MOG: Susan Shisler
Mother of: Jack
Venue: Valley Church and The Monroe in Des Moines, Iowa
Vibe: Elevated garden party
Dress: MacDuggal
Pink and green were the bride’s preferred colors for a bright and preppy summer wedding in Iowa. And when the mother of the bride picked green, mother of the groom Susan committed to pink.
“I hadn’t worn a pink dress since prom!” Susan jokes. “It was way out of my comfort zone.”
And so began the dance of orders and returns — around 40 dresses in all. There was the dramatic ruched cape dress by Hemant & Nandita. A sweet powder pink ruffled column dress by Louise. A puff sleeve gown from By Watters with a V-cut that was just too deep to be remedied with alterations.
“Always pay attention to the return policies,” Susan advises. The $4.99 return insurance fee might seem silly when you’re placing the order, but you’ll be glad you paid it when you have to ship a dress back to India.
As for the one purchased on final sale? “Oops,” Susan says. “I’ll try to resell it.”
Meanwhile, a MacDuggal gown was following Susan around the Internet. A-line, pink on pink satin stripes, strapless.
“I never imagined I’d wear a strapless dress,” Susan says. “But I’m so glad I kept an open mind.”
When she tried it on, “I knew instantly it was the one,” Susan says. “It honored my daughter-in-law’s vision for the wedding while still feeling completely like me.”
Pro tip: “The key to a strapless dress is an amazing seamstress. Also trying on the dress at every fitting with the bra you plan on wearing.”
Meant to be
Susan’s son Jack met Sarah at bible camp when they were teens. They went to different high schools, college in two different states and dated through years of long distance before returning to Des Moines, together.
“I love that they have grown up together and shared so much of life already,” says Susan. “The both have a love of faith and family and that is my favorite thing about them.”
A mother to four boys, this was Susan’s second wedding in as many years. (See what she wore to the first!)
“My best advice is get on board early, cheering from the front row,” Susan says. “Offer to help with whatever you can. I have been blessed with daughter in laws who value my opinion and have asked me to be involved. They know I love weddings and planning and will do whatever they need, order whatever they need, research whatever they need — but most of all encourage them along the way!”
Even for someone like Susan who enjoys the planning process, a wedding coordinator can be a huge help. For other Iowa families, Susan recommends Shari from You're Invited. "Not only does she know all the vendors and talent in the area, she knows how to calmly navigate the entire process."
A VIP tribute
Susan lost her own mother to cancer a decade ago. “Having my mom watch from heaven is the hardest part of seeing my boys get married. She would love every detail.” To keep her close, Susan wore her mom’s gold charm bracelet and sapphire cocktail ring. She also asked five family members and close friends to each wear a piece of her mom’s jewelry. “It felt good to my heart and made her feel close.”
Speaking of close, Susan encourages mothers of the groom to make time on the wedding day for a first look with your son. “It’s been one of the favorite parts of both of our weddings,” she says. “There’s something so sweet about having a couple of moments alone to remind him how proud you are of him and how very much he is loved.”
