FAQ's about Mother of the bride/ groom dresses
What should the Mother of the bride/groom wear?
Naturally, you want to look and feel fabulous on the day your daughter or son gets married because while it's true that all eyes will be on the bride, they'll also be looking at you. I know, that probably gives you some anxiety thinking about it. But we really are here to help you. We pride ourselves on providing a relaxed and stress-free environment. My promise to you is you will NEVER find a pushy salesperson at our boutique. You may take all the time you need and try on as many dresses as you need. We will gather some information from you to help guide you in your selections. We are all so critical of ourselves that you will be pleasantly surprised by our empathetic, non-judgment safe space.
Long gone are the days when moms are supposed to look matronly, along with the advice that the groom's Mother should wear beige, unless, of course, that is your color; then we also have youthful selections in taupe and champagnes. Fashionable, tasteful, and age-appropriate are in.
Nowadays, virtually anything goes-formal gown, short or long, so long as it matches the wedding style. Brides can be very helpful by encouraging " the moms" to work together in choosing their outfits. Some guidelines to keep in mind:
Traditionally, the bride's Mother has the honor of selecting her outfit first.
Try not to choose the same or similar colors to the bride's and bridesmaids' dresses- you won't stand out.
Wear different colors from each other (MOB/ MOG). Variations in the wedding color scheme are acceptable as long as each Mother's dress is distinct.
Long dresses/gowns are acceptable for any wedding from noon on.
As a rule, the bride's Mother should always dress up for the occasion. This means no informal or casual wear. However, that does mean you have to wear a ball gown.
Tops 5 tips:
A specialty store, rather than a department store, will offer much more personalized attention throughout the process - from choosing a dress to making alterations to selecting just the right undergarments.
If possible, bring a swatch of the bridesmaids' gowns or have a description of the colors.
Order your outfit at least 3-4 months ahead, and allow at least 3 -4 weeks to do alterations. We know you will feel like putting this off till the last minute, but this does add to the stress of shopping for your gown. We often hear it's because you are actively losing weight or plan to. Almost every dress will need a few alterations for a tailored look, so buy early and plan your alterations 3-4 weeks before the wedding.
As for who calls whom to discuss "our outfits," the Mother of the bride; however, if the Mother of the groom hasn't heard anything once the initial wedding plans are underway, she is perfectly welcome to call the Mother of the bride.
Tips :
We realize our customers have different needs and personalities. Some of our customers will want to make a "shopping day" of visiting multiple boutiques in one day and possibly bring their best friends, daughter, or soon-to-be daughter; others will prefer to stop by on their lunch break to browse "check us out." We can accommodate both types of shoppers. We offer appointments for a more personalized experience with a stylist, or you may come by anytime during our open hours. Monday, Wednesday, Friday 10 am-6 pm, Saturday 12 pm-4 pm, Sunday 12 pm-4 pm.
FAQ's:
Can I purchase it off the rack?
Yes, you may. We only sell new gowns off the rack; we do not sell anything off the rack that shows any wear; those dresses become "samples."
How do special orders work?
We carry multiple sizes and colors of our latest collections. This allows you to try on your size and see the colors that your dress comes in. We measure according to the specific designer ( they are all different). Orders are only placed on styles that are available for immediate shipping, and we receive within 14 business days. Rush shipping may be available from some designers.
When do you recommend shopping for a Mother's dress?
We recommend at least six months before your event. Remember, we rotate our stock frequently, so if you love something, you should purchase it, as this style may not be available later. However, if you don't find "the one," visit us often.
How often do you restock evening gowns and Mothers' dresses?
We stock 3-4 times a year. January, March, June, October.
Will I need alterations?
To get the perfect tailored fit, we do recommend alterations. We work with a fantastic seamstress. All formal gowns are long; most require hemming unless you are 5'10 or taller. If you are concerned about losing weight between now and the big day, our seamstress can take in gowns up to 2 sizes (4 inches), or if stock levels are reasonable, we may recommend waiting until closer to the date to special order.
*We don't currently carry any pre-cut tea-length dresses; our designers cut all dresses to a standard length that didn't work for ladies under 5'7", so the dresses need to be hemmed to the appropriate length. We have decided to stock many different styles that will be beautiful cut to tea length to give you more options in tea length styles.
What is the difference between inexpensive online dresses and designer dresses?
The difference is #1 fit, #2 fabric, #3 design. We have a lot of customers that come to us that counterfeit online stores have badly burned; often, these ladies have lost hundreds of dollars. We do carry higher-end brands because of the quality and fit. We source gowns that flattery every figure from 24 to 0. Our gowns have built-in bras, hidden support panels, and forgiving, breathable fabric.