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As the MOB, when I asked the MOG to get together and discuss our dresses she informed me that she had already bought one. She is a precious size 4/6. She had bought a short, navy lace dress. I don’t know about sleeves. The bride’s colors are navy and blush. The bridesmaids are wearing long navy dresses. After my initial shock I began my hunt. I am a size 14/16 and hate to wear short dresses. I have found a long champagne colored lace dress from Dillards with cap sleeves. It has a tying ribbon offset at the waist which oddly enough camouflages the waistline. I realize that we should match but do we have to wear the same length or am I just being……? The ceremony is taking place in early October in South Arkansas at our church at 5:00pm followed by a reception a 6:30pm reception at the Arts Center. It is not a seated dinner, but food stations and then a D.J.

–Anna, South Arkansas

About mother of the bride dress code.

I don’t want to upset you since you’ve already purchased your dress, but I think you should wear a knee-length (or just over the knee) dress with a bit of sleeve in a darker color.

Because it does not sound like a particularly formal wedding and I don’t want you to look as though you are wearing a prom dress. Above is a Dillard’s mother-of-the-bride long dress in a vaguely champagne color.  I would suggest long sleeves so that your dress does not come off as a prom dress.

As the MOB you set the dress code. Not the MOG, but it is alright, because a lot of people don’t know that these days. At any rate, because you are the MOB, you have the right to wear what you want to wear, with the approval of your daughter — the bride.

The only reason I would not wear a champagne colored dress is because it may be too white bridal looking in the photos and the only woman at the wedding wearing white or off-white is the bride.

Forget the MOG, let her do her own thing. You might want to consider wearing a different dress, if you can return the one you purchased. It is really a decision for you and the bride.

On the other hand, if you would like your outfit to cover your legs and you’re willing to go with a more relaxed fun look, I would suggest any of the special occasion jackets from Maria Pucci with graceful pants or a skirt. The look you might want to consider can be found at maria_pucci.com, as in the below photo of a mother of the bride wearing a delicate brocade jacket.

~Didi