Mothers of the Bride: How to Find the Perfect Look for the Big Event

Image : http://www.flickr.com

These days, weddings are some of the most fashionable affairs anywhere. The bride is breathtaking, the bridesmaids are stunning, and the groom and his groomsmen are handsome and polished.

But let's not forget about the mother-of-the bride.

The proud matriarch deserves to look her best at this monumental event, as well. So here are some gorgeous choices for the mother-of-the bride.

Two-Piece Stretch Taffeta Outfit

This sapphire-colored taffeta ensemble is both modern and elegant. The ruffled neckline is the most distinguishing characteristic of this short-sleeve top with jeweled buttons. The other piece is a flattering stretch trumpet skirt which is simple and comfortable.

One-Shoulder Sueded Charmeuse Side Drape Dress

For the mother who wants to look almost as stunning as her daughter, the dramatic one-shoulder neckline features a side drape that creates a slimming silhouette. The dress is made of soft-sueded gold charmeuse, which accentuates all the right curves.

3/4 Brocade Jacket & Chiffon Pant Set

This is ideal for the mother of the bride who prefers something other than an opulent dress. The three-quarter length heather-colored brocade jacket with three-button front is accented beautifully with a black ribbon at the waist. The black pants are constructed of comfy and versatile chiffon.

Shantung Short Bolero Jacket Dress

This outfit has more wear-again appeal than most mother-of-the-bride dresses available today. The slimming shantung above-the-knee dress has a tank silhouette and a ruched waist and comes in eggplant or silver. It can be worn with or without the bolero jacket and its uniquely ruffled neckline.

Portrait Collar Knit Dress with Lace Skirt

This outfit reveals the perfect blend of sophistication and edginess. The black knit bodice features an attractive portrait collar which extends off the shoulders. It contrasts nicely with the slim lace skirt, which is artfully beaded.

Two Piece Floral Jacquard Suit with Rosette Detail

This two-piece selection is for the woman who is seeking a more traditional look. The entire outfit is made of stylish silver jacquard fabric with a radiant floral print. The three-quarter length jacket features a rosette detail on the singular button along with a portrait collar, while the knee-length skirt is flattering and slimming.

Side-Draped Tank Jersey Dress with 3/4 Jacket

For the lady who desires comfort without sacrificing appearance, this dress's relaxing jersey fabric in gorgeous eggplant is carefully fashioned with a tank bodice and a goddess-like side drape. Rhinestones trim the three-quarter length jacket to give the outfit a dash of dazzle.

Satin Twill Bolero and Mock Two-Piece Dress with Beaded Detail

This almond-colored ensemble provides a classic and sophisticated look. The three-quarter sleeve bolero is made of satin twill and is adorned with beaded detail. It covers a spaghetti strap chiffon dress with ruched detail on the top, and the modern skirt will flatter any woman's body.

Chiffon Tier One-Shoulder Dress with Scarf

Sometimes, the mother-of-the-bride wants to turn a few heads as well. This purple, ankle-length chiffon tiered dress with a divine one-shoulder design will accomplish that. The scarf can be carried, worn, or converted into a flattering cover up.

Long Chiffon Beaded Waist Dress

Its ivory color and its classic lines evoke images of stately Greek goddesses. The beautifully-beaded bodice accentuates the waistline and nicely complements the flattering A-line dress. It has dainty double spaghetti straps which can be easily adjusted to fit any body size, and the outfit is topped off with a charming scarf.

Three Quarter Sleeve Shantung Short Jacket Dress

This is ideal for the mother-of-the-bride who prides herself on keeping up with the most modern trends. The most distinctive feature is the majestic mandarin collar with beaded accents on the three-quarter sleeve bolero jacket. The knee-length shantung sleeveless tank dress, which is available in blue or light mocha, is gracefully embellished at the waist.

One Piece Metallic Chiffon Halter Dress with Scarf

It's perfect for a wedding that is full of glamour and opulence. This pewter-silver halter dress showcases the shoulders, and the metallic chiffon is lovely and comfortable. A beaded buckle accents the ruched waistband to help slim the figure, and the scarf can be added to create a unique look.

Taffeta Mock Two-Piece with 3/4 Sleeve

The fabric of this pleasing dress is a polyester/nylon/spandex blend and is available in sapphire, pewter, and magenta. The side-ruched top features a joyful portrait collar and three-quarter length sleeves. A long flowing skirt and brooch and jeweled pin detail at the waist complete the look.

Two-Piece Short Shantung Tank Dress with Jacket

This rose-colored outfit cleverly combines a short dress with a long jacket. The long-sleeve jacket drops to the knees and features a flower on the lapel. The sleeveless shantung dress falls to just above the knee.

