Weight loss

Everyone is harder on themselves than others. I think you look very nice in your dress. I think the image in the second picture is amplified because of your rounded, bent posture. Standing with upright posture makes everyone appear slimmer and taller. Upper back and shoulder exercises and yoga stretches can help, not weight loss. Also, I think the top laces of your corset could be loosened a little.

Do you have another year before your wedding? If so, wait until 1-2 months before for any alterations. And do remind yourself these words from another thoughtful Bride: "the wedding dress is made to fit you, not the other way around". Best wishes.

You still have plenty of time to do dress alternations (I agree with the poster above about waiting until 1-2 months befor? the wedding to do anything) or to lose weight if you want to! Check out Chloe Ting workouts on Youtube, she has some really great upper body and back workouts, but note that you can't spot reduce fat. If you decide you want to lose weight, it would impact your whole body, hence no rush into altering the dress needed. Keeping up with the motivation is hard, though, I used Photodiva to slim myself in photos, then printed them out and looking at them helped me stay consistent, but it was a tough journey.

I did something crazy. I ordered a size 18w (which is my size). I was told to order a dress size up just in case I gained weight because of the stress that came with wedding planning, but I didn't want to. I wanted to stay fit and at that size. It's a struggle but it's less stressful staying fit (in that size) than trying trying to either lose or gain for the wedding.

Your dress is beautiful by the way. Do lil things like cutting back on carbs and drinking more water. Also, start off with 10-15 mins walks. I guarantee you it would fit just as you want it to.