Beth P.: Love in Latte

Mother of: Devin 
Venue: McCormick Home Ranch in Camarillo, California
Vibe: Outdoor semi-formal
Dress: Morilee, from J & B Bridals in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania

Don’t get hung up on labels. When the “mother of” dresses failed to wow Beth, she turned to the bridesmaid dress section at J&B Bridals in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. There, she found a strapless corset style dress by Morilee with ruched bodice and wrap-style satin skirt that fit like it was made for her. 

Still, despite the perfect fit, Beth says, “I had some reservations about the style for my age.” But her son Devin and future daughter-in-law Molly put her mind at ease. That’s right—the couple went shopping with the mother of the groom “to make it special,” Beth says. “When I tried this dress on, my son said, 'that’s it!' It really was the perfect dress.” 

The corset style gave the dress structure, and Beth appreciated the ruched bodice. But for extra insurance, she wore Honeylove’s SuperPower Short under the dress. “It was very comfortable,” she reports. “I had it on for over 10 hours without any issues.”

Beth’s memo to designers: “Design dresses to hide tummies.  Put a little more stretch into the fabrics.” 

Beyond fit, Beth—and her son—loved the pale “latte” color of her chosen dress. “It went well with my skin tone and my naturally grey hair.”

And the light color and weight of the dress were ideal for an outdoor summer wedding. Devin and Molly got married in June at the rustic chic McCormick Ranch along California’s central coast in Camarillo—situated between Los Angeles and Santa Barbara. “The gardens were in bloom,” Beth says, “and the day was absolutely beautiful.”

Beth soaked in every moment: getting ready with the bridal party. Hearing the happy couple recite their vows. Delivering a reading during the ceremony.

The culmination of all of these special moments, however, was Beth’s dance with her son. Of course, the mother-son dance is often a highlight for mothers of the groom, but Beth says she was apprehensive leading up to it: “I do not like attention and felt like it would be strange to dance together in front of everyone.  However,” she says, “it turned out to be a real blessing.”

Devin chose Unsung Hero by For King and Country, and told his mom the song was about her. “As we danced, we had time to hug, share memories, and remember our blessings. I cried, so happy for being his mother and having the privilege of raising him. It was an incredible 24 years,” Beth says. “I cried more tears of joy knowing what a wonderful man he is and what a good husband he will be. I cried sad tears, feeling just how much I was going to miss seeing him and being in the same room with him when our stay came to an end. I grieved my loss, because in a few days we had to leave California—his new home—to return to our home in Pennsylvania. I will forever be grateful for our dance!”

| Photography by Mia Hill, MiaBella MiaBella Photography