When you’re the mother of the bride or groom, it is important to look your best on the big day, no matter whether if it is your child’s first, second, or subsequent marriage. As such, while you might be busy helping your daughter or son get ready for their nuptials, you also need to make sure you give yourself the chance to find the perfect mother-of-the-bride or mother-of-the-groom outfit. Read on for three tips you should follow today to make sure you are “dressed to impress” at the wedding.
1. Give Yourself Plenty of Time to Shop
One of the most important aspects of finding the perfect mother-of-the-bride or mother-of-the-groom outfit is to give yourself plenty of time to shop so that you maximize your options and decrease the stress that comes with shopping. While you might be focused initially on helping your daughter or soon-to-be daughter-in-law find her dream dress, remember that you don’t want to wait until the last minute to find the right look for yourself.
If possible, try to start your outfit research and shopping at least three months, if not longer, before the big day. It can help to check out online blogs and websites, as well as magazines, to get inspiration for the type of style you want to go for, as well as to get ideas about where the best places will be to shop at.
Keep in mind that you want to give yourself enough time to have an outfit altered if need be, because it can often be tricky to find something off the shelf that looks sensational right away. You may need to have multiple fittings before the wedding day to get the fit of your look just right, particularly if you need areas of your dress or suit to be taken in or let out. If you leave your shopping to the last minute, you will dramatically limit your shopping choices, not to mention stop yourself from having something that has been turned into “va-va-voom” with a little tailoring.
2. Set a Budget in Advance
Next, if you only have a certain amount of funds available to spend on your wedding outfit, it pays to set a budget in advance. This will help you not to get carried away with the excitement of the event, and ensure you don’t later regret having spent too much. It will also give you more direction when it comes to choosing where to shop and what types of outfits to look at.
If you are worried that a tight budget will hamper your ability to look as lovely as you’d like on the big day, remember that it is quite easy to liven up a simple dress or two-piece suit with some affordable accessories. The right bag, shoes, jewelry, and even hat or headpiece can really pull an outfit together and add the “wow factor” you’re looking for. Perfect hair and makeup are also key components.
Even if you do have plenty of money to spend, it is worthwhile limiting your budget so that you don’t end up with a more expensive outfit than the bride — something that could easily cause unwanted conflict in the lead up to the wedding!
3. Discuss the Wedding’s Specific Style With Your Child
When it comes to selecting mother-of-the-groom or mother-of-the-bride dresses or suits, keep in mind that you should discuss style options with your child to ensure your outfit will tie in perfectly with the day’s proceedings and location. In particular, you need to make sure what you wear suits the chosen theme, color scheme, and level of formality.
As an example, many brides like the parents of the bride and groom to wear outfits which are in the same color palette as that of the bridal party. If the bridesmaids, flower girls, and groomsmen will be wearing shades of purple such as plum or mauve, for instance, you could search for a look that incorporates the exact same hue or opt for a color that matches appropriately, such as a soft lavender or lilac shade.
If the wedding day is all themed around a particular era, movie, book, other topic or style, you should look for an outfit that caters to this. For instance, if the bride and groom have opted for a day themed around the roaring ‘20s, you will likely need to go shopping at vintage stores or online for a suitable look, or you may need to have something made.
The level of formality should be a consideration, too. If the marriage ceremony and reception will be held at the beach, for example, with a relaxed vibe, you should probably opt for a more casual and flowy outfit, rather than anything too structured and formal. Don’t forget to consider the likely weather on the day, too, as the last thing you want is to be too hot or cold and uncomfortable as a result.
