Notes from the Mother of the Bride, Part Two
To celebrate Mother’s Day we’re talking to one of our Mother’s of the Bride to hear their take on their daughter’s wedding day. Today we’re continuing our chat with Part Two of our Notes from the Mother of the Bride…
Penny, you looked fabulous on Lizzy’s wedding day. Choosing ‘the outfit’ can be so difficult! How did you decide on what to wear?
There were plenty of ideas going around in my head about what to wear from sophisticated to the wackier and ‘out there’! I often wear a classic shift style dress & jacket if I need to be smart at work and whilst I know that this style suits me it felt a bit too ‘every day’ and what people might expect me to wear. I knew that I didn’t want a traditional MoB outfit from a bridal shop.
There was plenty of internet searching looking at the high street store ranges, some of the new British designers & the wedding shop ranges. I also started looking at dress patterns and fabrics and had spied some fabulous fabric in Liberty’s as my fall back option.
I knew that I wanted to wear something ‘floaty’ and with a classic style that was comfortable and easy to wear. I wanted to complement Elizabeth’s dress and the overall style of the wedding and something that I could wear again.
It is difficult to shop for an autumn wedding when the shops are full of summer styles and then summer sales!
Elizabeth & I decided to have a personal shopping session in Fenwicks store in Bond Street. We had a very successful day there buying Jack’s mum’s outfit so Elizabeth arranged the same for me.
I had already had a look around the store a few weeks earlier and tried on a couple of dresses, including the one that I eventually chose. The personal shopper certainly fulfilled the brief of ‘wackier’ and ‘out their’, it was great to try these styles on, laugh a lot and decide that they weren’t for me. We searched out the dress I had already seen and when I put it on we had the reverse bride to be:mother dress moment – my face lit up. With the help of some objective styling from Jason; serious heels (that I didn’t have on the day) an amazing hatinator from the millinery department, bag, wrap etc I had my dress and ideas on how to finish the overall styling.
Rather unconventionally my dress was an abstract off white and black pattern. It was a from the Italian Marella range. A simple style with slight blouson top, elbow length cape style sleeves and a full skirt that moved beautifully when I spun around. A wool pashmina and appropriate height heels, both in a bright orange, a hired black and white hatinator & a borrowed black evening bag from Elizabeth’s collection completed the ensemble!
MoB Blog The dress was so comfortable and easy to wear. The hatinator came off after the photo’s and the shoes lasted all day & evening!
What is your advice for a happy marriage?
Show appreciation for the things that are done rather than pick up on the things that haven’t been done. Be patient & kind.
Do you have any tips for on the day?
Go with the flow, remember what matters, little things that might be forgotten or not happen are not really that important!
Have a time plan for the morning when you are all getting ready; organise nibbling food and easy drinks whilst you are all getting ready.
Can you summarise how you felt as Mother of the Bride on the day?
Very very happy!
Relived that we had you both helping to co-ordinate the day, it made everything so much more relaxing and enjoyable. I had no idea that one of the suppliers had got stuck trying to get off the field in the evening!
It was an exhilarating day, seeing Elizabeth and Jack so happy & beaming at everyone throughout the day was joyous. All the thoughtful things people did and said will be a lasting memory.
Huge delight and immense pride in watching Elizabeth’s dad stand up outside his comfort zone & deliver the most heartfelt speech.
Enormous pride in Elizabeth & Jack and our families and friends who made the day so so beautiful.
Do you have any ‘take aways’ or final thoughts you’d like to share?
Yes, some things to think about for after the day… What to do with all the floral arrangements, from the bridal bouquets to venue arrangements. There are some great ideas on the internet.
How to clean & store your daughters dress. Elizabeth’s had a dunk in the bath with some wool washing powder, a gentle rub, a brush with an old toothbrush a roll between some large bath towels and then dried hanging in a sunny window!
Thank you so much for your wise words Penny, you will be helping so many other Mothers of the Bride! It was a pleasure to be a part of Lizzy & Jack’s day, and we loved getting to know you all.
V&C x