But with so many options to choose from on the shelf, locking down which is the ideal look to suit both your figure and occasion is a whole other ballgame. Luckily, there are a few rules of thumb you can keep in mind when you’re on that big adventure of snapping up modern mother of the bride dresses, anywhere in Australia.
1. Keep the bride in mind
It goes without saying, but the best way to find your dream dress for the big day is to keep the bride’s look in mind. If it’s the only rule you really take away from this article, it’s the most important.
So listen carefully: examine the colour, styleand cut of the bridal gown, and complement your own outfit accordingly. Is it highly formal, or is it more toned down? As the mother, you should be able to go hand-in-hand with your daughter’s look and feel, especially because you’ll be a major part of the bridal party. If in doubt, ask the bride.
2. Find inspiration from the wedding party
You’ve already catered to the bride, but now it’s time to consider the wider wedding party. It’s usually the golden rule that dresses for the
mother of the bride support the colour palette of the entire party. But this doesn’t mean you have to play matchy-matchy.
The best way to manoeuvre this is to hold off purchasing an outfit until your daughter has picked out the bridesmaid dresses. Then you can take into consideration fabrics, colours and styles of their garments and choose
something that looks a part of the collection.
However, it’s important that you don’t pick too closely to the wedding party itself. For example, if they’re asked to wear a vibrant hue or tone, you might want to choose something that’s on the deeper side of that colour, just so you pair nicely. If they wear black, choose silver or grey to go hand-in-hand without overdoing it.
3. Communication is key
It’s usually the golden rule to start looking for your mother of the bride outfit around four to three months before the actual wedding. Opting to delay this will mean you run the risk of not having enough time for necessary
alterations, tailor-made orders or delivery.
While off-the-rack might do the job for what you’re after, you may be looking for something more personalised from a boutique, and these do typically require a lead up to secure your order. In some cases, it’s considered the protocol for the mother of the bride to purchase her dress first, and then communicate her choice with the mother of the groom.
This isn’t customary, but it’s an approach many over the years have chosen to include in their wedding lead-up. While you most likely needed the time to pin-down your perfect dress, remember that the mother of the groom will too, so leave plenty of time to cater to both parties.
4. Start dolling up before the big day
Hair and makeup can come in all forms, but remember to keep it to your own taste and style. Consider the overall occasion and what the bride will most likely adopt for her own look, then tailor accordingly. Above all, it should reflect who you are.
Before the day, grab yourself a bit of ‘me’ time to get a manicure and pedicure, and on the actual morning, have your makeup and hair done. It also doesn’t hurt to try on your whole outfit and potential hair and makeup look before the big day, just to make sure it all ties in together nicely.
5. Decide the level of coverage you desire
For some women, showing a bit of skin is preferred. For a majority of mother of the brides, however, coverage is usually included around the arms or shoulders. This doesn’t mean you have to choose one that has sleeves whether you choose sleeveless or not is ultimately up to your own style and comfort.
Additionally, you can always add on alblazer or wrap to top off the look, if you’re looking for extra coverage (particularly helpful with weather and climate).
6. Choose accessories that amp up the look
Modern mother of the bride dresses in Australia typically feature a few accessories that put the cherry on top subtly. You don’t want to overdo it here, but a few strategically chosen pieces – like a shawl, necklace or a purse – can really bring the entire outfit together. If the dress you’ve chosen is missing a little bit of ‘oomph’, adding a dazzling pair of earrings or dramatic necklace can splash in that little something extra.
7. Above all, be you
There’s no point choosing an outfit that doesn’t reflect who you are or stay true to your own personality. On the day, you want to feel comfortable and confident as the mother of the bride, so choose carefully according to what will help you enjoy the day most. If you’re not sure where to start, browse our mother of the bride collection, sit down and brainstorm with your daughter – communication goes a long way.