22/01/16
The day your daughter gets married is a very special occasion, and one that calls for an extra special outfit. Make sure you remember your dress just as fondly as you remember this highlight for any proud parent, by asking these 10 key questions before you commit.
SHOP DRESSES1. Is There A Colour Scheme?
Many weddings are built around a colour scheme – for example, dusky pinks mixed with greys and taupes graced many a reception venue through 2015. You don’t have to match the colour scheme exactly with your outfit (unless the bride tells you otherwise), but you should keep it in mind and choose something complementary.
For example, if your daughter has gone for one of the muted shades still in vogue for 2016 (according to colour experts, Pantone), such as ‘lilac grey’, ‘rose quartz’ or ‘iced coffee’, you should stick to similarly toned down hues. However, if a bold bright like ‘buttercup’ or fiery orange ‘fiesta’ is on the colour palette, you’ll want to stand out in something vibrant.
2. What’s The ‘Style’ Of The Wedding?
Similarly, many weddings have a distinct style – or even a specific theme. Remembering this when you choose your dress will ensure that you feel comfortable and fabulous on the day, and in-keeping with the overall feel of the wedding. An embellished dress would be ideal for a black tie event, for example. Whereas beautiful bloom-print dresses fit perfectly with an English garden or relaxed boho theme.
2. What’s The ‘Style’ Of The Wedding?
Similarly, many weddings have a distinct style – or even a specific theme. Remembering this when you choose your dress will ensure that you feel comfortable and fabulous on the day, and in-keeping with the overall feel of the wedding. An embellished dress would be ideal for a black tie event, for example. Whereas beautiful bloom-print dresses fit perfectly with an English garden or relaxed boho theme.
3. What Are The Bridesmaids Wearing?
As with the colour scheme, don’t feel that you need to match the colour or style of the bridesmaids’ dresses. In fact, you might want to ensure that you don’t, as no mother of the bride wants to be mistaken for a wannabe bridesmaid in the photography line-up. However, subtly co-ordinating with the bridesmaids will ensure that you look like the important part of the wedding party that you are.
4. Does It Fit With My Daughter’s Dress?
Going wedding dress shopping with their daughter is a big moment for every mum, but try to take in the details through the happy tears as they will help you when choosing your own special dress. For example, if she’s channelling her inner princess in a full on, full skirted, beautifully beaded frock then you can afford to go as dressy as you like with beads, sequins, bows – the works! Or maybe you’ll take inspiration from the bride’s lace gown with a classic lace shift? 3D flowers are a big bridal trend right now too, which might edge you towards a pretty floral print.
3. What Are The Bridesmaids Wearing?
As with the colour scheme, don’t feel that you need to match the colour or style of the bridesmaids’ dresses. In fact, you might want to ensure that you don’t, as no mother of the bride wants to be mistaken for a wannabe bridesmaid in the photography line-up. However, subtly co-ordinating with the bridesmaids will ensure that you look like the important part of the wedding party that you are.
4. Does It Fit With My Daughter’s Dress?
Going wedding dress shopping with their daughter is a big moment for every mum, but try to take in the details through the happy tears as they will help you when choosing your own special dress. For example, if she’s channelling her inner princess in a full on, full skirted, beautifully beaded frock then you can afford to go as dressy as you like with beads, sequins, bows – the works! Or maybe you’ll take inspiration from the bride’s lace gown with a classic lace shift? 3D flowers are a big bridal trend right now too, which might edge you towards a pretty floral print.
5. What Is The Mother-In-Law Wearing?
Hopefully you get on well with the mother of the groom, so there’s no need to feel competitive when it comes to outfits. It would be nice to co-ordinate your looks subtly though, to make for nice ‘happy couple with parents’ photos. You’ll also want to make sure that your outfits aren’t too similar, so there’s no confusion about who is who.
5. What Is The Mother-In-Law Wearing?
Hopefully you get on well with the mother of the groom, so there’s no need to feel competitive when it comes to outfits. It would be nice to co-ordinate your looks subtly though, to make for nice ‘happy couple with parents’ photos. You’ll also want to make sure that your outfits aren’t too similar, so there’s no confusion about who is who.
6. What Will I Feel Comfortable In?
A wedding day can be very long and tiring, and as the mother of the bride you’ll be getting lots of attention, so it’s important that you feel comfortable in your dress in both senses of the word. If you know what style of dress suits you and your body shape then sticking to that is a simple recipe for success. You might also prefer to keep any areas that you’re not keen on covered, while accentuating your best bits. For example, a dress with sleeves can look elegant. Or choose a gown-like maxi dress or chic jumpsuit if you’d prefer to keep your legs covered.
