What to Wear to a Casual Rehearsal Dinner

What to Wear to a Casual Rehearsal Dinner

Via

This weekend, I'm in my cousin's wedding! She is more like a sister than a cousin, and I'm so excited. She was in my mom and stepdad's wedding, that's how close we were growing up! I have my dress for the day of the wedding, but somehow had blanked on the whole night before outfit. I had the perfect dress...and I already wore it to her bridal shower. Of course I'll wear it again, but not for this same series of events.

Via

So my plan is that

Wedding Client Question: What Do I Wear to a Casual Spring Wedding?

Wedding Client Question: What Do I Wear to a Casual Spring Wedding?

About a month ago, I received an email from Irene. She lives a few hours from me and was looking for virtual personal styling help for a family wedding coming up. The image above is the quick snap she sent me this past weekend, and I can't wait to share more images with you.

Irene wrote: 

In April my brother is getting married and I was wondering if you could help me with some fashion questions. I already have a dress but would like some help putting together the rest of the outfit. I'm not sure what kind of shoes, jewelry and hairstyle would look good with it.The wedding is on a Friday in the afternoon at a church and then the reception is at night. Even though its a Friday night reception its not formal because there will be kids and families there...I will be about 36 weeks pregnant that day, I'm thinking I don't want to wear flats maybe a wedge because I would like to elongate my legs. Maybe it would take some of the emphasis off my heavy middle area. I'm afraid wearing flats might make me look frumpy. Can you think of what might be a fun color to wear from afternoon to evening?  

My hair is shoulder length in layers. I was thinking about getting a blow out. Would that be enough?

Thanks so much!

 My first email back was this:

Mother of the Bride (or Groom) Dresses for the Moms I Actually Know

Mother of the Bride (or Groom) Dresses for the Moms I Actually Know

Via

I remember a picture that I sent to my mom before I got married: it was of a page from a magazine, and it laid out what that magazine thought was "The Only Option" for "Modern Mothers." I sent it to my mom because we both found it hysterical. Who were these "modern mothers" and what happened to their style?! 

Here's the thing: I don't know any women who want to feel dowdy on their daughter or son's wedding day! The women I know who have a child getting married feel just like the other women I know--they want comfort, they want to feel special, and they might have certain parts of their bodies that they feel more or less comfortable with. For some reason, though, many articles and stores think that mothers want to wear one of about three dresses, all pastel and/or beaded, and all with a cropped jacket.

This is what a modern mama can look like! 

In case you, or your mother (or your spouse-to-be's-mother), want something better than that, let's chat. You see, I recently worked with a virtual client (she's in the midwest) whose daughters are getting married this summer, and she wanted some help with what to wear for their bridal showers, rehearsal dinners, and weddings. I'm going to share some of what I suggested to her over the next few weeks.

First, let's start with the main event. I think what any woman wears to the main event of a weekend, whether it's a wedding or a fun weekend away punctuated with a Broadway show, can help her mentally set the tone for the whole weekend. I don't say this to put pressure on anyone! In fact, the opposite! I think once you know what you'll wear for the most special part, the rest can just fall into place.