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WRITTEN BY Katie Day

CHOOSING THE PERFECT

mother’s gown

The mothers are a significant part of the wedding, and it’s important that they are wearing dresses that make them feel comfortable and beautiful.

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THE MOTHERS’ DRESSES ARE a key part of the wedding and finding that perfect look for the mother of the bride and mother of the groom can be a great time for the bride and the mothers to bond and create lifelong memories.

TREASURED MEMORIES

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The selection of the mother of the bride and mother of the groom gowns usually takes place after the bridal and bridesmaids’ gowns are chosen. The timeframe can vary from three to six months for picking the perfect gown for the individuals involved.

LOOKING AROUND“You should start looking about three to four months before the actual event,” says Denise Edwards of Terani Couture. Ivonne Dome, social occasion designer for Mon

Cheri, echoes Edwards timeline. The earlier the better,” says Dome. “Since styles are often ordered in a variety of colors and sizes, most mothers’ gowns are made to order.” Keep in mind that the dresses will need to be altered, just like the wedding gown, and the alterations may take multiple appoint-ments depending on the gown and designer chosen. By ordering the dresses in advance there will be plenty of time for fittings and alterations, and no one will feel rushed by a quickly approaching wedding date.

COLOR“When choosing a color, try to find some-thing complementary to the wedding party,” Dome says. Having similar colors will give the wedding a more unified look and feel. “Unless the bride requests otherwise, avoid wearing the exact same colors as the bridesmaids dresses and the dress of the other mother in the bridal party.”

Keep in mind that the dresses will need to be altered, just like the wedding gown, and the alterations may take multiple appointments.

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While the mothers’ dresses should be complementary to the wedding party, be sure the color is flattering to their skin tone. “You want to stay away from the darker colors,” says Edwards, as those colors are harsher and more likely to wash out the mothers’ complexion. Lighter, warmer colors such as tan, olive or light brown are the most flattering and will complement the majority of skin tones. “To avoid clashing with each other or the bridal party, it is essential for the mothers to communicate with each other prior to dress shopping,” says Dome. This will help ensure that both mothers find flattering colors that work together and tie in with the overall color scheme for the wedding.

STYLE AND FORMALITYAs far as style and formality go, there are no hard and fast rules. It’s best to do your research ahead of time, and stick with classic, flattering shapes. The mothers are a significant part of the wedding, and it’s important that they are wearing dresses that make them feel comfortable and beautiful. “Do some research before shopping,” Dome says. “Consider dress silhouettes that have made you feel beautiful in the past, and don’t be afraid to ask the consultants their opinion.” The formality of the event may be more difficult to pinpoint. It will be a big factor in the dress chosen, so be sure that everyone is on the same page. “If you’re unsure of the formality of the event, don’t be afraid to ask the bride and

Lighter, warmer colors such as tan, olive or light brown are the most flattering and will complement the majority of skin tones."

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groom to define it for you,” says Dome. There are certain cues that will help mothers determine the formality of the event, and what style of dress should be chosen. “Take into consideration the venue, the season, the time of day and the overall dress code of the wedding. Some weddings are black-tie, while others may be more casual.”

THE PERFECT GOWNWhen it comes time to select the style and color of the gown, it’s tradition that the mother of the bride chooses first. After the mother of the bride has chosen, then the mother of the groom usually selects a complementary style and color. “If this seems pushy, or makes the mother of the bride uncomfortable, a casual mention of her gown or a polite question of what she plans on wearing can help break the ice,” Dome suggests. “The bride could also intervene if necessary. No one should feel like it’s a competition.” While the decision of which dress to choose will be left to the mother of the bride and mother of the groom, they should be mindful that this is the bride’s big day. “Don’t try to outshine the bride!” says Edwards. “You don’t want to take the atten-tion away from her, so anything too flashy or something that’s not flattering to your figure you should stay away from.” “Avoid wearing ivory and white colored dresses,” Lake says. “You don’t want to clash with, or draw attention away from the bride.” Experts suggest having the bride shop individually with each mother, that way they can each pick dresses that they like, and find common ground. “Be open to new ideas,” Dome suggests. “Consider the feelings of the bride and find a style that makes you both feel beautiful and comfortable.”

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“The bride should have somewhat of a say on what dresses the mothers wear,” says Lake. “At the end of the day, it’s her day and you want her to be happy.”

ALTERATIONSOnce the dresses are chosen, it’s time for alterations. Make sure you do your research and find a reputable store, with an excellent seamstress. Each store will have a different timeline for alterations. When you order your gown, be sure you’re aware of how long alterations will take and how many appointments you’ll need. Dome recommends making your first alterations appointment the day you order your dress, that way you can stay on top of the fittings and give the seamstress sufficient time. “Keep in mind that no dress will be a perfect fit until it’s been altered properly,” says Dome. Mothers are a very important part of the wedding, so proper alterations are crucial to making the gowns a success. “Although the wedding is primarily about the bride and groom, mothers come in as a close second, so take your time finding the perfect dress.” Finding a flattering color, a complemen-tary style and the right formality may take some time, but use that time to bond with your mother and your soon to be mother-in-law. Take time looking around, doing research and trying on gowns. There is a perfect dress out there for all mothers. “Make sure that you enjoy this moment with your family,” Dome says. “It will be an experience to last a lifetime.” n

Avoid wearing ivory and white colored dresses; You don’t want to clash with, or draw attention away from the bride."