Dawn H.: Personalized to Perfection

Mother of: Mackenzie
Venue: Saint Thomas of Villanova; Waynesborough Country Club, outside Philadelphia
Vibe: Creative black tie
Dress: Anne Barge Black Label 

Dawn relished the opportunity to shop for a mother of the bride gown. Her daughter Mackenzie put it into perspective: “We jokingly say she is my personal stylist—she really is the one with the great eye for style.” 

Dawn headed to specialty shops with an open mind, and tried on at least 45 dresses, just to get a feel for what fit best. She didn’t have a particular style or designer in mind; Dawn says the only thing she knew she wanted was color. “I tend to wear a lot of neutrals and I wanted this day to feel special.” 

She found a fuchsia dress she loved at Elizabeth Johns Bridal in Ardmore, Penn., but as she was headed out of the salon, another gown caught her eye. It was on a "Trending Now" rack, straight from New York Fashion Week; an Anne Barge Black Label one shoulder trumpet style in gold threaded jacquard with a shoulder bow. She knew in an instant it was exactly the gown she wanted to wear.

Except for one detail: It was black.

Now, here’s the benefit of shopping small: the salon contacted Anne Barge, and the designer team agreed to customize the dress in a fuchsia fabric. Dawn even got to select the fabric for the detachable shoulder bow, an airy organza. 

The personalized touches just made Dawn love the dress even more. “I didn’t realize initially how the gold thread would show in the light. It gave it definition and flair. I felt feminine and fun.” 

Mackenzie fully agreed.

“I was—and still am—completely obsessed with my mom's dress! She looked absolutely stunning! All the time spent shopping and customizing was totally worth it because she completely nailed her mother of the bride dress. I don't think my mom could have looked any more beautiful!”

Dawn completed her look with Kendra Scott gold drop earrings with a pink center stone. Her gold sling backs had a block heel, which is always more comfortable, but Dawn says the real difference maker was her Vivian Lou inserts. “My shoes stayed on from morning until 2 a.m. and my feed did not hurt at all the next morning. I’ll never wear heels without them again.” 

Dawn’s advice to her daughter: “Embrace who you are and don’t follow trends or others. This is your day.” Adds the proud mom, “She was a breathtaking bride.” 

From dress to decor, Dawn and Mackenzie planned every detail of the wedding together (with the help of planner Shannon Wellington).

“We knew the wedding planning process would be a very special, once in a lifetime experience,” Mackenzie says. “We had so much fun.”  

| Photography by Asya Photography