In the past, many mother-of-the bride dresses have been frumpy, gaudy, or uncomfortable. But today, the devoted mother has plenty of ways to make a fashion statement as well. And that's important - because all eyes will be on her when she is escorted down the aisle ahead of her daughter.

Chris Morrison is a freelance writer who writes about weddings and specific products such as mother of the bride dresses.

Choosing a Mother of the Bride Dress For 2009

Image : http://www.flickr.com

This year turning Mom into the Mother of the Bride comes with one important prerequisite. Talk to the bride. She'll appreciate you listening to her input for years to come. Don't be afraid of this exercise - there are plenty of color and style options to accommodate not only your look but her preferences as well this year. You might even be pleasantly surprised with what you discover and relieved to have a place to start. But don't start shopping yet. Next consider the key attributes of color, length, style and body, which when combined successfully will ensure you and your dress are a spectacular hit on the bride's big day.

Color

The two aspects of color that you want to reconcile are simply 1) the color theme of the wedding and 2) the colors that looks good on you. En vogue dress colors especially for Mother of the Brides this year (and especially for outdoor weddings) include "apricot, peach, lemon and golden olive hues" reports Hanna of Here Comes the Guide. If the wedding is taking place later in the year, get more vivid with amethyst, mahogany, or rose. If none of these colors will do, then take your queue from the bride, who may elect to step into 2009's trend for lots of bold, saturated colors like green, lavender or blue, but especially blue, with all of its brilliant peacock splendor including deep violet blue, clear bright blue, green blue, cobalt blue, turquoise, and palace blue. If the bride's theme is blue, but blue doesn't work on you, trying choosing from among the many delightful accent colors you will see in a wedding regardless of its color theme, like champagne, cream, bone, taupe, tan, silver, shimmering light gold, or beige

Selecting colors around a wedding's theme is only the first step. Ask also what colors look good on you. If you are unsure, it's best to keep two or three neutral colors in mind while you decide what looks best against your natural coloring. As you shop, hold clothing items of differing colors up to your face and judge for yourself. You can even go so far as to invest in a professional style guide, like the ones available at istylista. When you look back on wedding photos years from now, you will not regret the investment!

In all cases, stay away from white, ivory, and black. And interestingly, even though blue is "in" this year, one of its shades definitely is not - navy. Don't be caught wearing it! Just remember to pick a color that coordinates well with the wedding theme or its bridal attendants - you don't have to match exactly! - and one which looks great on you at the same time.

Length

The Mother of the Bride's dress length should be similar to the bridesmaids' dresses, within Mom's comfort zone. Tea length (a gown hemmed to end at the shin) becomes an acceptable compromise when bridesmaids' dresses measure LA knee length or shorter.

Style

Continuing the trend from last year, stores are stocking Mother of the Bride dresses in youthful styles. No more stodgy lines and drab tones. This is Mom's year for satisfying a little chicly red carpet fantasy of her own! Take your queue from designing leaders like Karen Miller, Scala, Ursula and Cachet. Also look to bride styles for inspiration, who will be more angelic this year in soft fabrics like chiffons and drapings. But don't go overboard. You'll be safe in simple, graceful lines with little frill and appropriate accessories which compliment, rather than compete with, the bride's wedding dress. A perennial favorite for Mom, especially petite moms, is the two piece skirt suit. These separates are popular because each piece can be ordered in different sizes for a more tailored fit.

Your Body

Be comfortable in your own skin, and in your dress. This means understanding your body shape, your natural colors, owning your age, and putting a dash of your personality into your ensemble. iStylista has an excellent blog article on this topic which you don't want to miss.

The author is F Kapri of Venus Shoe, a unique online store specializing in sexy and exotic designer shoes and boots, and Fifi's Lingerie [http://www.fifislingerie.com], a sexy leather lingerie store for sexy men and women.

Plus Size Dresses For the Lovely Bride

Image : http://www.flickr.com

The sound of the familiar wedding march has not changed through the years. Even with the incorporation of more modern ideas, a wedding and the wedding dress are still the same. The crowd turns their back to await the bride's arrival and with the music's cue, she will march following the rhythm of the instruments and face the crowd. Every woman has dreamt of this scene. Every girl has imagined herself walking down the aisle.

For this reason, every woman has only one wish for her wedding, and that is to look absolutely fabulous. And if you are planning a wedding, then you probably understand this. Looking your best is the main goal and if you are a plus-sized woman, this does not have to be difficult at all.

