Dress for a very, very posh English wedding?! HELP?!?!?!?

Geesh!  That's crazy.  Definitely borrow or hit the charity shops - I want to see you get all four dresses for less than £100 total.  Set yourself the challenge! 

Identify the most affluent town in your general vicinity & hit the charity shops there.  (Like up here, Harrogate has the poshest stuff in the charity shops.)  You'll find stuff for your size, I'll betcha!

Holy mother of Adam!! That is outrageous! Yeah, go check out the charity shops -- you can find some good stuff but you have to check back every day or two to see if they've got anything 'new' in.

You might also try Ebay.

Hmm, for the evening I'd be tempted to go Black maxi, you could get away with a cheaper one and dress it with a piece of statement jewellery and some nice bangles + clutch. No one would be able to tell it was a cheaper dress.

I'm going to do £40 per dress budget and do some virtual shopping for you

If you're small busted you could get away with something like this - http://www.asos.com/Lipsy/Lipsy-Exclusive-To-Asos-Maxi-Dress-With-Beaded-Neck-Line/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=1385693&SearchQuery=black%20maxi&Rf-800=-1,55.000&sh=0&pge=1&pgesize=20&sort=-1&clr=Black

If you want to really stun, then something like this -
http://www.asos.com/Rare/Rare-Shoulder-Pad-Sequin-Maxi-Dress/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=1411157&SearchQuery=black%20maxi&Rf-800=-1,55.000&sh=0&pge=2&pgesize=20&sort=-1&clr=Black

or this -
http://www.asos.com/Oasis/Oasis-Lurex-Bandeau-Maxi-Dress/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=1326010&SearchQuery=black%20maxi&Rf-800=-1,55.000&sh=0&pge=2&pgesize=20&sort=-1&clr=Black

Lace is a big trend, and as you're small on top you could do this -
http://www.asos.com/Asos/Asos-Underground-Romantics-Lace-Godet-Maxi-Dress/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=1353738&SearchQuery=black%20maxi&Rf-800=-1,55.000&sh=0&pge=2&pgesize=20&sort=-1&clr=Black

or more classically, I think this asymetric dress would look stunning, it also comes in an electric blue which i LOVE

http://www.asos.com/Warehouse/Warehouse-Embellished-Maxi-Dress/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=1191029&SearchQuery=black%20maxi&Rf-800=-1,55.000&sh=0&pge=3&pgesize=20&sort=-1&clr=Black

If you want some colour, this red is lovely
http://www.asos.com/Pearl/Pearl-One-Shoulder-Belted-Maxi-Dress/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=1631895


Dinner - more formal, above or on the knee

Something like this?
http://www.asos.com/Asos/Asos-Chelsea-Rebellion-50S-Pencil-Dress/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=1417501&SearchQuery=50s%20dress&sh=0&pge=0&pgesize=20&sort=-1&clr=Tobacco
Sexy but more formal but not as eveningy as other dresses.

http://www.asos.com/Mango/Mango-Lace-And-Sheer-Pencil-Dress/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=1370641&SearchQuery=pencil%20dress&sh=0&pge=1&pgesize=20&sort=-1&clr=Black

http://www.asos.com/Asos/Asos-Pencil-Dress-In-Mono-Colour-Block/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=1549065&SearchQuery=pencil%20dress&sh=0&pge=3&pgesize=20&sort=-1&clr=Blackwhite

Wedding - summery but formal

How about a 50s style dress with a cardigan or with a light jacket.

This black, peter pan colour jacket is lovely and could be worn to smarten up any outfit without being too formal
http://www.asos.com/Yumi/Yumi-Jacket-With-Beaded-Collar/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=1653165&cid=2110&sh=0&pge=0&pgesize=20&sort=-1&clr=Black

Could team it with florals
http://www.asos.com/Mango/Mango-Bold-Floral-Pencil-Dress/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=1331122&SearchQuery=pencil%20dress&sh=0&pge=2&pgesize=20&sort=-1&clr=Multi


Or a summery but tailored dress like this -
http://www.asos.com/Asos/Asos-Dolly-Spot-Pencil-Dress/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=1389909&SearchQuery=pencil%20dress&sh=0&pge=1&pgesize=20&sort=-1&clr=Print


