My mom and I have been dress shopping for week's now for the perfect Mother of the Bride dress. When we first started shopping, we had no idea of what worked and what did not work. Below is a summary of everything that we learned throughout our journey.
The Mother of the Bride should determine the style of dress, then let the Mother of the Groom know. It is up to the bride whether or not she would like to be a part of the decision. The first big decision is knee length or long dresses. Both my mom and Phil's mom were adamant about having shorter dresses.
The biggest issue we ran into with the shorter length dresses is findingn a dress that would make the moms stand out in comparison to the rest of the wedding guests. We were buying off the rack, so it made it even harder. Finding dresses with lace, embellishments, and additional details will help a shorter length dress pop. Jewelry and shoes can help add the wow factor as well.
Mother of the Bride dresses look best if they coordinate with the style of the bride's wedding dress. If you are wearing a ballgown, the MOB dress should also be formal. If you are hosting a rustic outdoor wedding, the MOB dress should be more laid back.
From pastels to bold colors, you can find MOB dresses in any color. Some MOBs try to do a slightly different color than the bridesmaid dresses, and some do their own thing. My favorite is when a MOB selects a dress that is in the same tones as the bridesmaids, but is not the same color. If the bridesmaids are wearing a pale pink, the MOB could wear a pale blue or soft grey. Keep in mind this is a great opportunity to take family photos, so make sure the colors work together!
There are a few colors that you should stay away from black and white. Dress in black and you will look like you are going to a funeral. Dress in white and you will look like you are trying to outshine the bride. Other than that, have fun and be creative with whatever direction you choose.
There are a few colors that you should stay away from black and white. Dress in black and you will look like you are going to a funeral. Dress in white and you will look like you are trying to outshine the bride. Other than that, have fun and be creative with whatever direction you choose.
For 2013, the trends are bright, saturated colors or pastel muted pallets. These are the colors I loved when dress shopping with my mom:
For a shorter dress, you have to be careful with the length of the dress. A dress that cuts off at the knee or slightly above will work perfectly. Anything higher may look a little too sexy. You also want to be careful with the neckline and fit of the dress. It is okay to show off your shape, but avoid dresses that are too form fitting or expose too much skin around the neckline. My mom and I love the look of being able to show skin at the neckline through lace. Check out the dress below.
Alterations can be very pricey (sometimes $45 to $60). Pay attention to the dress' details to ensure it can be tailored easily or not at all. The great thing about off the rack is you can usually find something that fits very well from the start. You usually only have to worry about alterations if you are planning on ordering the MOB dress from a bridal salon.
The good news is that you don't have to buy a traditional MOB dress from a bridal salon. Popular department stores like Nordstrom and Nieman Marcus sell gorgeous dresses online, and you can always find something gorgeous off the rack.
Dresses from a bridal salon can range from $80 at David's Bridal to $350+ for a higher end bridal designer. Nordstrom has a great selection of dresses for ~$150, and Nieman Marcus can be slightly more expensive ~$250.
Some of my favorite brands include Tadashi Shoji, Sue Wong, and Adrianna Papell.
Let me know if you have any other questions. I am happy to provide advice.
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