then we just have to go with whatever happens…! I think a lot of brides end up with dirty dresses 🙁

  28. 9 November 2015 / 4:03 pm

    Beautiful photos, Catherine and what a handsome couple you are!
    My dress is packed away. I was going to get it out to try it on at the weekend but we were too busy and it was raining and it would have got dirty again. It will still fit though, even after 8 years as my weight (amazingly) has pretty much stayed the same! On our 10th anniversary we're planning on doing a 'remember the wedding' photo shoot and I felt that I wanted to keep it for that; sentimental fool, that I am! I've linked a dress I recently restyled though that I've actually had longer than my wedding dress!

    http://petitesilvervixen.blogspot.co.uk

    • 12 November 2015 / 7:51 pm

      Wow well done on staying the same weight, Jacqueline! Thank you for your kind words, and yes that would be lovely to do a photo shoot for your 10th anniversary – maybe we should something like that for ours, too…?! I might just pinch your idea!! x

  29. 9 November 2015 / 3:41 pm

    I still have my wedding dress, but it is buried in the garage attic in a preservative box; so I have no intention of opening it! It would never fit me anyway as i am thirty pounds heavier than the day I married! I really don't like my wedding dress now, as it is very dated. But it was considered a beautiful dress when I married. I'm sure it will be back in style when my future granddaughter gets married; you know how 'in' wedding dresses always have to skip a generation. It was very formal with a long train, long sleeves, puffy shoulders: the typical 80's dress! I love your fur coat and I have to say I think you look prettier now than when you were married!

    • 12 November 2015 / 7:49 pm

      Not to worry, Amy! Your dress sounds just like my sister's from 1985 😉

      And how lovely are you to say that about looking better now? Thank you so much (though as I mentioned to Michelle above it might be to do with the fact that I pose better these days, haha!)

  30. 9 November 2015 / 3:39 pm

    First, dearest Catherine, let me just say how lovely you looked as a "non-traditional" bride in your white, faux fur coat and trousers combination!! What an absolutely perfect choice for a January wedding!! Secondly – I did NOT wear my shaggy cardigan on my own wedding day…but it was a much more appropriate choice for the damp, chilly weather we've been having in Vancouver recently than a sleeveless, full-length gown would have been!! 😉 P.S. If I knew how to upload photos from a CD to my laptop (it doesn't have a disc drive) I would definitely have shared some wedding pictures, too!! XOXO

    http://www.StyleIsMyPudding.blogspot.com

    • 12 November 2015 / 7:47 pm

      Aww Monika how sweet of you, thank you!! We had a very damp grey day, so the fur coat was a perfect choice :))

      And it would be lovely to see your wedding photos: Why not take the CD into a photo shop and they might be able to upload them onto a USB stick for you maybe? Then you can do a post and we can see your wedding pics, yay!!! hehe x

  31. 9 November 2015 / 3:38 pm

    I wouldn't wear my dress this time around, lol! It's not really me to be honest but it was very kindly lent to me at the time so I jumped at the chance of having a 'proper' wedding dress! I was only 22!!! 😉
    Suzy x
    http://www.suzyturner.com

    • 12 November 2015 / 7:41 pm

      It's funny reading everyone's comments about their wedding dresses, Suzy – it's a shame you didn't love yours but then I guess you don't have a dress you don't know what to do with…!!

  32. 9 November 2015 / 3:17 pm

    You look lovely in your wedding outfit Catherine! What a handsome couple:) Plus, you haven't aged at all!
    xx Abby

    • 12 November 2015 / 7:40 pm

      Oh wow Abby what a lovely compliment – thank you sooooooo much!! :))

  33. 9 November 2015 / 3:15 pm

    I love that your wedding attire was non-traditional as was mine (you can see mine on Instagram #iwillwearwhatilike)! And you, of course, were stunning! I didn't even attempt to put mine on, it may or may not fit. Perhaps one day, I will give it a try again. I do still wear my wedding combat boots and coat on occasion though! What a fun linkup!

    Shelbee
    http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com

    • 9 November 2015 / 10:34 pm

      Thanks Shelbee so much…!! You looked so rock n roll in yours :))

  34. 9 November 2015 / 3:14 pm

    I've got to say Catherine, you look great! Yes, you can see that your original wedding pics were taken a few years ago – but you look far more confident in the recent pics. Maybe it's because of all the pics you pose for now? Whatever the reason, it certainly agrees with you!
    I really wanted to do a whole cherish the dress shoot to linkup but, what with trying to get the house ready to put on the market, it just wasn't possible. So I shared the slideshow of my wedding that I put together a few years ago.
    Who knows, maybe I'll do a full cherish the dress shoot for our 5th anniversary next April 🙂
    Much love
    Michelle xx

    • 9 November 2015 / 10:29 pm

      Aww thanks Michelle – yes I think all the practice with photos for the blog photos does make a difference…! And yes, why not do that next year, it'd be fun! x

  35. 9 November 2015 / 3:13 pm

    The white skirt is from my wedding dress.
    Besos to you both
    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

  36. 9 November 2015 / 3:10 pm

    Fabulous couple, ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh You were so handsome, but I must say, from the bottom opf my heart, that you look more stunning now.
    Both more mature like good wine.
    You are adorableeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

    • 9 November 2015 / 10:27 pm

      Oh bless you, Sacramento – that's so sweet of you!!

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