Back in the day, wedding dress codes were quite strict, clearly dictating what people should wear when attending these types of celebratory events, so the options used to be rather limited, not leaving much wiggle room for creativity or personal marks when choosing attires. Fortunately, times have changed and with them wedding dress codes have changed too, becoming more lenient. Formality has given way to more casual gowns, so people nowadays enjoy greater freedom in the choice of their wedding outfits.
However, this doesn’t mean one can wear whatever they want, with no regard to traditions and customs. A wedding is certainly not the time or place to spot jeans and sneakers, or flaunt an extremely revealing outfit. These are semi-formal affairs, so the happy couple, as well as those in attendance, should dress accordingly. Therefore, while modern wedding etiquette may be more relaxed, certain unwritten rules around wedding attire still linger, especially when it comes to immediate family members.
As the mother of the bride, you play a special role on your child’s big day as you’ll most likely be involved in all aspects of planning and step in to make sure everything runs smoothly during the ceremony and festivities. Besides, watching your daughter start a new chapter in her life, this occasion also marks a very important and emotional moment in your life as well.
So, even if you’re busy with all the preparations and overwhelmed with emotions, you still need to focus on yourself a bit and choose a great outfit (or more) for this special occasion. But what exactly does that mean nowadays? With so many style options for mother of the bride dresses available, making the right choice might be trickier than expected. So, here are a few recommendations that can point you in the right direction.
Adapt To The Formality Of The Event And Venue
Mother of the bride gowns come in a large variety of styles, shapes and colors, ranging from casual to dressy to ultra-sophisticated. If you’re worried that you’re going to be over or underdressed, the easiest way to put your concerns to rest and ensure your outfit doesn’t look out of place is to have it match the wedding’s level of formality, venue or theme.
If the wedding takes place during the day, in a less formal setting like a garden or on the beach, you can wear something more casual like a breezy sundress with floral patterns and choose lighter colors. If it’s a black-tie event, a floor-length elegant dress would be more appropriate. You should also take into account the venue and overall ambience of the event. For a tropical wedding destination, airy fabrics and laid-back styles are better suited, while a wedding in a stately home would demand more traditional attire.
Strike A Balance Between Style And Comfort
While you may want to put together an amazing outfit for your daughter’s wedding, you also need to make sure you wear something that is comfortable and allows you to move around with ease since you’ll have a long day ahead of you, acting as a host, participating in photo shoots, going from one place to another, dancing and socializing.
Look for a dress that flatters your figure and makes you feel confident, but stay away from gowns that are too stiff, tight or restrict your movements. On a similar note, you also need to choose your shoes carefully, making sure they match the style of your dress and fit properly, because having sore feet can ruin your whole mood. You might want to wear the shoes around the house for a bit to break them in and guarantee they won’t cause any blisters.
Take A Cue From The Event’s Décor And Theme
One simple trick to narrow down your options and make a smart choice is to coordinate your outfit with the wedding theme and décor. However, this implies walking a fine line because you should only use the wedding’s color palette and style as a source of inspiration and not match them exactly, as you’ll run the risk of fading into the background like a chameleon, and that’s not the kind of look you want to give.
If the wedding has a specific concept style or theme, like retro elegance or boho, things are even simpler. This means you need to pick an outfit that fits the aesthetic chosen by the bride and the groom.
Embrace The Less Is More Approach
Simplicity is the ultimate form of sophistication, so you can stand out at your daughter’s wedding not by choosing an extravagant dress with tons of embellishments or adorning your outfit with opulent accessories but by wearing a simple and gracious gown that exudes refinement, femininity and timeless charm.
Dresses with clean and simple lines, subtle details and classic silhouettes will help you achieve an effortlessly elegant look that is sure to make an impression. What’s more, simple gowns offer versatility, allowing you to dress up or down and transition your outfit from day to evening with just a few quick accessory swaps.
Take The Traditional Route
While traditional attires have long ceased to be the norm at wedding celebrations and couples can now choose what styles they want to wear on their special day, there’s nothing stopping you from taking the safe route and choosing a traditional gown like a Banarasi saree or a Kanjivaram saree. You can never go wrong with a luxurious silk saree in a rich color. Style it sensibly so you don’t outshine the bride, and wear it proudly. The most important thing is to feel comfortable and pick an outfit that you truly enjoy.
As you can see, as the mother of the bride, you have plenty of outfit options available. With these guidelines in mind, the process of finding the perfect wedding attire should become a lot smoother.
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