Garden party dress

Have you considered a pair of wide leg trousers? They're very fashionable this season and paired with a nice top and short cardigan they can look amazing and summery.
http://www.asos.com/River-Island/River-Island-Polka-Dot-Wide-Leg-Trousers/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=1585529&SearchQuery=river%20island%20women&sh=0&pge=3&pgesize=20&sort=-1&clr=Blackspot

Or some linen trousers  or a dress in linen like this pencil dress
http://www.asos.com/Asos/Asos-Linen-Tab-Detail-Wide-Leg-Trouser/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=1498123&SearchQuery=wide%20leg%20trousers&sh=0&pge=1&pgesize=20&sort=-1&clr=Chesnut

http://www.asos.com/Asos/Asos-Linen-Pencil-Dress-With-Square-Sleeve/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=1607011&SearchQuery=pencil%20dress&sh=0&pge=0&pgesize=20&sort=-1&clr=Coral

Thank you soooooooo much!!!!! That is so helpful!!!!!

It's a little bit over your price range but I love this dress for someone small busted: http://www.boden.co.uk/en-GB/Womens-Dresses/Knee-Length-Dresses/BH005/Womens-Silk-Leaf-Dress.html?NavGroupID=4

This could be great for the garden party:
http://www.boden.co.uk/en-GB/Womens-Dresses/Knee-Length-Dresses/BH003/Womens-Broderie-Dress.html?NavGroupID=4

And this: http://www.boden.co.uk/en-GB/Womens-Dresses/Knee-Length-Dresses/BH004/Womens-Ruffle-Silk-Dress.html?NavGroupID=4

This one for the dinner or the garden party: http://www.boden.co.uk/en-GB/Womens-Dresses/Above-Knee-Dresses/WH259/Womens-Silk-Flutter-Dress.html?NavGroupID=4

They're a bit pricey but there are always 25% off codes for Boden around, at least for the US store, if you sign up for emails or whatever.

Oh, this is gorgeous, too! Could definitely work for the wedding. I love all of the pleating detail.
http://bananarepublic.gap.eu/browse/product.do?cid=61213&vid=1&pid=101262368

Keep in mind that fabric determines most of the level of dressiness. Something in a satin, shiny fabric or a tulle is going to be dressier than a cotton or jersey. You probably want something with a sheen for the actual wedding day, although tbh, I don't know what the difference between the "wedding" and the "dinner" should be. Silly.

[quote author=aimlesstraveler link=topic=69934.msg972912#msg972912
They're a bit pricey but there are always 25% off codes for Boden around, at least for the US store, if you sign up for emails or whatever.
[/quote]

You can't go wrong with Boden! 

I've been wearing their Riviera dress (in brown and white spots) a lot this year and absolutely love it. It's flattering, well-made and comfortable. That style might be appropriate for the garden party?

As for other shops in addition to Boden, I agree that Coast is a good bet. Also Phase Eight.

You might try eBay for things by those makes. There's not usually a shortage of them!

I've been finding these links and suggestions very helpful as well.  Good luck to you LaraMascara!

OH I LOVE BODEN!!!!!!

Nice stuff!

I am going to see if they have a shop in Brighton....

THANK YOU LADIES!!!!!!!

I am going to see if they have a shop in Brighton....

Sorry, but they don't. They're primarily a catalogue company.

They have a good return policy so i can order from them, in a few sizes, and return the stuff that does not fit, which is good!

They have a good return policy so i can order from them, in a few sizes, and return the stuff that does not fit, which is good!

Boden is really good with returns, I had to exchange some Mini Boden kids clothes and had no problems.

I am totally getting this wannabe princess bride a book about the current economic situation, as a freakin' wedding gift...

Yea, 3-4 occasions requiring dressy dress seems really excessive for one wedding. Yea, a wedding weekend is nice and all but there's no reason why anything more than the actual wedding should be formal. The evening before sounds a bit like a rehearsal dinner in the US and while I wouldn't wear jeans and a T shirt to most rehearsal dinners, I'd imagine that most people would already have an appropriate outfit in their closet already (ie, a cute sundress or skirt or slacks with a cute top). Day-after brunches are also common and great but decidedly casual, in my view, where jeans and a nice top would be totally fine. This sounds way over the top!