Most women who become engaged head to newsagents first. Wedding magazines and other publications will help you make the right decision, so more often than not the dresses on the glossy pages become their inspiration. Visualisation is the key; you need to be able to see how the gown will look like and to see if it matches the one you have seen in your dreams.

The next thing you need to do is to decide whether you want to buy a ready-made dress or to have one tailored just for you. Ready-to wear-dresses are always a lot cheaper, but you will often encounter problems with the fit. This can be easily remedied by simple alterations so in the end, you still save some money. The beauty of tailored dresses on the other hand is that they will suit your body best.

Buying plus size dresses can be really tricky, picking a plus-size wedding dress or gown will be even harder, no doubt! Always remember that the key is to know the type of body you have, because if you do then shopping for the right wedding dress will be easy.

1. An hourglass body will have smaller waists and wider hips and chest areas. V-necks and low neckline will be best for women of this particular body type, as well as an empire-cut dress.

2. A rectangular body shape on the other hand will have their weight evenly spread out, with straight figures. Wearing a corset will be a great idea as it will create the illusion of having curves.

3. A pear-shaped woman will appear smaller on the bust and waist area, but wider from the hips, down. Halter tops and high-neckline will not be good for this body type, but A-line dresses and empire-cuts will look great.

4. An apple body type will have wider bust, waist, and hip areas but very slender arms and legs. To be able to deflect the attention away from the midsection, an empire cut dress would be best.

Plus size dresses are now available for all occasions. If you wish to buy them ready-made it will not be a problem anymore. A great selection of gowns is available online, too, all you need is to know what you want and everything will be perfect.

Spirito di Artigiano offers a wide collection of stylish Italian plus size clothing for women. The collection includes plus size women's trousers and plus size dresses in sizes 14-28. Browse the entire Spirito collection of plus size clothes at the Artigiano website.

A Bridal Survival Kit

Image : http://www.flickr.com

Your big day has arrived. You are getting ready and suddenly trouble happens. You develop a run in your pantyhose. What do you do? Do you send a bridesmaid to a nearby store? Your mother? How can you resolve this problem without delaying the wedding?

If you have a bridal survival kit all you have to do is get your spare pair of pantyhose and your back on track to get married.

Things happen even on the most perfect of days. All the planning in the world can't keep the little things from spoiling your special time. But there are things you can do to make your day go easier.

Purchase a small cloth bag, the kind you'd get for traveling to hold small items in your suitcase. Inside it put the following items:

1. 1 or 2 pair of pantyhose. Runs happen, especially when you're nervous already and trying to wiggle your way into them. Having a spare pair or two will help keep snags from ruining your day.

2. Clear nail polish. If you get a run in your pantyhose high enough you might be able to stop it from going further by placing a line of clear polish below it. Clear polish is also nice for touching up your manicure if you need to.

3. A needle and thread sewing kit. You can find pre-threaded multi-colored sewing kits at fabric and craft stores. Perfect for last minute rips and tears.

4. A travel size can of hairspray. Muggy weather, wind and even a little rain can mess up a beautiful hair style. You can fix almost any style with a little hairspray and a bit of patience.

5. Tissues and wet wipes. Tissues are needed for the tears that are sure to come. Wet wipes are crucial for spills or cleaning hands.

6. Touch up makeup. The lipstick, eye shadow, and blush you plan on wearing are nice to keep with you. Smudges happen and it's nice to be able to fix your makeup before you walk down the isle. You might want to have a bottle of foundation too, or powder, just in case too.

7. Headache medicine. The stress of getting ready and nerves have the making of a headache. Stopping a headache before it becomes full-blown will make your day nicer.

8. Gum, mints, or toothbrush and paste. No bride wants to enjoy her first kiss as wife with bad breath. And chewing gum can calm a nervous bride down before the ceremony.

9. A small pair of scissors to clip stray strings or trim a hangnail.

10. Safety pins in different sizes. Rips and tears can happen, and when time is of the essence, using a safety pin to close the tear might be easier than sewing it.

11. A few bobby pins in case of hair disasters. Bobby pins are great for keeping the veil in place too.

12. Small first aid kit. Cuts and scrapes can happen and taking care of it before the ceremony will keep you from having an infection later on. Or getting blood on your beautiful wedding dress.

13. Tampons or napkins. Stress can bring on a menstrual period even if it's not your time. Being prepared is better than being surprised.

You want your wedding day to run smooth. But there is no guarantee it will. By being prepared with a few emergency supplies, your day will be a wonderful day.

Dawn Arkin is a writer who loves to plan and attend weddings. This article has been submitted in affiliation with http://www.Prye.Com/ which is a site for Wedding Invitations.