What to wear as Mother of the bride
Once upon a time the mother of the bride was expected to wear a neat suit or coat with matching gloves but now with so many options choosing an outfit can be challenging. Make no mistake a chic suit or coat over a dress can look lovely – think Carole Middleton in pale pink at daughter Pippa’s wedding. Carole looked enviably elegant but this was a formal occasion. If your daughter is wearing a bohemian-style wedding dresses with flowers entwined in her hair, you may look out of place in a suit with hat and court shoes!
So take your cue from the style of your daughter’s ceremony. Is it a black tie event or a more casual country celebration? A chat with the bride is the first step as she will have ideas about how she would like you to look on her wedding day. Once you know what type of dress she is wearing you can ask her if she has a “I don’t want you to wear this” list because you don’t want to upset or disappoint her with your choice of outfit.
If you go shopping together you can try on a lot of options and hopefully you and your daughter will see what is right for you. Your ideas may clash a bit but compromise don’t argue as this is a special bonding time. And don’t economise on your outfit – even if you think you will only wear it once – it’s an important occasion and if you don’t get it right the wedding photos will haunt you for a very long time.
When Karen came to see me for her mother of the bride outfit she bought a swatch of purple fabric with her because her daughter wanted her mum and bridesmaid to be in the same colour.
This is unusual but it worked because the colour suited her and there was only one bridesmaid so it helped to balance the photos.
Often brides want their mum to wear colours that tone with the dresses of their bridesmaids but there are no rules.
Another mother of the bride I dressed had a much wider choice. Michele’s easy going daughter did not mind what her mum wore for her summer bohemian style wedding at Soho Farm House.
Michele always dresses very stylishly and her daughter knew she would get it right. And she did! I made her a pink silk fitted dress with an Italian silk chiffon floaty coat.
Her wide brim hat was trimmed to match with a cluster of beading bringing in all the colours of the coat.
I also made her a pink silk clutch with a cluster of beading to match. Michele picked out the lime green from the floral print of the coat for her suede court shoes to add a bit of fun to her summer look.
Tihomira had a completely different challenge as her daughter was having a winter wedding in a Scottish castle.
It was a black-tie event and Tihomira and most of the women guests opted to wear long. I designed a beautiful silver and pewter embroidered tulle full-length gown with a pale grey silk lining.
The off the shoulder collar showed off Tihomira’s diamond and emerald pendant, something she was keen to wear as it was a gift from her husband.
The dress which featured a split up the side worked well for the Scottish and Bulgarian dancing – bringing the bride and groom’s cultures together on their special day.
There is so much choice for the mother of the bride but the most important thing is that you should feel comfortable – and if your heart hankers after a chic suit there are ways to dress it up or down.
If you would like a chat about your options, I am always happy to talk.
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