— Find the dress of your dreams within your budget
— Finding something to wear for your daughter’s wedding can be a challenge. When my daughters went to David’s Bridal to pick out bridesmaid dresses, I took the opportunity to try on a few mother-of-the-bride dresses. I found one that I absolutely loved, but it was over $200! I could not bring myself to pay that much for a one-time use dress, when I knew there would be a lot of other expenses for the wedding.
Yes, I wanted to look beautiful that day, and yes, I wanted to be happy with pictures of me in the wedding. But I was hoping to find something more affordable. I had the store record the style of the dress for me just in case. The wedding was more than a year away, so I had time to look elsewhere.
To be honest, I didn’t want to spend a lot of time going to stores to try on dresses. I don’t like those big mirrors! So I procrastinated. When it got down to 3 months before the wedding, I decided I shouldn’t put it off any longer. My youngest sister had quite a bit of success finding prom dresses for her daughter online, so that gave me the courage to look. Having certain parameters helped me narrow things down when I finally started searching online.
Yes, get out that measuring tape from your sewing kit and check your waist and bust size. Some of us don’t want to know, but if you are ordering a dress online, it’s important to get the right size. Most dress listings will come with a size chart that will show the measurements for each size. Size charts are not standardized and can vary from brand to brand, so be sure to check the chart before placing your order. If you fall between sizes and can afford to order two dresses, then go ahead and return the one that doesn’t fit.
10. Check the return policy.
Be sure to choose a source that takes returns. Research the process and cost, and find out what the time limit is. Write the return deadline on your calendar, so if you want to return your purchase, you don’t miss the opportunity. If you live near a mall or shopping center, you may want to consider buying from a department store websites, such as JCPenney.com or Kohls.com, because you can return them free to a nearby store if needed, and maybe their customer service can help you find the same outfit in a different size or color in another store.
11. Collect links of your favorites
Decisions can be so hard to make when there are so many choices. Hopefully, the steps above will help you narrow down your focus. Once you know what style you are looking for, start collecting links to your favorites.
A great place to collect links is on Pinterest, a virtual bulletin board. Create a new board on Pinterest to save “pins” of your potential dresses. Then you can see them all in one place and narrow down your selection.
If you are shopping on Amazon, you can save your ideas to a wishlist, then go back and narrow them down and move them to your card when you are ready to purchase.
12. Decide how many dresses to order at a time.
If you can afford to order several dresses at once to try on, and are good at returning things on time, many moms prefer to do that. It’s similar to the experience of being in a store, but you get to try the items on in the comfort of your own home.
I am terrible at returning things on time, so I decided to order just one dress at a time. I was worried that I would get distracted and forget to return the other dresses if I ordered more than one. I had saved a bunch of possible dresses on my wishlist, and was able to gradually whittle them down to the one I thought would work the best in my price range. I was fortunate to end up with a winner in the first round.
13. Get a full length mirror.
If you don’t already own a full length mirror, go buy one or borrow one. You can’t really tell how a dress looks when you try it on at home, unless you have a full length mirror. Another option is to have someone take a picture of you. (Taking full-length selfies can be challenging!)
In our house, the only full length mirror we have is in a curio cabinet behind a bunch of china and figurines! So, when my dress arrived in the mail, I tried it on and had someone take a picture of me. But looking at the tiny photo on my cell phone screen, I still wasn’t sure this was the right dress for me. I felt like I needed to see myself full-size in a mirror, so I hiked over to my mom’s house and tried on the dress again in front of her full-length mirror. Doing that helped me decide for sure. Try your dress on as soon as it arrives in the mail.
There are many distractions when preparing for a wedding, so it’s easy to set the package aside when it arrives. Don’t do it! Open it up! Try it on! Find out if it fits, if you like it, or if you need to return it.
If it fits and you like it, great! Celebrate! Check that one off the list!
If it’s not the right dress, pack it right back up, put that return label on it right away and put it by the door for the next time you go out. You will be glad you did.
14. If the dress needs alterations, schedule time to do them ASAP
If you or a family member is handy at sewing, simple alterations like hemming or taking in a seam, can be done to adjust a dress that is almost the perfect size. Doing it yourself will save you money if you have the expertise. If you need to take it to a tailor or seamstress, be sure to call and set up an appointment as soon as possible, since they are often very busy.
I’m so blessed to have a mother who sews and taught me how to sew. When I discovered that the dress I had chosen for the wedding was just a little too long, my mother had me stand on a low stool while she pinned the hem to the right length for me. Later, I hemmed it by hand while traveling on vacation. It’s a good car activity (as long as someone else is driving!)
We found these sewing clips to be very helpful! No more pricks from pins!
15. Don’t forget the shapewear
As much as we’d like to have the perfect body, many of us mothers of the bride have some middle-age roundness. Having some smoothing shapewear under our dresses can help us look a little slimmer and feel a little trimmer as we walk down the aisle for the sake of our daughters.
16. Remember the shoes
If you already have shoes that will go with the outfit, wonderful! That’s a saving! However, if you need to shop for shoes, remember to reserve time to do that. Keep that high on your list as well.
I would highly recommend looking for shoes that have a low heel and are comfortable to wear. You will be on your feet for most of the day! If your daughter is going to have dancing at the wedding, take that into consideration when choosing footwear. You may want to treat yourself to some gel inserts.
I do not have much experience buying shoes online. If you do shop online, make sure you understand the return policy, and again, be forewarned that it might take trying several pairs before you find the right fit.
Check out thrift shops. Many wedding shoes end up at thrift shops and they are still in great shape because they were only worn for one day! I was at a thrift shop one day with my daughter and just happened to find the perfect pair of shoes for the wedding. A high quality brand name for only $6. Woo hoo!
Again, don’t procrastinate. It can take time to find the right shoes. Keep it high on your list and make time to do it. How your feet feel can make a big difference in your attitude on the wedding day and we want to be feeling and acting our best! And don’t forget to wear them around the house to break them in before the big day!
17. All about accessories
Accessories add the icing to the cake, as it were. Remember to take the time to find the finishing touches you need for your outfit. Some of these items may already be in your jewelry box or closet, or can be borrowed from family members. You can easily find the remaining items in online stores or at your local mall.
Accessories options
Conclusion
As mothers, sometimes we are so focused on the needs of our children, that we sometimes forget to take care of ourselves. It’s important to make time for taking care of your own needs for your daughter’s wedding. You want to look and feel your best, not only for your own sake, but also for your daughter’s at this special moment in her life.
Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.
