Mother of the Wedding 411
THE DO’S AND DON’TS
• Do make sure you wear comfortable shoes. A wedding can make for a long day, so don’t skimp on comfort and your feet will thank you, or more importantly, not punish you. Select a shoe that will adjust to any “on your feet all day swelling” you may encounter. Check out brands like Onex.
• Don’t put off selecting your dress until the last minute. Delay can drastically limit your options. As a rule, special orders take between 12 and 16 weeks, so plan accordingly.
• Don’t count on weight loss. Ladies, we have all planned to lose ten pounds before a special event at one time or another in our life. That’s all fine and good; however, don’t select your dress or its size based on what “might” happen. Better goods can be easily altered should you in fact lose the weight. Purchase the dress that’s perfect for you just the way you are TODAY and we can also course-correct from there. Alterations and certainty are beautiful things – indulge in them.
• Do enjoy every step of the wedding, planning and dress selection included. This is a once in a lifetime event and you don’t want to ever look back and think I should have enjoyed it more. Live the moment – live for you!
• Don’t overload with opinions on your dress purchase. As a rule of thumb, count on the professional opinions of a well-educated savvy staff, such as that at Peneventures and one close trusted friend and perhaps (but not mandatory) the bride. Too many opinions, not unlike in the kitchen, can ruin the soup, leaving you without confidence or happiness with the selection you make.
• Do make sure that you use a competent seamstress. Altering a high-quality gown is not as simple as hemming a pair of slacks. As a result, look to a seasoned professional who specializes in better good.
• Don’t make a radical change to your hair or makeup right before the big event. This is often times a recipe for disaster. Plan any such changes well in advance of the date so you can make sure you love it and if you don’t, have plenty of time for the correction. Test it out – like a new food.
• Do consult with the bride regarding any wardrobe parameters you should be aware of for the “big day.” Good communication at the beginning and planning stages of the event will make for a happy, special day. Don’t be afraid of color. Neutrals and black are not the only range from which a mother of the wedding can select her apparel. There are a myriad of color options available to a variety of designers all of which are completely appropriate for either the mother of the bride or mother of the groom. Remain open to the options and don’t be afraid to walk on the wild side.
