Weddings are such a wonderful occasion and are fun to plan and dress for. As the mother of the bride or groom, you’ll want to look your best along with the bride and her attendants. Follow this guide to choose the best mother of the bride dress for the special day.

How to Choose a Mother of the Bride Dress 

1. Consult the Bride

While the bride doesn’t need to select the dress for you, it’s important that you understand her wishes for the overall look and feel of the event. Honor the tone of the wedding, even if it isn’t quite your style. Consider her plans for hair and makeup styling as well. You’ll want to look great but not stand out from the rest of the party by being too formal or casual.

2. Give Yourself Time

With all the bustle around the wedding gown and bridesmaids’ dresses, it may be easy to forget about mom’s dress. But both the mother of the bride and groom need time to shop for a dress that flatters and can be altered if need be. Choosing the dress 3 to 4 months ahead of the ceremony is a good rule of thumb, and gives time to shop for shoes and accessories too.

3. Color Coordinate With the Wedding Party

Generally, the mothers will want to coordinate with colors the couple has chosen for the event. The two dresses don’t have to be the same, but should complement the overall look. Many bridal boutiques will have options for mothers’ dresses in the same color scheme as bridesmaids’ gowns, so look while shopping for the girls. Some experts say that the mother’s dress should be similar, but not match in color; for example, if the bridesmaids are in turquoise, mom should be in navy. But this is up to the bride. Just don’t wear the same color as the bride herself (unless she wants you to).

4. Take Cues From the Venue

If the wedding is at the beach or outdoor location, it may be appropriate to wear a more casual dress and shoes. A grand church wedding and sit-down dinner call for more elegant cocktail attire. Keep in mind factors such as weather, how far and over what kind of terrain will you have to walk (if an outdoor wedding or reception). Will the outfit require a wrap? A garden party hat? The venue can help you narrow down dress choices.

Choosing a mother of the bride dress is important, so give yourself time and talk early with your daughter about options. Memories Bridal & Prom Formal Wear, in Middletown, OH, offers an extensive selection of dresses for mothers, bridesmaids, and brides. This locally owned shop offers formalwear for proms and homecoming and tuxedo rentals too. Call (513) 727-8770 to consult with the team or visit the website to see examples in the collection.