Mother of: Amy
Venue: Santa Caterina Hotel, Amalfi, Italy
Vibe: Destination formal
Dress: Amsale from Bella Bridesmaid
Italy is a special place for Amy—she studied abroad in Florence, and took a trip to the Amalfi Coast with her mom, Barbara. She returned two years ago with her then-boyfriend Zach, so when they decided to get married, it had to be Italy.
“When they made the decision to marry there, we supported them, but felt that many guests would not be able to make the trip,” mother of the bride Babara says. “We were so wrong! Fifty family and friends attended, and it was amazing!”
The bride chose a bright wedding palette of pinks, greens, and yellows to match the lush setting for the May wedding. Barbara knew she wanted to wear bright pink.
“I wanted to look different than the wedding guests, but keep the mother of the bride look,” she says. “I aimed for a polished look that didn’t feel too heavy or restricted.”
Barbara dreaded the shopping process. “Shopping can be difficult for a 62-year old mid-size girl!” Anxious to avoid lots of returns, she opted to shop in person and found her perfect pink Amsale gown at Bella Bridesmaid in South Carolina. A strapless floor length gown with a large bow, it was love at first sight. “I loved the fabric. It felt just perfect and hid my problem areas well.” So much so that Barbara decided not to wear the shapewear she’d purchased for the day.
When dressing for a destination wedding, Barbara advises other moms and guests to “consider the climate and cultural vibe of the location, and chose outfits that travel well—wrinkle resistance is key.
“It’s also helpful to have a backup plan for footwear or accessories in case weather or terrain is different than excepted. We had lots of steps to climb.”
But it was well worth it, Barbara says. “Waking my daughter down the aisle and pausing for her to take it all in was the most perfect moment for us. The venue was stunning, and exactly what she envisioned it would be.”
| Photography: GM Visions Photography