Mother of: Heather
Wedding locale: The Peter Allen House in Dauphin, Penn.
Vibe: Relaxed and whimsical outdoor wedding
Dress: Adrianna Papell
A dress for herself wasn’t the first, second or third thing on Elyse’s mind when her daughter Heather got engaged to Elliot. Elyse, who was only in her mid-50s, actually told her daughter she’d just wear something “modest” for her turn as mother of the bride. Heather wasn’t having it.
“I started emailing and texting my mom—workshopping ideas to get her more excited about the idea of what she was going to wear,” Heather says. “I just wanted her to feel awesome, and I’m not sure she always knows just how beautiful she is.”
They ordered a short sleeve, A-line floor length Adrianna Papell gown—sheer black overlay covered in gold sequins. “When it arrived, I think the sparkle intimidated her,” Heather says. But when her mom tried on the dress, “I was absolutely speechless. My now husband even said: ‘That’s the one!’”
The dress was perhaps a bit more formal than the outdoor wedding required, but the bride didn’t care. “I think she complemented my look,” Heather says. “If you can feel good and confident and comfortable in a dress, you’re going to do a better job moving through such a big, emotional day for your family. Also, just because you are a mom doesn’t mean you have to assume an overly ‘matronly’ look for the day.’”
We couldn’t agree more.
| Photography by Justin Tearney Photography