Mom Moms are there for so much: to ease our tears on the first day of kindergarten, to slap a Band-Aid on that bruised knee, to remind us that our homework still isn’t done, and of course, to celebrate with us. And at this stage, you’re there to celebrate one of life’s biggest occasions: your son or daughter’s wedding day! Choosing a Color When looking for a dress for the wedding, you’ll want to choose a color that is similar to the wed- ding party, but doesn’t match exactly. For exam- ple, if the bridesmaids are wearing lavender, you can accent them with a plum gown. You should also keep in mind the location, time of day, and formality of the wedding itself. For formal, ele- gant celebrations, you should avoid colors like ivory, champagne, black, or red and wear a long gown. For a more casual, outdoor get-togeth- er, bright colors and fun prints on a tea or knee length dress are perfectly acceptable! Coordinating Outfits Typically, the mother-of-the-bride picks out her dress first, setting the tone for what the mother- of-the-groom will wear. You and your future in- law don’t have to match, but you should make sure your looks don’t clash, either. Be sure to dis- cuss sleeve and hem lengths, necklines, colors, and styles with each other before shopping. If you already get along well, you may even want to go shopping together! Where to Shop Now that you’ve got an idea in your head of what to look for, it’s time to shop! Plan to visit local department stores and bridal shops. If a bridal shop doesn’t sell mother-of gowns, look at the bridesmaid dresses they carry! Oftentimes, these double perfectly as a moth- er-of gown without forcing you to look or feel matronly. If you find a dress you love that needs to be ordered in a different size or color, we recommend doing so no later than 3-5 months before the wedding. Your child’s wedding day may be just as big of a moment for you as it is for them. All of your hard work at raising a wonderful person has paid off, and they’re ready to start a family of their own. Take pride in your accomplishment by finding a dress that will showcase your beauty! MOTHER-OF GOWNS SHOPPING FOR Montage by Mon Cheri - 118961 available at Vera's Ladies Apparel Daymor Couture - 350 available at Vera's Ladies Apparel Rina diMontella - 2621 available at Vera's Ladies Apparel Daymor Couture- 771 available at Vera's Ladies Apparel 26 | TODAY'S BRIDE +12 MONTHS UNTIL "I DO"