Time was when a mother of the bride outfit was frumpy and unflattering, a costly purchase that would only be worn once. Now the mother of the bride and mother of the groom are expected to look stylish and are often under a lot of pressure to get it right. This is when costly mistakes can be made. It’s important to stay calm, stay within your comfort zone and not listen to too much conflicting advice.

Remember to stay stylish but tasteful – it is the bride’s day so no cleavage, short hems, white/ivory or a colour close to the bride’s dress. Before starting your search you will need to know the colour palette for the wedding, bridesmaids dresses, flowers… and if you are mother of the groom what colour the mother of the bride is wearing. Etiquette gives her first choice and that is one of the few traditions that still stands.

Elizabeth Bessant couture stand H41 next to the catwalk

Twice a year, I exhibit at the National Wedding Show in Olympia and I always show my mother of bride/groom collection.

For me it’s a chance to meet and chat to many lovely mothers who are desperate to get it right for this once in a lifetime event – and are very aware that the wedding photos will haunt them forever if they don’t…

My advice to my clients is not to go too far out of their comfort zone because if you don’t feel relaxed you won’t enjoy the day. That doesn’t mean dress down but if you feel uncomfortable in a dress, for example, you could wear a smart trouser suit.

There are no rules for most weddings but that said most people cover their arms for a church wedding. If you don’t want to wear a formal jacket or dress coat, a floaty chiffon coat in a pretty print works well. These are also good for covering your arms but at the same time you won’t feel too warm at a summer wedding.

When I met Carolyn at the show, she was looking for an outfit to wear to her daughter’s wedding that was being held in their large garden that backs onto the sea. The wedding had a nautical theme so she wanted to feel comfortable and relaxed especially as the event was mid summer. I made her a beautiful chartreuse green silk crepe dress with a cross over bust, a neckline that particularly suited her and allowed Carolyn to wear one of her favourite statement necklaces.

I paired the dress with a silk chiffon floaty coat in vibrant shades of chartreuse, blues and purples. A sash of the chiffon tied around her panama hat completed the look. It is an outfit Carolyn will wear many times – pieces together and separately. These colours all feature in her wardrobe so she can mix and match her new additions – money well spent.

Another mother of the bride I met at the National Wedding Show is Fiona. We hit it off immediately and she made the decision at the show that she would come to me for her outfit. I made her a duck egg silk linen shift dress with angled panels beaded with pearls and a silk bow on one shoulder.

A matching jacket, clutch bag and fascinator completed her look for her daughter’s church wedding. Fiona enjoyed every fitting and our chats over a cup of tea, and totally embraced the experience of having a couture outfit made especially for her.

I will be at The National Wedding Show, Olympia from the 21st to 23rd September 2018 on stand H41 next to the catwalk. If you would like any advice please don’t hesitate to come and see me I am happy to help.