Mother of the bride

spirit

I was MOB in Florida last week so can relate to the heat thing, but heat in an English August? Mostly they are dull and cool.


The other stuff I can relate to too. I work from home so don't normally dress up for anything. However, this is a special day for you. I found a lot of boring, frumpy stuff, but there is also some nice 'occasion wear' around at the moment.


I got my dress from House of Fraser, but Debenhams also stocks Jacques Vert clothes. Some of their range is naff, but look closely and there are some nice pieces. Try also Coast in Debenhams.


I don't do foundation make up but do wear eye makeup and lippie, try some colours out to see what you like. I dye my own hair but have it cut at the hairdressers regularly. I also go to the salon to get my eyebrows done and pedicure. I'd do those things normally anyway.


You just have to think that the wedding pics will be around for years. Your daughter will be looking at them long after you are gone I expect, so just ensure that you look however you want to be remembered.


Other than that, don't stress. As MOB from the date the couple announced it, we have had great fun organising things, choosing her dress etc. We only had a minor hiccup with the bride's dress and that was a mess up from the shop/manufacturer. DD wasn't a bridezilla and we all had a lovely time last week.


Just enjoy it and as the others have said, don't overthink it.

thriftyemma

OP, don't be dictated by convention. A lot of MOB outfits are these hideous monstrosities that weigh a ton and only look good on the very slim, very young models in the picture. If it's not you, don't wear it.

My MIL was MOG to her second son at Christmas. She has quite bad eczema and allergies, so can only wear man-made fibres for a couple of hours, tops. She knew the bride wanted a very particular look for the photos, so she chose an elegant, but comfortable, cocktail dress. As soon as the photos were done, she whipped the dress off. She wore a very beautiful cotton lined evening dress. Light, delicate, and extremely comfortable. She also popped on flat shoes.

I agree with other posters, if you are confident in making your own dress, do it that way. I'm sure your local haberdashers will have patterns if you need inspiration. Perhaps you could chose a more 'traditional MOB' design, but make it in a fabric that suits you better?

I'm sure your daughter will value your happiness on the day over looking 'perfect' for the photos. Talk to her, and tell her your ideas.

lisa110rry

I was MOG in 2012, in February, on a beach, in Thailand. I ended up bare-footed, in white linen trousers, white camisole and a silk tunic with assymmetric hem which was not only hand sewn to order but actually dyed specially, and a flower in my hair rather than on my non-existent lapel. It was the only way I could be absolutely certain I wouldn't be dressed like one of the guests, not many summer fashions out there suitable for a very hot beach in January!

With a remnant of the fabric, a small "show hanky" was hand rolled for my husband's breast pocket, bringing us together colour-wise.

The ensemble was deemed very suitable by bride and groom and the wedding was magical.

libra10

Mumsie, I know exactly what you're going through, as I am in the same situation. My daughter is getting married in October at a 'posh' hotel, and we're booked in for two nights.


I haven't yet started looking for MOB outfits as I'm trying to lose some weight. Being under 5ft in height and feeling comfortable in trousers and tops, I don't 'do' posh occasion wear. But I know that I will have to try and find something within the next 2/3 months. And hardly any outlets sell size 2 shoes! The only item that I'm confident buying will be the handbag.


Am going to check out Debenhams and looking online, but I know whatever I buy will need to have both hem and sleeves shortened.


Hope everything goes well for you Mumsie, am sure that it will. Lots of good advice in the thread.

pigpen

libra.. ASOS do teeny tiny dresses.. they put them on models that are 9ft 2 so they look like they forgot to put on their trousers but on us normal sized people they are a reasonable length and do not show our underwear! .. We are a Munchkin family too. I also find empire line (as I am a bit porky) and halterneck/strappy.. no sleeves to shorten and 'knee-length' becomes mid-calf/floor length ... worth a try .. My girls wear Hellbunny dresses but I'm guessing they will not be to your taste!

Tigsteroonie

I didn't even know there were such things as specific MOB outfits. I always presumed that mothers wore what they wanted!

libra10

Thanks pigpen, will check out ASOS. Have never heard of Hellbunny dresses, will look it up on Google.


Tigsteroonie - I think - to a certain extent - mother of brides/grooms can wear what they want, as long as they don't frighten the guests. Which could happen in my case

onlyroz

Tigsteroonie wrote: »

I didn't even know there were such things as specific MOB outfits. I always presumed that mothers wore what they wanted!

Glad I'm not the only one. The idea of the mother-of-the-bride being told what to wear is utterly baffling.

arbrighton

the first thing my mum said when we were engaged was 'I don't have to wear a hat do i?' and she's never worn make up or heels in her life! We went to John Lewis and she tried on a few Phase Eight dresses and got a 'prom style' one but suited her and comfortable to her. She did have to change into her one black bra of a different shape to her regular one to avoid it being on show but other than that nothing special or specifically MOB about it.

As for the cake, photos etc, are you really happy to do all of it or is it a great deal of stress that you could do without? Mum helped organise stuff for ours but only limited parts, and gave a reading on the day itself. A friend was going to do the cake but in the end, had to get the pros to do it. Far easier although a slightly stressful journey for me to pick it up and drop it to venue.

Tigsteroonie

arbrighton wrote: »

the first thing my mum said when we were engaged was 'I don't have to wear a hat do i?'

LOL - when the Ex and I married c.20 years ago, our dress code was "Hats will be worn" :rotfl: We took the opportunity to get everybody at the wedding to wear a hat, and we had some corkers!