Mother of: Molly
Venue: Oak Hill & Martha Berry Museum in Rome, Georgia
Vibe: Upscale garden party
Dresses: Jovani from Top Hat Formal Wear
Pam didn’t have to go far to find a mother of the bride dress: her daughter Molly owns a bridal shop, Top Hat Formal Wear in Rome, Georgia.
“She wanted everyone in bright colors,” says Pam. “She knows my favorite colors are fuchsia and lilac, so she encouraged me to choose a gown in one of those colors. She said all along that she wanted me to be ‘extra.’”
Adds Molly, “My biggest thing: I wanted my mom’s dress to be a showstopper.”
Make that, dresses. Both bride and mother of changed into dresses more form fitting after the ceremony.
That allowed Pam to wear both of her favorite colors, in two Jovani dresses. The gown she wore for the wedding ceremony was a full-on ball gown in vibrant fuchsia—one shoulder with short puff sleeves beaded floral embellishment on the bodice. “It fit the garden party vibe,” Pam says. “I loved the beading and the silhouette and the fact that it had pockets!”
For the reception, she went in an entirely different direction: a strapless, fitted column dress from Jovani in pale lilac. “I knew I wanted a second dress because I needed something lighter and easier to dance in,” Pam says. “The scuba material was perfect. I also liked that it was totally different than the ceremony dress.” (Pro tip: she wore the Leonisa butt lifter shaper short under the fitted dress.)
Pam says she probably spent more time shopping for a pair of heels that would work with both dresses and be comfortable the entire day. She wanted a block heel because the ceremony was outside on a lawn. And she found them: a platform sandal by Brittish footwear brand Esska. “They were perfect!”
Molly and Cooper’s wedding took place at the Oak Hill & Martha Berry Museum, an historic white column estate with art galleries inside and exquisitely manicured gardens all around. Mother and daughter did much of the planning together, but Pam downplayed her role. “My main goal was just to implement Molly's beautiful ideas.”
Molly clarifies: I think more than advice, my mom was so involved and helped take the reins when I felt overwhelmed. That's the best gift she could have given me. Wedding planning is overwhelming on its own, but along with owning my own business, it could definitely get go be too much at times. She knew every detail of the wedding day and took care of things I would have never even thought of. That's definitely what meant the most to me.”
At the reception, Molly surprised her mom by presenting her with the bridal bouquet—but only after a heartfelt speech that took the breath away from just about everyone in attendance.
“In weddings, there’s not typically acknowledgement given to the mother of the bride and if you know me, know my mom Is my best friend. But I’d venture to guess in most weddings, the mother of the bride plays one of the biggest roles and I just think it’s not fair that we don’t really do anything to acknowledge her. My mom knows the name of the tablecloth patterns, the exact color of the napkins, the specs of the dance floor. She told me which veil to pick, and which shoes wouldn’t hurt my feet. She picked up my slack when I couldn’t make another decision…she knows every part of me…every detail about me is due to some part of her. She is strong, determined, detail oriented, kind, and above all, selfless.”
And that moment made it all worthwhile.