Your Hampshire and Dorset Wedding - Page number 74 - May/June 2021 (Issue 86)

Long established bridal boutique Creatiques of Southsea has its own in-store mother-of-the-bride and -groom room offering latest collections. Co-owner Andrew Pearce advises, “Traditionally, the mother-of-the-bride’s dress should complement the wedding party colours, although not necessarily match. Getting the colours right is very important for the mums, in order to not stand out too boldly in the photographs but still look their big-day best.” ANDREW’S TOP TIPS ❤ Cream, silver shades, navy blue and soft pink, purple and light grey florals are the colours for this season. ❤ Team your outfit with a fascinator, hat or follow the boho trend and wear a fresh flower head band. ❤ Start searching for your outfit no later than three months before the wedding to allow time for alterations if needed. Visit www.creatiques.co.uk MUM’S THE WORD Let’s not forget how important the mums are when it comes to the big day. All eyes are on them too and they’ll want to not only complement the bride and look their best, but also feel involved and special on the wedding morning. For mums that aren’t used to wearing posh frocks, the wed-shop can be daunting. It pays to keep in touch regularly with updates about the wedding theme, style and colour scheme, so they can start browsing for the perfect outfit early on to avoid stress later. Communication is key, especially if you live far apart. Knowing what the bridesmaids are wearing, and the mother-of-the-groom if possible, not only avoids any embarrassing clashes, but also helps create a stylish coordinated effect – great for the group photos! Looking the part is important but feeling comfortable and confident is crucial. So, whether it’s killer heels or comfy flats, hat or fascinator, the most important thing your mum can wear on the day is a big beaming smile. Ask the experts Award-winning Hampshire boutique Charisma has been dressing mothers-of-the- bride and -groom for nearly 30 years and by far their most popular choice of outfit is the two-piece. Owner Debbie Hill reports, “Although these tend to be a little more expensive than a dress, it’s a far more versatile option. The jacket not only provides extra warmth, but also adds to the overall formal look. Once the official proceedings are over you can then take it off to reveal your gorgeous dress that will carry you through the rest of the day and into the evening. We also find adding a chiffon wrap in a complementary colour gives the illusion of a totally different outfit.” For more relaxed weddings, A-line, tea-length dresses are another favourite. “These are becoming more popular for outdoor weddings and look great with a coordinated hat or fascinator to help set the mums apart from the rest of the guests,” adds Debbie. Check out their full range at www.charismaoffawley.co.uk Couture Club shell pink print dress, style 5G108 With the number of weddings planned for 2021, summer is set to be a busy season for Fab Frocks Boutique in Bournemouth. Owner Steve Taylor reports, “The ongoing trend towards stand-alone dresses for summer weddings means this year’s hot buy for mothers-of- the-bride and -groom is the occasion dress. Midi length is the most sought after and one of the most flattering, especially for country weddings. Team with a pashmina for the evening and remember those heel stoppers to stop you sinking in the grass. For something more formal, the dress and bolero are still top of the list, so don’t discount this look until you have tried it!” Visit www.fabfrocks.co.uk Gino Cerruti Labella Collection 74