Mother of: Molly
Venue: Peconic Bay Yacht Club, Southold, New York
Vibe: Hamptons Black Tie
Dress: Neil Bieff from Mary Jane Denzer
It’s one of the great misnomers of special occasion fashion that custom is more expensive than off-the-rack designer. Custom is often in the same ballpark, or perhaps even less expensive, depending on the designer. And by nature, it’s one-of-a-kind, made to fit just you.
“I know what I like,” says recent mother of the bride Barbara. “Custom for a more formal wedding was the way to go.”
Her daughter Molly’s summer wedding to Phil took place outdoors at Peconic Bay Yacht Club on the North Fork of Long Island (described by British GQ as the “cooler cousin of the Hamptons”).
“They spent a lot of time on the North Fork during Covid and cemented their commitment to one another,” Barbara says. The waterfront lawn and seaside marina views provided a picturesque backdrop for the formal event. Molly didn’t give her mom any dress parameters; she just wanted her to feel special.
Barbara went to Mary Jane Denzer, a by-appointment White Plains boutique that specializes in custom designs. The whole experience made Barbara feel like a VIP.
“My shopping experience was great and so personal. I tried on multiple styles until we nailed down our top choices,” she says. “The team was so helpful in finding the perfect shade of blue.”
Barbara selected a strapless column style adorned in sequins.
“I loved the simplicity—the color and fit and a little bit of sparkle brought it all together,” she says.
Designed with an interior corset, Barbara didn’t feel like she needed to hoist the strapless dress up all night. The team at Mary Jane Denzer also suggested the Maidenform Tummy Control Strapless Bodysuit and Barbara confirms: “It worked like a dream—and better than higher priced brands.”
Barbara says her favorite memory of the dreamy day was walking Molly down the aisle. “She gave me some last minute instructions, which all our guests heard.”
So what did the bride, on the precipice of marriage, say to her mother?
“GO!”
Says Barbara, “We all had a good laugh.”
| Photography by Betsi Ewing