Mother of the Bride Dress

From LoveToKnow Weddings

Choosing a mother of the bride dress is a time honored tradition. After all, the woman who is giving away her daughter has to look her best. What follows are some tips for choosing the perfect mother of the bride dress.

The mother of the bride should be appropriately lovely on her daughter's wedding day.

Before you Begin

Figure out your budget before you shop for a mother of the bride dress. It's easy to go overboard at times like these; the last thing you want is to go in debt over a dress you'll only wear once. Once you set your budget you can choose where to shop and what type of dress to purchase.

Many bridal magazines have advertisements for mother of the bride dresses. Peruse your daughter's magazines to see if there are any styles that appeal to you. If you find a dress you really like, call the bridal or formal wear shops in your area to see if they have the dress before you make the trip.

When to Look

The bride and her parents.

It's best to shop for a dress at least six months before the event, if you have that much time. This will allow you to take your time to select a dress that's absolutely perfect. If the dress you like is not available in your size or color, it will also allow for the shop to order the dress for you. Factor in alterations and other small issues that may arise and you'll be happy you allotted this much time. Keep in mind that once the dress is home and in your closet it wouldn't do to diet. You want your dress to fit perfectly on the day of the wedding.

Where to Look

There are many places to look for a great mother of the bride dress. Most department stores have sections that sell formalwear and dressy dresses. This may be a good place to start, especially if you're on a limited budget. You can also find plenty of styles at formal wear stores and even bridal shops. The Internet also has a wide assortment of choices. The downside to ordering online is that you can't try the dress on to see how it looks.

Choosing a Mother of the Bride Dress

A mother's dress can coordinate with the wedding colors.

Before you choose your dress it's important to remember all eyes will be on you at one time or another throughout the course of the event. Now is not the time to make a statement and the day isn't about looking better than the mother of the groom or your ex-husband's new wife. The day is about your daughter getting married. Your dress should be tasteful and elegant without causing tongues to wag.

You might want to consult with the bride about her choice of colors. While you don't want to wear the same exact color as the women in the bridal party, you might want to wear something that at least matches. The last thing you want to do is clash or stand out in wedding photographs.

If you're unsure of what to choose, take your daughter with you to find a mother of the bride dress. She'll help you select something appropriate that compliments the color scheme. Since the mother of the bride traditionally chooses a wedding dress before the mother of the groom, the bride will also alert the groom's mother as to what you are wearing. This will avoid both of you showing up in the same dress. Hey, it happens.

Appropriate Colors

Proper etiquette dictates that the bride is the only one who should wear white. While you may have seen other mothers of the bride wear white to a wedding, this is considered a major faux pas. You'll want to avoid black too. Not only is this considered inappropriate, but many also feel its bad luck.

Check first to see what the wedding party will be wearing and see if you can find a color that works well. Also, choose a color that works well with your skin tone. You might also avoid dresses with busy prints as these can be quite distracting. It's always a good idea to take along someone who will offer an unbiased opinion when choosing a mother of the bride dress.

Have Fun

The most important tip for choosing a mother of the bride dress is to have fun. When else do you get to try on as many stylish dressy dresses as you like? Don't let the experience be stressful. After shopping enjoy a nice lunch or dinner out. Make the most of your mother of the bride experience!

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Comments

Teacher27 - While I'm sure the ivory dress you wore to her first wedding would still be appropriate in style, she may not want you wearing the same outfit. You should ask about her feelings on the subject, and there may be a way the dress can be easily accessorized or altered -- adding a wrap or adjusting the hem, for example -- that could make it seem very different without costing much for the changes.

-- Contributed by: Melissa Mayntz

My daughter is getting married for the second time. I wore a beautiful ivory colored dress to the first wedding which I spent a lot of money on. Would it be ok to wear it to her second wedding?

-- Contributed by: Enter your name here

Hi Robin,

I would suggest visiting the David's Bridal website and using their 'Dress my Wedding' tool. You can choose a virtual model with your hair color and skin tone, and try on various dress colors next to a virtual bridesmaid in a watermelon gown to see what might blend well. Other shades of green, such as a mint or a lime green may work well with your hair and eyes and still complement the wedding color. Medium shades of blue may also work. Good luck!

-- Contributed by: Amy Finley

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