This is a sponsored guest post.
Going out to shop for a wedding dress for your mom can be a great experience for you. The tips below will go a long way in helping you find the perfect dress for her.
You mum will be present in many of the special moments on your wedding day. Everyone will be looking at her when she will be walking into the ceremony and the announcement at the reception. There will also be a lot of photos taken. There is a good chance the last time she shopped for a dress was during her wedding, treat her to a trip to Frox of Falkirk.
1. Talking to Her
Your mom knows a lot about your wedding (this is thanks to the calls you keep making to her panicking about your wedding and asking for her support cake tasting), but you should have a talk with her about the vision you have for the D-day – how formal you want it to be, the color palette, and style. Pictures will be able to give her a better picture of what you would like, show her the photos you have in your inspiration board. When she sees this, she is going to have a visual guide that will help her head in the right direction.
2. Starting Early
You should start the process about six months before the wedding. This gives her enough time to prepare and find something that she loves and also provides enough time for fittings and alterations if needed. By then, you would have chosen the bridal party look and your own attire. This will help you mom because she will draw inspiration from your dress and coordinate accordingly.
3. Considering the Wedding Colors
There is no rule that says that all the dresses worn in the wedding have to coordinate, but some bride prefer to have their moms wear the same palette as the bridal party when it comes to the color of the dress (this can be a plum or mauve gown and the maids wearing lavender or lilac). There are some brides who want all of them to match. The most important thing is that the dress your mom chooses should not clash with the theme of the wedding. Navy blush, metallic, chocolate brown, blush, and jewel tones are safe options for the mother of the bride or groom. Some of the dresses that people avoided in the past include ivory, white, or champagne (they are close to the bridal gown’s hue), black (black is the color used when mourning) or red (flashy). Today, people are wearing these colors and they end up looking great in them. If your mom is thinking about choosing one of these color or she is not yet sure about the color to go with, just let her know your thoughts.
4. Thinking about Style
Your mom is not looking to upstage you, but this does not mean that she has to dress conservative, frumpy, or matronly either. There are many options out there that will leave your mom looking glamorous without having to look over the top. Depending on the formality of your wedding, anything ranging from a chic sheath or classic suit to a formal gown or cocktail can work. If your mom happens to choose a style you are not happy with or you have chosen for her, you should start talking to each other so you can find a compromise that is okay for both of you. This is your day, but it is just as special to her and you want her to be comfortable with what she wears.
5. Considering Logistics
Just like you do with your own gown, the logistics like setting, the time of day and the season of the event should also be factored in when making the choice. If she wears a sequined ball gown for the champagne brunch, she will end up feeling out of place. If the venue is a vineyard, then a long voluminous gown skimming the dirt paths and dewy grass will not be the right option. There is another thing you need to keep in mind is that there are some cultural and religious customs that can dictate the dress code, so she should be ready to cover up if this I the case (using a chic shawl, cardigan, or jacket).
6. Coordinating with your mother-in-law
In the traditional way, the mother of the bride was the first one to pick the outfit, and this was so that she could set the tone of what the mother of the groom was going to wear. Today, this is not important, the important thing is that both mothers are happy and comfortable with the clothes they wear. The mother of the groom and your mom don’t have to match, but the thing to look out for is for the outfits not to clash. You should encourage them to spend some time together talking so that they can know what the other is planning to wear and style (hem length, sleeve, color, neckline, and style). If they happen to get along well, they can go shopping together so that they can advise each other so that they can both find a look that will coordinate nicely. Another option is going out with each of them separately. If you notice both are interested in a similar color, go with different shades of the color.
