As mother of the bride – what are you going to wear?  Many of the same questions that we ask brides can and should apply to you as well.

Questions like:

Is the event formal or informal?  Are you indoors or outside?  What is the theme of the wedding?  What types of decorations are going to be involved?  What are the wedding party colors?

With answers to these questions you (as mother of the bride) or soon to be mother in law can then make a decision on what type of attire is best.  These answers will make hunting for “just” the right dress much easier for you. 

If you have an outdoor themed wedding like Western or Beach or Casual then maybe you already have something that would be appropriate in your closet.  If not, then with a theme you know where to look for your wedding attire. You also have to be concerned about shoes.  If you have a beach wedding then you would want to wear some type of sandal, but if it is western then boots would seem totally appropriate.  If it is formal, then pumps with heels would be the best fit. 

Formal gowns for mothers are often available at the same locations as bridal dresses.  The big box stores have almost everything now from the Bridal gowns, brides maids dresses to mother of the bride/mother in law dresses.  They can and will often order dresses for you as well.  Be prepared that if you order a dress you should do so months in advance to be sure that it arrives in time is the proper dress you ordered in the size and color you specified.  Getting a dress from the same location as the bridal gown & other dresses can also help you to coordinate the accessories as well, so that compliment the entire event and do not clash.  You might find a shade of gown that works well on you but Orange just doesn’t go with the “pink” theme of the wedding for instance.

Having coordinated looks also makes the pictures look GREAT and helps with the overall feel of the wedding.  Everyone will be happy.

Be prepared also to try on and assess several dresses before you purchase.  Just like a wedding gown, you may want to weigh you options and then make your final decision after shopping for awhile.   If you find accessories first, then you may have to coordinate the dress and that could be a challenge, but an exciting hunt for just the “perfect” gown.

Good luck with your hunting and know that what you choose will reflect on the overall event and feel of how the day is finalized.  Enjoy.