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Mother of the Bride Dresses

The days of pastels, shades of beige and conventional silhouettes are no more. Mother of the bride dresses have become glamorous runway fashion worthy attire. The modern trends provide the mother of the bride freedom of elegant expression, while complimenting the bride, the colors and the theme in a way like never before. The days of cocktail jackets are over, and new trends are here to follow.

Mother of the Bride Dresses

While modern trends give the mother of the bride design freedom, there are some guidelines to follow. The advice is usually to follow the bride’s guidance when it comes to the style and color of mother of the bride dresses. This is probably good advice for a reason. A wedding is about the bride and groom. They set the stage and tone for the occasion. If it is a formal event, mother of the bride dresses should be too. Hesitate before making the purchase, and ask the bride for a few guidelines and ideas to follow.

Mother of the Bride Dresses and the Bridesmaids


To match or not to match? Tradition has it that mother of the bride dresses should match the wedding party. If that is the rule, it might be a good idea to wait until the bridesmaid dresses have been chosen before shopping. While that is tradition, brides do not always want the bridesmaid dresses to match mother of the bride dresses. With the bride’s approval, contrasting colors and shades are acceptable. For example, if bridesmaids are wearing navy, mother of the bride dresses could be silver or gold. Wearing white requires special permission from the bride. Usually, the golden rule about color is: do not wear the same color as the bride. Take the role as the mother of the bride, and compliment her, rather than taking the show.


When to make the Purchase


Bridesmaid dresses are usually purchased about five to six months prior to the wedding. Mother of the bride dresses should be purchased at least three months prior to the wedding. Choosing a dress sooner than later is always the best advice. According to tradition, mother of the bride dresses are purchased prior to the mother of the groom. However, the dresses are not required to match.


Mother of the Bride Dresses and the Venue


Mother of the bride dresses must be approved by the bride, coordinate with color scheme and bridal party, and be appropriate for the venue. When the ceremony takes place inside of a church, dresses are usually slightly more conservative with a sleeve, rather than strapless. Beach weddings might call for shorter or less formal dresses with different sleeve options.


Fitting for Mother of the Bride Dresses


Just as with the wedding dress and bridesmaid dresses, mother of the bride dresses require fitting. Every mother has a unique body type, and this makes choosing the silhouette of the dress an important choice. Mother of the bride dresses can be a sheath gown, ball gown, A-line, empire, or mermaid dress. Take the bride along for the important decision, and make it a special moment to remember forever.

Crystal Ballroom BeachPlace


Perfect mother of the bride dresses match the theme and color scheme of a wedding or provide the right amount of contrast to compliment the bride and bridal party. Crystal Ballroom's vendor connections can help you find the perfect dress. The designers at Crystal Ballroom are the finest in the art of designing and creating fairy tale weddings to match the dresses of your dreams.

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Discover the Crystal Ballroom experience. Imagine your unique moments during a guided tour behind the scenes, and receive a consultation with our planning professionals. 

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