Mother of the bride

pollypenny

Is your daughter a bridezilla, OP.?

You're making a big fuss, anyway. Wear a smarter version of what you'd usually wear, not a track suit, of course.

I've been mother of the bride once and off the groom twice. Not one outfit cost a fortune and the last was from Marks outlet.

swingaloo

Im in my early 60s and got married in August last year. I had my dress and little jacket chosen weeks before but somehow never felt it was quite 'right'. Then a couple of weeks before someone said it was a lovely dress but a bit 'mother or the bride' rather than bride so I had to start again. I finally found a dress in Monsoon.

However I wouldnt bet on sweltering heat because its August. I had banked on it being a lovely day and had a garden party planned. It turned out to be the wettest day of the year. We had to stay sat in the car for over 10 minutes when we got to the registry office as even with a brolly I would have been soaked.

I hope you find the perfect outfit and I hope you have lovely weather. No one could have my luck!

SandC

Mumsie, you are going to be just fine.... you know what is right for you, doubtless your daughter does as well. Going away from your usual style would be a no-no if you ask me.

I too say why not make your own, or if you don't have time (sounds like this is the case!), see if you can find someone who will. I would go for the usual shape/style of something you are comfortable in and then use colour and fabric to 'spesh' it up for the day.

I hate fascinators too.

Let us know how you are getting on, your post made me chuckle. :-)

LilElvis

belfastgirl23 wrote: »

I ended up in Hobbs - they do some nice weddingy outfits that aren't too over the top and whilst they aren't cheap if you time it with a sale it's not too bad. The staff were also very nice in helping me make my mind up.

Shoes are the other nightmare of course. If you want or need to wear heels for the formal bit but aren't comfortable in them, bring a change of shoes for the rest of the day In fact bring a change of shoes anyway. There's nothing worse than women traipsing about with a face like fizz because their shoes are killing them!

I've got a long time to wait til I'll be a MOB, but I would second looking in Hobbs and taking flats too. Hobbs also do shoes and bags that colour coordinate with their clothing so you could get heels and flats that match. You will also find lots of their outfits on eBay - often worn once to the races/weddings. They do have a few outlet stores and an outlet section on their website too for money saving.

onlyroz

You're way overthinking this. It's just a dress. And if you don't want to wear makeup then don't. As long as you don't outshine the bride or turn up in a tracksuit nobody will care what you wear.

hazyjo

Plus - wedges are the way to go. Not too high. Gabor are pricey but VERY comfy and there are often some on the Jones the Bootmaker outlet site or on sale. I live in them! In fact, any of the wedge sandals on the Jones normal site would be good


Jx

pigpen

hazyjo wrote: »

Plus - wedges are the way to go. Not too high. Gabor are pricey but VERY comfy and there are often some on the Jones the Bootmaker outlet site or on sale. I live in them! In fact, any of the wedge sandals on the Jones normal site would be good


Jx

unless you are me.. because I find the utter rigid sole of a wedge impossible to stand in never mind walk.. give me a pair of 6 inch heel Irregular Choice any day! .. Always an awkward one haha.

maman

Hope the rant helped!!:D


Sounds like you're aware that you need to do something about your own outfit but snowed under with other things you've volunteered to do for the wedding.


I'd agree that the typical MoB outfits (Jacques Vert for example) are hideous. Just walking through their department in Debenhams makes me shudder.


I have been M0B twice.


The first time I bought a dark brown skirt suit from M&S which looked great with some fantastic heels from Russell and Bromley, a silk camisole and a champagne coloured hat. The skirt I wore for work for years afterwards, the hat was lent out to several friends and the camisole and shoes I still have. This was for a September wedding.


DD2's wedding was indoors at a country hotel in November. I had a shift dress with short bolero style jacket made by the same lady who did the bride and bridesmaid dresses. It was in a plain, purple raw silk. I could have made it myself but work was too manic at the time.


I'd suggest you make your own outfit. You sound to be an experienced dressmaker and also unlikely to want anything fancy. I'd suggest a simple dress in a natural fabric. If you don't want to have a jacket, cropped cardigans are popular at many weddings I've been to or a pashmina. If you don't like heels consider wedges (which can be perfect for walking on grass). Book an appointment with your hairdresser so it looks well groomed if not coloured. What matters is that you look co-ordinated and as if you've made an effort for your DD's big day.


Hopefully you'll feel better for letting off steam.:) Take a deep breath and do come back if you want advice.

hazyjo

pigpen wrote: »

unless you are me.. because I find the utter rigid sole of a wedge impossible to stand in never mind walk.. give me a pair of 6 inch heel Irregular Choice any day! .. Always an awkward one haha.

Haha there's always one


I actually change out of my flat shoes to drive and put my wedges/heels on lol. I can't reach the pedals properly in flats as my legs are short and my feet are small. Friends think I'm insane putting my wedges on and taking my flats off lol. So much comfier!


Jx

System

I was the Mother of the bride just 12 months ago and yes i found it difficult.

I'd been putting off looking for the ideal outfit for my daughters wedding for months and by chance walked through Debenhams just a month before my daughters wedding and saw the dress i liked that had just come in as new stock. Beautiful dress, edge to edge jacket, shoes, hat and bag to match.

The outfit was beautiful, whilst trying it on the customers in the shop said i looked beautiful in it. At the wedding itself i was told i looked wonderful in it. Even people i didnt know told my daughter how much they liked my outfit but... and it was a big but.... It weighed a ton. My daughter and husband kept on at me to keep my hat on at the reception but it gave me neck ache. Although the dress fit me perfectly i felt like i was weighed down with silk and lace. The lining made it hot and i felt uncomfortable and i felt like a beached whale.. Oh and i'd planned to wear nude coloured hosiery though hubby said i would look better in black opaques. I curse his choice every time i see myself in the wedding photographs. That will be the last time i listen to him when he gives me clothing advice.

The cost, even now it embaresses me to say how much it cost. I'd been able to pay for the dress and the jacket out of money i'd saved but hubby still had to pay for the hat, shoes and bag.

Lovely outfit but i dont think i did it justice and it certainly didnt feel right on me. Whatever you do. Dont do what i do and wait till a month beforehand and settle on an outfit.

I had a minor disaster too with my makeup. The outfit was silver and wanted to add a bit of warmth to my face so i bought an eyeshadow palette with a lovely warm coral shade in it. Heck when i applied it it looked orange! Back to the drawing board!

I learned my lessons from that day i can tell you.