I am the step-mother of the bride. It's a formal, evening wedding, in late September. Bridesmaids are wearing vivid red. The groom, my husband, & groomsmen are wearing classic tuxes with black vest & tie. Mother of Bride is wearing a floor length gown in a deep plum. The Groom’s mother has chosen a knee length dress in chocolate brown. I am not sure what to wear. To begin with I am unsure of my role in the wedding I may know until the rehearsal. I’m on very friendly terms with my step-daughter, but we are not close & I am relatively shy, so I am uncomfortable asking. I fear the question may seem presumptuous or pushy.
Is it possible for me to choose an appropriate dress without asking this question? If so, what color can I wear, & what length? Could I wear something in the blue family? Or should I choose some sort of dark red shade, like a burgundy? What other colors would work? Must I wear knee length so as not to out-do the mother of the groom in formality? I have heavy legs & would prefer to cover them! I feel I probably should not wear floor length, but could I wear tea length? Or ankle length? Do you think it is possible to choose something elegant which could be appropriate for either as a Mother or a wedding guest?
(This post was
edited by TWQadmin on May 20, 2008, 2:41 PM)
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Re: [bookworm] Step-mother of Bride attire
[In reply to]
Dear Bookworm,
It is best to ask your husband to ask his daughter if you are being treated as a mother. If so, you would coordinate with the mother of the bride without dressing more formally than the mother of the groom. The length of dress doesn't matter as much as the general formality of the dress.
The blue family would probably look fine as long as it wasn't primary blue. It could look like a box of crayons--red and blue. I would stay away from the red family. The mother of the bride chose a dark red, so you wouldn't want to compete and red does draw the eye.
If it were me, I'd choose a black cocktail dress that hits just below the knee. That is usually a safe bet.
Re: [bookworm] Step-mother of Bride attire
[In reply to]
I totally agree with Rebecca, who is one of the best experts on etiquette! Black cocktail dress would be perfect; if you are concerned with the length, you can go a bit lower, but no lower than tea length. Enjoy the wedding! Irina Feygin, IMpeccable iMage, Inc. Image and Beauty and For Princess Bride
Step-mother of Bride attire