7. Indoor Or Outdoor?
If there’s any part of the wedding that’s planned to be outdoors – outdoor photographs or a drinks reception perhaps – then you need to make sure that your outfit is suitable for the weather but can also take you indoors without too much adjustment. A dress with a matching jacket is a smart option. Or you could choose a co-ordinating cardigan or shawl for spring or autumn weather. For a winter wedding, a fur bolero or jacket will look stunning, while summer weddings (or beach weddings) make keeping cool and comfortable in the heat the priority, so avoid anything too tight, clingy or heavy.
6. What Will I Feel Comfortable In?
A wedding day can be very long and tiring, and as the mother of the bride you’ll be getting lots of attention, so it’s important that you feel comfortable in your dress in both senses of the word. If you know what style of dress suits you and your body shape then sticking to that is a simple recipe for success. You might also prefer to keep any areas that you’re not keen on covered, while accentuating your best bits. For example, a dress with sleeves can look elegant. Or choose a gown-like maxi dress or chic jumpsuit if you’d prefer to keep your legs covered.
7. Indoor Or Outdoor?
If there’s any part of the wedding that’s planned to be outdoors – outdoor photographs or a drinks reception perhaps – then you need to make sure that your outfit is suitable for the weather but can also take you indoors without too much adjustment. A dress with a matching jacket is a smart option. Or you could choose a co-ordinating cardigan or shawl for spring or autumn weather. For a winter wedding, a fur bolero or jacket will look stunning, while summer weddings (or beach weddings) make keeping cool and comfortable in the heat the priority, so avoid anything too tight, clingy or heavy.
8. Sit Down Meal Or Buffet?
The food is often a big part of a wedding, and we all know that comfort has to be a consideration when a heavy meal is on the cards. If you know that there’s a five course wedding breakfast with all the trimmings planned, you might want to rule out anything too tight fitting around the stomach area. A looser fitting tunic or shift style dress will leave plenty of room for wedding cake. On the flipside, if there’s a hog roast, light buffet or trendy afternoon tea on the menu, bodycon and curve-clinging styles won’t be a problem.
8. Sit Down Meal Or Buffet?
The food is often a big part of a wedding, and we all know that comfort has to be a consideration when a heavy meal is on the cards. If you know that there’s a five course wedding breakfast with all the trimmings planned, you might want to rule out anything too tight fitting around the stomach area. A looser fitting tunic or shift style dress will leave plenty of room for wedding cake. On the flipside, if there’s a hog roast, light buffet or trendy afternoon tea on the menu, bodycon and curve-clinging styles won’t be a problem.
9. Should I Go For A Hat?
To hat or not to hat? That is the question! It might not be the biggest conundrum of the day, but it’s an important one for the mother of the bride. Whether or not you choose to don a traditional hat will depend largely on how formal the wedding is, but there are other considerations too. Will you be too warm or uncomfortable wearing a hat during dinner? Are you likely to have a bad case of ‘hat hair’ when it finally comes off? If yes then why not consider a fascinator as an alternative?
If you are planning on wearing a hat then you’ll want your dress to make enough of a statement not to be outshone. And remember – etiquette states that those hosting the wedding get to wear the largest hat, and that’s traditionally you, the Mother of the Bride!
10. Will I Be Dancing By The End Of The Night?
Most weddings end with a good old fashioned ‘knees up’, which usually includes plenty of twirling around the dancefloor. If you’re planning on strutting your stuff, you don’t want to feel restricted in a very clingy or stiff dress. Something with movement, such as a dress with a swing style skirt (or a two piece), would be perfect. You’ll also want to ensure that your shoes are comfortable enough to stand up to dancing at the end of a long day (usually with lots of standing around involved). Alternatively, you could always change into another outfit for the evening reception – that way you have double the excuse to go shopping!
9. Should I Go For A Hat?
To hat or not to hat? That is the question! It might not be the biggest conundrum of the day, but it’s an important one for the mother of the bride. Whether or not you choose to don a traditional hat will depend largely on how formal the wedding is, but there are other considerations too. Will you be too warm or uncomfortable wearing a hat during dinner? Are you likely to have a bad case of ‘hat hair’ when it finally comes off? If yes then why not consider a fascinator as an alternative?
If you are planning on wearing a hat then you’ll want your dress to make enough of a statement not to be outshone. And remember – etiquette states that those hosting the wedding get to wear the largest hat, and that’s traditionally you, the Mother of the Bride!
10. Will I Be Dancing By The End Of The Night?
Most weddings end with a good old fashioned ‘knees up’, which usually includes plenty of twirling around the dancefloor. If you’re planning on strutting your stuff, you don’t want to feel restricted in a very clingy or stiff dress. Something with movement, such as a dress with a swing style skirt (or a two piece), would be perfect. You’ll also want to ensure that your shoes are comfortable enough to stand up to dancing at the end of a long day (usually with lots of standing around involved). Alternatively, you could always change into another outfit for the evening reception – that way you have double the excuse to go shopping!