If you love your mom the way we love our moms—and we know you do—then you’re going to want to make sure your leading lady is as well-dressed as you on your wedding day. (Well, almost.)
Frank Murphy Fashions is a landmark store for special-occasion dresses (they’ve been around since 1931, after all), so we asked Frank Murphy personal stylist Alexandra Schmalzer for some advice on selecting the perfect gown for the mother of the bride or groom.
Don’t be afraid to stand out. Mothers and grandmothers of the bride and groom can shine, too. “It’s no longer about blending in,” she says. “Of all the guests at the wedding, no one should out-dress the bride and groom’s family.”
More is more. “We have an increasing number of mothers choosing two gowns—one more formal for the ceremony and one more fun for dancing at the reception.”
But keep some traditions. “When it comes to etiquette, the mother of the bride should choose her dress first and set the tone. The mother of the groom should then select a dress of similar length and level of stateliness.”