How to shine as the mother of the bride

In times gone by, it was almost an expectation for the mother of the bride to be dressed in plain, drab pastels, but nowadays things have changed for the better. Although all eyes may be on the lucky lady walking down the aisle, it doesn’t mean that the mother of the bride can’t shine also.

Of course, planning for a wedding takes a lot of effort, and it’s important to be meticulous in order to ensure everything runs smoothly – and this typically extends to all outfits. Gone are the days where all that mattered was the bride, groom and bridesmaids. In order to get the perfect look and ensure that the big day runs perfectly, you’ll need to communicate and discuss who’s wearing what; after all, if the mother of the groom dresses in a completely clashing style to the mother of the bride, it could make for an awkward wedding photo album!

Style harmony

The first rule of shopping for a mother of the bride dress (or a grandmother of the bride dress) is to allow the bride to be your guide. Take as many stylistic cues from the bride as you can – think color scheme, style, form and overall look. It’s the bride that ultimately sets the tone for the entire wedding, so it’s important to follow her lead – although this doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t get creative.

Ultimately, it’s best not to rush in when choosing an outfit. If possible, wait until the bride has chosen outfits for the maid of honor and bridesmaids to ensure the best possible match. It’s worthwhile obtaining material samples or swatches to help guide you when choosing a dress – holding material from the wedding gown and bridesmaids’ outfits against a potential dress will give you visual cues as to whether your potential choice is a good match.

Taking the venue into account

Don’t be afraid to allow the venue to reflect and inform your choice of outfit. For example, what works for a formal church setting might not work at an outdoor ceremony, and vice versa. The bride’s choice of wedding decorations and venue layout might also provide you with some inspiration (for example, if the wedding has a particular theme, you’ll ultimately want your dress choice to fit in with it).