MOTHERS OF THE BRIDE AND GROOM OUTFITS

Shopping, Links, Thoughts

Adult children engaged to be married bring mothers of the bride and groom enormous pride and joy.  The planning for the Mother of the Bride and Groom outfit begins once the rush of the wonderful news subsides.  Their outfits should be age appropriate, well fitted and comfortable, and may be coordinated with the color, theme and style of the bridal party.

Mothers coordinating their outfits has been a custom for several years. Attending other weddings, reading wedding magazines and visiting wedding attire shops can begin the process. Having an idea in mind as to style when beginning the search may also be a good idea. 

My daughter was recently asked to attend as bridesmaid in the wedding of one of her friends. The mother of the groom was upset through most of the planning stages for the wedding because not all her ideas were used.  The bride’s mother attempted to engage the groom's mother in the process of shopping for their outfits in keeping with the bride and groom's wishes and the physical attributes of the mothers to no avail. The bride’s mother selected her Mother of the Bride Outfit. It was elegant, stylish and flattering to most figures. She looked wonderful and was a compliment to the wedding. The groom’s mother chose as her Mother of the Groom Outfit to wear the same dress as the bridesmaids, but in a slightly different shade. Unfortunately, the outfit was not age appropriate or flattering to the groom's mother and she spent one of the most wonderful days she would ever have feeling remorseful.

There is no shortage of apparel choices for mothers of the bride and groom in any town in the country.  Designers have their product in larger metropolitan areas as well as specialty shops and department stores all 50 states.

Los Angeles         Denver               Nashville

San Francisco      Phoenix               Memphis

New York            Albuquerque        San Antonio

Chicago               Atlanta                Miami

A few thoughts.  When picking out a mother of the bride or groom dress, make sure to ask the bride if she has any particular style in mind and if possible, take her along for fittings and to help pick out what she may want for you to have and wear. She should have input if she wants it, but do not hesitate to speak up if the dress she prefers is unflattering or price is an issue.  Dress shops and department stores have designated mother of the bride and groom outfits.  Keep in mind that you don’t have to purchase your dress from a dress shop. Department stores sell formal dresses for certain times of the year. Guaranteed, those outfits will be lower priced than a dress in a specialty shop.

If, however, the bride has picked out something specific in a particular store, you may want to honor her by accepting her choice or at least considering her choice.  If price is an issue, remind her that you are on a budget and see if you can find something similar.  If she is still adamant, then compromise becomes the order of the day.

Mother of the Bride and Groom Outfit