There are so many boutiques, stores and designers that cater for brides but little choice for the mother of the bride and mother of the groom who both face the same dilemmas. I recently showed my mother of the bride collection at Brides the Show at Olympia.

I was surprised to find that among a sea of ivory wedding dresses, I was the only designer showing a mother of the bride collection. Yet it is often harder for the mums to find something that fits and makes them feel good – especially when they will be on show and photographed from every angle.

Often by the time a mother of the bride comes to see me they will have explored all the big London stores and their local boutiques without success. Don’t discount this as wasted because every time you try on something you are building up knowledge of what does and doesn’t suit you.

They will also guard you from pushy sales girls and stop you making a costly mistake.

If you can stretch to having something made the right designer will help you resolve your mother of the bride dilemma.

I am very aware of how important this choice is so I always allow 90 minutes when I see someone for a consultation – and there is no charge even if you don’t go ahead.

It is important that you get on well with your chosen designer and that you are listened to.

It is always good to go by recommendation but failing that check testimonials – and look at the quality of the workmanship of dress samples not just the fabric and style.

You don’t want a bagging neckline or rippled seams.

Lulla came to see me when she needed an outfit made for her daughter’s wedding. She had an idea of what would work for her: a floaty dress in her favourite blue and a navy mandarin-collar jacket which she felt would be a useful wardrobe edition after the wedding.

As I had made Lulla an outfit in the past for her son’s wedding, she felt confident in my ability to interpret her ideas.

I was delighted when she sent me this message after the wedding: ‘My outfit was an amazing success! However I just wanted to tell you that within 10 days of the wedding I had worn the outfit 4 times!! That either shows how in need I was of a new outfit or what a great job you did for me! Actually both!!’

If you can afford couture it is worth it for the extra service you get including advice on correctly fitting underwear and accessories – shoes, hat or fascinator, bag, jewellery and even nail colour – that are important in creating the perfect outfit.

A duck egg silk linen jacket showed off her neat figure during the formal part of the wedding and a floaty lace dress with three quarter length sleeves was perfect for the dancing in the evening. A matching silk linen clutch and fascinator covered in the same lace with pearls and feathers completed the look.

If a couture designer is out of your budget you could go to a dressmaker instead. Make sure they are going to make a calico toile (mock up) of your outfit first as this is essential to ensure the fit and styling is correct before cutting the fabric. A dressmaker will want you to supply the fabric so make sure the fabric you have chosen will work for the design. A dressmaker generally will not give you the same input as a designer so expect to tell them what you want. If you take this route make sure you get a recommendation and ask to see samples.

Most important of all give yourself enough time and don’t be rushed into buying – a good test is to walk away and see if you still feel the same… And if you need advice I am always happy to chat, just email me [email protected]