Please help me make my mother look perfect for her wedding

[hellsbelles]

Oh stylish ones - I need your help! My mother is getting married in June. It's a day wedding and I am desperate to treat her to a beautiful dress. She is a size 12 and is very beautiful. Her colouring is light brown hair, honey coloured skin and green eyes. She is over 60 so doesn't want much of her arms on display and would prefer a long dress.

Originally she was suggesting a cream dress but
she has sent me this link. I can see why she likes it because the shape would suit her but I was hoping to find her something a bit more special (silk?) and perhaps without the diamante. I also think she would look beautiful in a tailored outfit but I am keeping quiet on that as I know that isn't what she wants.

Can you help? I have no idea what to suggest as I dress in a completely different style and none of the places I buy from will be right. Any ideas where I could take her shopping or any links that would help. Don't worry about budget for now I'm just trying to find inspiration.

Your link doesnt work

Does it have to be cream?

Without seeing your link am I 100000 miles away with something like this

Geordie - sorry - hoping this does

blast - it works on preview and not when I actually post it!

If anyone can actually be bothered (and I wouldn't blame you if not!) you have to go through the link that doesn't work (!) then click on dresses/gowns and it's the floaty blue number called "Heine Longer Length Dress"

you know when you said not to worry about budget

Also, it might be worth getting a recommendation for a dress maker, and having something made - its usually a lot cheaper than you think for something that is exactly as she wants it and fits perfectly.

Might be worth getting a few bridal type magazines?

storm may be worth a punt

I guess its going to be a bit difficult to steer away from mother of the bride type stuff?

This is from the higher end of the scale, but maybe this long Alice Temperly dress? (though it does have a lot of embellishment)
or something like this with a wrap

That's a lovely style on the dress you linked, but I hate the colour/pattern. Would be great in cream or similar though.

oh I love the Lanvin and the Temperly - but I've got to remember it's not for me . not sure if you've managed to check out the 'interesting' floaty thing that DM is keen on. It's actually blue! So it seems like she will move away from cream.

So I guess I need to work out who does beautiful floaty evening dresses that have sleeves!

I really think having something made for her would be a winner.

I would also recommend looking at the Marchesa website for inspiration, as they do a lot of long, floaty type gowns.

Snap geordieminx!

Geordie - I actually think a couple of the 'mother of the bride' ones would probably be close but she'd not be happy about getting one from a range with that title! I checked out all the evening dresses at net-a-porter and couldn't see anything right. Are there any sites I'm forgetting about?

DM is very frugal by nature (and by necessity in the past) and I intend to spoil her on this. I want the dress to be very special.

Geordie - the wedding is in June so I'm guessing bespoke is not possible with such a short lead time?

I'll check out Marchesa now

Coast also has a few but for most of them she'd need a wrap or bolero of some sort if she's not keen on showing off her arms.

The other source of inspiration can be Slebs like Helen Mirren at the Oscars this year.

What about making an appointment with one of the personal shoppers at Selfridges and then they can run around and pick out lots of things for your mother to try while you and she relax in the posh changing rooms?

I love slightly medieval style dresses, long sleeves, simple shape, drop waist etc. I like this one with the deep neckline which could be flattering as shoulders and collarbones are less aging bits to reveal.

Also the designer would work with fabrics, styling details of your choice...

I sthe dress your Mom likes the one that is royal blue with floaty sleeves???
It is a nice shape, but I'd have thought not a great colour on your Mom, with her colouring?
Is there anyway you could get the pattern for that dress/similar and have it made in a different colour?

I really like this with matching jacket, but probably too plain. I think it's really elegant though.

grumpy - snap! I spoke to the personal shopping department today but they really needed some guidance first (names of the designers etc) to help them come up with the dresses for her to try.

Pip - will check out! Abs - I think the Helen Mirran look is perfect. I shall see what she thinks of that.

I don't know where you're based, but every now and then Temperley does sample sales in Notting Hill in London at the Century Theatre. The website is www.temperleylondon.com
I went once with a friend - you may need to sharpen your elbows, but they do have a LOT of stuff, some of it 70% off retail.

When you get the dress, come back and we'll accessorise
(I am just a frustrated Gok Wan wannabe).

Thank you all so much - I promise I'll report back. I think my next step is saying to Selfridges personal shoppers - Helen Mirren Oscars style! For instance this would really suit my mother's colouring and I think she could look amazing.

I'll let you know but if you do come up with other ideas please let me know!

I dont think you have left it too late to have something made - the main problem would be finding someone that you like/trust. A lot of dressmakers are little old ladies - old school, and are amazingly skilled. - Perhaps ask at some of your local bridal shops, they usually have dressmakers that they can recommend.

I just think it would be lovely for your mum to have something made for her?

specializes i wedding dresses for over 50's

this is an actual wedding dress? Could wear a long-sleeved bolero if she wanted more coverage. They will have more wedding frocks in the next few weeks-freind had hers from there last yr, was heavy oyster silk and completely stunning.