
Always remember that your parents love you and have loved you from the first day. When your anxieties run high, they are an invaluable support system. They’ve spent so much energy over the years doing their best to raise you and now it’s time to plan one of the most important days in yours and their lives.
Lots of times, weddings are one of the only times families get together in a large group to celebrate. Remember your parents want to show you and your fiancé off to their siblings, families and friends. Also, if you come from a blended family with step-parents or siblings, remember they care about you and love you as well. Don’t forget about them.
It’s a nice touch to have the parents coordinate their outfits with the wedding party. You don’t want them to clash with the colour scheme! They can choose to purchase a dress in the same shade as the wedding party, or highlight the wedding colour in their accessories and corsage. Don’t forget to get boutonnières for the fathers as well.
Here are some basic rules mothers of the bride and groom should keep in mind when purchasing the attire you will be wearing to the wedding.
Rule One: never outshine the bride or groom. This is fairly simple and easy to adhere to.
Rule Two: don’t look like you are trying to outshine the bride. Once you go to clingy, ruffled or revealing you look like you are trying to steal the show from the happy couple.
Rule Three: only the bride may wear white and the parents shall not wear black. The exception to this rule is the fathers, as they can easily do a fantastic black tuxedo or suit, just as long as they don’t look better than the wedding party! Even thought this particular rule is being broken more often by guests, it is very inappropriate for mothers to do so. Wearing black to the wedding suggests you are not happy with this marriage taking place.
Rule Four: it is the happy couple’s day; keep your attire from causing whispers that would detract from them.
Rule Five: don’t wear anything too casual unless the wedding is a casual one.
Seems like a lot of restrictions, doesn’t it? Really, these days so many shops have come out with fantastic outfits for the parents that the selection is almost mind-boggling. No more do mothers have to wear the chiffon-covered pastel dress! A tailored two-piece suit with a mid-knee pencil skirt is almost universally flattering and feminine. If a pencil skirt doesn’t work with your body type, you can go for an A-line. If the wedding is a more formal affair, go with a long skirt.
Take a day and go out shopping for your outfit with your child. Do lunch, try things on and ask for their opinion. It will give you some bonding time and alleviate some of the stress that comes along with planning the wedding day.