One of the most high-stakes, high-rewards moments in the wedding planning process is finding “the one”—the gown of a bride’s dreams. But there’s another category of VIPs as far as wedding day wardrobe is concerned: the mother of the bride and mother of the groom.
Just like the bride, moms want to feel special and beautiful on the big day. But unlike the booming market of bridal gown options and healthy selection of bridesmaid dresses, the mother of the bride and groom dress selection can be lacking, leaving moms feeling discouraged or having to settle for a dress they don’t fully love.
Thankfully, there are a number of stores in New Jersey with amazing selections. We talked with two—Sareh Nouri in Livingston and Elizabeth Johns in Morristown—to get their expert advice on MOB and MOG gowns.
“The challenge we hear from a lot of mothers is that the options are very limited and that a lot of gowns do not offer coverage or allow for customizations,” says Sareh Nouri, who just released a beautiful collection of timeless evening gowns called All That Jazz.
Another challenge mothers on the hunt for the perfect gown face is body image issues. Like anyone in the spotlight, knowing you’ll be one of the centers of attention and in a lot of photos comes with some added pressure.
It doesn’t have to be that way, though. “Our best style advice is to choose a dress that makes the mother feel beautiful and comfortable,” says Melinda Ladyzinski, owner of Elizabeth Johns, a bridal boutique that offers an array of couture evening gowns. “Wearing a dress that everyone told her was perfect but not feeling comfortable because it’s too heavy or so ornate or doesn’t match her personal aesthetic will lessen the joy of the wedding day.”
How do we quash those body image worries? That’s where alterations and customizations come in. “We offer our mothers a lot of options in regards to customizing their gowns by adding sleeves and raising necklines,” says Sareh.
The same goes for Elizabeth Johns. “We’ve helped mothers with a scar or medical device that needs to be covered,” says Melinda. “Our in-house alterations team can customize any style to raise a neckline, add sleeves, raise the back and even design a matching jacket or shawl.”
Ultimately, the mother of the bride and groom should pick something timeless that makes them feel like the best version of themselves. One stunning evening gown collection available at Elizabeth Johns is Black Label by Anne Barge.
Another important consideration is timing. Just like shopping for wedding gowns, these experts suggest allowing enough time for alterations.
Sareh Nouri’s gowns take six months in production and alterations can take another two months. “We really urge moms to come in around eight to nine months before the wedding to find their gown,” Sareh says.
[RELATED: NJB Insider Tour: 5 Things to Know About Sareh Nouri’s Flagship Salon]
While there are many department stores and e-commerce retailers with large evening gown selections, nothing beats the hands-on styling expertise and customer service of local boutiques.
“We provide white-glove service to our clients and treat the mothers with the same loving attention that we treat our brides,” says Sareh. “They are given a wonderful VIP alterations experience, which leaves them wanting to come back to us for their other children’s weddings.”
More Boutiques With Mother of the Bride and Groom Dresses in NJ
–Bijou Bridal & Special Occasion, Paramus
-Jaehee Bridal Atelier, Englewood
-Jan’s Boutique, Cherry Hill
-Park Avenue Bridals, Cedar Grove
-Rita Rosa Bridal Boutique, Denville
-Sabine’s Boutique, Warren
The post Where to Buy Mother of the Bride and Groom Dresses in NJ appeared first on New Jersey Bride.