Wedding Planning
The mother of the bride shopping guide.
The mother of the bride has one of the most important looks of the wedding, and one of the most underdiscussed shopping experiences. This guide covers timing, coordination, style decisions, and what to expect at Boulevard Bride when you book a mother's appointment.
When to start shopping
The standard recommendation is to begin shopping six to eight months before the wedding. That timeline accounts for the possibility of ordering a special-order gown, which can take two to four months to arrive, and leaves adequate time for alterations.
Earlier is always better. Beginning ten months out means no timeline pressure and the full range of available styles. Beginning three months out may still be workable but narrows your options to gowns that can ship quickly or are already in stock.
Mothers often need to coordinate with each other — the mother of the bride and mother of the groom should not arrive in the same or clashing color. Coordinate early, even if neither mother has chosen her gown yet. Agreeing on a color family before shopping begins makes every decision easier.
Color coordination: the practical rules
The primary color constraint is the bride's gown. Mothers should never wear white, ivory, or any shade that could be confused with the bride's dress from a distance.
Beyond that, the mother of the bride typically selects her color first, then shares it with the mother of the groom so both can find something that coordinates without matching exactly.
The most popular colors for mother's dresses at Boulevard Bride include navy, champagne, dusty rose, silver, and various jewel tones. Seasonality matters: champagne and blush are popular in spring and summer; navy, burgundy, and forest green read well in fall and winter.
The mothers do not need to match each other. Complementary colors — navy and champagne, for example — photograph beautifully together without requiring identical choices.
What to look for in fit and style
A wedding day is long. The best mother-of-the-bride dress is one that is as comfortable at 11 p.m. as it was at the ceremony. Fabric comfort, ease of movement, and a construction that does not require constant adjustment are practical priorities.
A-line silhouettes are universally flattering and allow easy movement. Three-quarter sleeves provide formality and arm coverage. Chiffon overlays add elegance without heat. Gowns with inner boning or structure hold their shape without a slip.
Boulevard Bride carries mother's gowns from Dessy Group, MGNY by Morilee, Primavera Couture, and Marsoni for special-order styles. Off-the-rack styles from Jovani, Montage, and Cameron Blake are also available for brides who need something immediately or prefer a more casual price point.
What to expect at your appointment
Mother's appointments at Boulevard Bride run 45 minutes to an hour. The appointment is one-on-one with a stylist who focuses exclusively on you during that window.
Bring a photo of the bride's gown if you have one, or at minimum a description of the color, fabric, and silhouette. Bring photos of the venue if you have them. Share the color the other mother is considering, if that has been decided.
Alterations are typically needed on mother's gowns as well. The same principles apply as for bridal gowns: plan for an 8-to-12-week alteration window before the wedding, and budget the alteration cost separately from the gown price.
FAQ
Common questions
When should the mother of the bride buy her dress?
Six to eight months before the wedding is the standard recommendation. That gives enough time for a special-order gown to arrive and allows adequate time for alterations. Beginning earlier, at ten or twelve months, is never a disadvantage.
Does the mother of the groom need to coordinate her dress with the mother of the bride?
Yes, in color family if not in exact shade. The two mothers should not arrive in the same color or in clashing shades that will read as uncoordinated in photos. A conversation early in the planning process — even a quick text agreeing on a color direction — prevents this problem.
What colors work best for mother of the bride dresses?
The most consistently popular choices are navy, champagne, dusty rose, silver, and jewel tones. Avoid white, ivory, and any shade close to the bride's gown. Beyond that, the best color is one that works with your skin tone, the wedding color palette, and the season.
What size range does Boulevard Bride carry in mother's gowns?
Mother's gown samples at Boulevard Bride range from size 6 to 26W. Gowns from special-order designers can be ordered in sizes 0 to 34W.
By Appointment
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