Mother of the Bride Dress Guide - How to Choose Your MOB Dress

Image : http://www.flickr.com

Sure - the day may be all about the bride and her big dress, but as the mother of the bride or groom - you need to shine too. Here's everything you need to know to ensure you look stylish and perfectly coiffed on the big day.

Getting Started

When it comes to selecting wedding day attire, the bride goes first. The moms need to start shopping as early as possible - but not until after the bride has selected her gown and the bridesmaids' dresses. Once this has been done, the bride will discuss her preferences of lengths, colors and styles with her mother or both mothers. If you're not happy with the style she suggests, let her know and work out a compromise. It is her day - but the moms have to be comfortable too.

Etiquette

Typically the mother-of-the-bride (MOB) selects her dress (taking cues from the bride), then politely consults with the mother-of-the-groom (MOG) as soon as possible to inform her of the style. The MOG should then select an ensemble that complements - not matches - that of the MOB. This custom is definitely not required, however. If the MOB is lagging and the MOG is anxious to get shopping, she can definitely take the initiative and consult with the MOG or the bride. Regardless - it's important for everyone to be flexible and considerate.

Style Tips for the Moms

Color

Everyone has their own preferences, and any color can really be worn if the bride and moms agree on it. That said, most would advice against these hues:

White or Ivory - (don't compete with the bride)

Black - (don't appear as if in mourning)

Red - (don't be too flashy)

You usually can't go wrong with lavender, beige, silver, burgundy, blue and rose.

Matching the Bridesmaids?

There is no rule that says that mothers' dresses should match or coordinate with the bridesmaids' attire. You can either choose to stay within the same color family - yet different shade (i.e. maids are in seafoam green, you choose a deep emerald green), or feel free to mix and match as you see fit. Again - talk to the bride about her preferences.

FormalityWhile you have more room to maneuver in color - the formality of your gown should match the formality of the rest of the wedding party and the event. If it's an evening wedding and the maids are in floor length ball gowns - it's probably best to avoid a short hemline in a casual fabric - and vice versa.

Where to Shop

Most department stores and many specialty boutiques feature appropriate gowns that can also be worn again to another formal party. You can also jump start your search for mother of the bride dresses in this interactive online photo gallery. Shop with a trusted friend or relative, one whose judgment you can trust to help you choose the style and color that is best for you.

Cori Russell is editor for Elegala.com and Gala Weddings Magazine. Elegala.com is a comprehensive wedding planning resource with a national directory of wedding venues and services, along with articles, expert advice, checklists and photo galleries to lead brides through every step of the planning process.

Mother of the Bride Wedding Speeches

Image : http://www.flickr.com

The mother of the bride is the second most important woman in a wedding after the bride. She, together with the father, will be the one to give away her daughter to a new man. Therefore, the mother of the bride wedding speeches are very awaited at the reception.

The Concept

Among the many things that the mother of the bride should focus on, is the concept of the speech. What she is supposed to say should go with the main concept of the wedding, which is the unison of her daughter and her beloved son in law. This being said, the mother of the bride wedding speeches should focus on her daughter and how thankful she is for having such a wonderful girl as a daughter.

Personal experiences can also be mentioned. Funny childhood memories that can make the audience laugh. Make her the center of positive attention by saying how much you love her as her mother.

Mother of the bride wedding speeches should contain the positive traits of the daughter- how she has affected her mother's life. Thanking her for her time and the love that she has given to the family will add more emotion to the concept of the speech. It will give the mother a chance to show how much she loves her daughter and how much the family will miss her as she leaves the nest.

Additional Content and Reminders

It would also help the mother to practice the speech a few weeks before so that she can get rid of stage fright. She also has to put the groom's feelings into consideration when making a speech. Wedding speeches should be about happiness. The mother should not focus on negative aspects of the groom's personality. She should also never forget to welcome the groom to the family.

As a mother, you should say what you feel. Anything that comes from the heart is more appreciated than something that is taken from a greeting card. You can also take this chance to share your wisdom with the newlyweds. Since you have had the experience of living a married life, your advice will be important for them to consider as they start their own family. It will help them through tribulations that may come their way.

