Mother of the Bride Dresses & Outfits
Mother of the Bride Dresses &Outfits
As the bride's mother you'll play a key role in helping to plan the wedding day.
In the busy months, weeks and days leading up to the wedding day, it's important to take time out to go shopping for your own wedding outfit.
The mother of the bride plays such an important role in the lead up to and on the day of the wedding. Traditionally the bride's mother wears quite a formal outfit - often a two-piece suit or dress with jacket.
A number of "special occasion" outfitters as well as many of the larger department stores offer a range of fashions suitable for wedding guests and mothers of the bride or groom.
However, increasingly mothers are being a little creative and buying dresses that are less traditional, with a little more flair even. How about looking for a vintage evening gown, or a flowing maxi dress or perhaps a wrap dress to show off your curves? When worn with the right accessories, it's possible to dress these up or down, so they have great "wear again" capabilities too.
Whatever you opt for, be sure to go shopping in good time several weeks before the wedding. Etiquette used to suggest that the mother of the groom should wait to buy her outfit until you have purchased yours, though this rule does not seem to often be followed today. Buying ahead is a wise choice, as there will be enough stress as you approach your daughter's big day, without adding to it by trying to find your own dress and accessories!
If you can, take a friend along and plan to make a day of shopping. This allows you the time and flexibility to have a leisurely trip, try on a range of styles, colours and designers, to give you maximum choice.
One of your most important choices will what colour dress or outfit you choose. When you look in the mirror in the changing room, what you should see first if your own glowing, happy face, not the dress itself. The purpose of the dress is to draw attention to you, so take a step back, however much you might love it, and ask yourself honestly, whether it flatters you and your skin tone.
Finally, you'll want to pick an outfit that's easy to accessorize. It can be a challenge picking an unusual shade if you then need to buy a hat, bag and shoes to match. It's definitely worth thinking about this beforehand - you don't need matching accessories, as contrasting or toning can also work well, but don't leave thinking about this until after you make your purchase .... some wedding guests have spent weeks and months trying to accessorise their "perfect" dress!
However sure you are of your purchase, keep the receipts somewhere safe, you never know when you might need them.
Hang your newly purchased outfit somewhere out of the sun, ready to try on a couple of weeks before the wedding.
Enjoy!
Recommended Resources
Church suits - 2 piece suits, elegant and suitably formal
Pant suits - comfortable, smart and easy to wear