Nancy B.: Short and Chic

Mother of: Jack 
Venue: Glenhaven in Farmington, Minnesota
Vibe: Outdoor cocktail 
Dress: JS Collections

Nancy was all set to wear a floor length black gown to her son’s fall wedding. But six weeks before the big day, a dash through T.J. Maxx minutes before closing time changed everything.

“The silver sparkles caught my eye, from a clearance rack, of all things,” Nancy says. The patterned, light gray fitted dress featured delicate beaded flower blossoms and leaves on the skirt and sleeves. “I couldn’t resist the bling!”

The dress by JS Collections hit right at the knee and featured a short sleeve with some movement to it. It fit Nancy perfectly; no alterations needed. The tulip sleeve was an added bonus. “They added whimsy, and of course great coverage of the upper arms.” 

The knee length style turned out to be perfect for an outdoor ceremony on a warm September day, filled with fun and personality. 

Jack walked his mom down the aisle to the Pokėmon theme song played on a harp. The couple’s beloved dog Nellie followed, to the beat of Little Boo Thang. And Jack honored his late father, John, with a life size cardboard cutout. The photo he selected was from an island wedding Nancy and John had attended years earlier where John paired his suit jacket with shorts. “He was a cartoonist and naturally had a wonderful sense of humor.”

Jack carried that spirit through to the mother-son dance later in the evening. “He kept doing very basic steps back and forth and I said, ‘spin me or something!’” Nancy recounts. Jack obliged with a couple of twirls followed by a surprise when he lifted his mom in the air, much to the surprise of the crowd, and Nancy. At least she didn’t have to worry about tripping on a long train when she came down.

“I was incredibly comfortable, and I didn’t feel like I was tugging or adjusting anything throughout the evening.” 

| Photography by Ali Leigh