As a mother, you should try your best not to get too emotional when delivering your speech. However, it is unavoidable because of the sentimental tone of the occasion. Be sure to bring something that can wipe the tears off your face as you deliver your heartfelt speech. However, if it does get too emotional do not be afraid to shed a tear.

The mother of the bride wedding speeches should sum up all your feelings about the wedding. One very important thing that you should remember is to thank everyone for coming to your daughter's wedding. In addition to this, delivering this speech will give you a chance to show that you have accepted the groom into the family. You must make him feel welcomed so that he would not be afraid to open up to you in case there is any problem.

Thank you for the time you spent with me reading this article about the mother of the bride wedding speeches! I'd also love to meet you on my blog to have a chance to tell you more about wedding speeches - actually you could start by browsing the category page for mother speeches right away - you will want to share it with others.

A very talented writer, Stacy Craig has a writing experience of many years. She is currently working as the senior editor at Raw Nuke, and has written content for many websites and blogs worldwide. She is working in affiliation with many companies, and her work has received much admiration from several clients. Her work is known to be excellent, and delivered within deadlines.

Currently, Stacy Craig cooperates with ExtraFindouts.Com's Wedding Speeches Guide - the first place to get help with your wedding speech. Here you can find many articles, guides, tips, help, advice and much more for any type of wedding speeches you're having this or the very next weekend!

We also offer 5-days Email Mini-Course with the most useful tips on writing and delivering your wedding speech. You will also get a free 20-pages report with basic wedding speech samples upon subscribing to the Mini-Course.

So what are you waiting for? Visit us right now and Get your own copy of the ExtraFindouts Free Wedding Speeches Report!

Famous Wedding Movies - "Father of the Bride"

Image : http://www.flickr.com

One of the most delightful movies about weddings is the 1991 hit Father of the Bride starring Steve Martin, Diane Keaton, and Martin Short in the unforgettable role of Franck the wedding planner. It was actually a remake of a classic Spencer Tracey comedy, but I found the more recent version to be even funnier than the original. The movie tells the tale of a loving dad who nearly loses his mind during the planning of his daughter's wedding.

There are many parts of Father of the Bride that real-life dads will relate to. The wave of nostalgia that hits Steve Martin when he realizes that his little girl is all grown up is very touching, and is a sentiment shared by many fathers of the bride. Most dads will also relate to the sticker shock experienced by Martin's character, George Banks.

The sweetness of the father-daughter relationship is balanced by the hilarity of the actual wedding planning process. Franck the wedding planner is definitely the funniest and most memorable part of the movie. From his insistence on swans, the scene over the navy blue tuxedo, and all of the other costly "must-haves" that he arranges, he is an absolute gem.

One of the best known scenes in Father of the Bride is when Annie's fiance gives her a blender. He thinks that it is a thoughtful gift (Annie likes milkshakes); she thinks that it is a symbol of his intention to turn her into a 1950s housewife after the wedding. Naturally, Annie's father steps in and smooths things over. The blender fiasco is a perfect example of how people can go a little crazy during the stress of planning a wedding!

Annie's bridal ensemble was very traditional. She wore a long sleeved gown with a lace illusion neckline. It was an elegant and lovely dress, which she completed with a full veil and blusher. With such a high neckline, the bride did not wear a necklace, but she did choose pearl bridal jewelry for earrings. Annie's pearl bridal jewelry was dangle earrings, which are a nice choice when there is no necklace being worn. She completed the look with a pair of sneakers from her father's sneaker company hidden under her full skirt.

Father of the Bride shows why it is not less expensive to have your wedding at home. Between the renovations, the gardening, and the fancy birds, it would have been more affordable to have the wedding in a club. This is often the case with weddings at home, because not only will you have all of the costs associated with renting everything from forks to a tent, but you will surely see a hundred ways that your home must be spruced up to look perfect for your wedding.

Anyone planning a wedding should take the time to sit down and watch Father of the Bride. It is an adorable, lighthearted movie that will provide a relaxing break during the hectic days of planning your own wedding. And in case you are wondering what happens after the wedding, rent Father of the Bride II (I'll give you one hint: babies!).

Let us know if you need assistance in any area of planning your wedding.Take advantage of Bridget's experience helping clients select jewelry and accessories. Pearl bridal jewelry is always elegant and beautiful.