Both mothers should wear a dress appropriate for the style and formality of your wedding. The mother of the bride should wear a color that blends and complements the bridesmaids’ dresses, but does not match the exact color. The mother of the bride usually selects her dress first then describes it to the mother of the groom, allowing enough time for her to shop. Both mothers can wear the same color, but not the same dress (preferably they should be the same style and length). However, mothers should go with dresses that look good on them, color, figure size, personal sense of style, etc.

Try to choose a color and fabric for all of the women and let each of them pick a style that she is comfortable with. Let them choose from a color family such as purple. Their options would be orchid, mauve, plum, lavender, etc. Or if you prefer to choose to your taste, you can choose a simple bridesmaid/maid of honor a-line or empire waist dress that flatters most figures. Your bridal attendants can wear the same color and personalize with different accessories. Internet shopping is great. You can email information from various sites back and forth and compare styles and prices easily.

Flowers for the wedding need to match your theme. Be it elegant, flirty or fun. Choose your floral provider well in advance and follow-up two weeks before the wedding to make sure all the details are finalized so there is no surprise on the special day.

The same with make-up.  Make sure you have enough time to get ready, either at the salon or at home.  Practice your make-up (if possible) so you are comfortable with the colors you are wearing.  Remember, your wedding pictures will be around for a long time. Keep an emergency make-up bag around for touch-ups.

Lets not forget the guys!  Some grooms think that the fashion decisions are only for the bride.  You need to decide what kind of tuxedo; formal, beach, informal, a tuxedo at all?  The wedding attire of the groom, as well as that of the other men in the bridal party should compliment the attire of the bride and her attendants with respect to the degree of formality and the time of day for the wedding ceremony.  Traditionally, the groom, best man, groomsmen, ushers and fathers dress alike, except the subtle difference in their accessories, style of shirt, tie, color of boutonnière, etc. Matching wedding attire should be worn by the…

You may choose to wear gloves to finish off the look of a formal wedding gown or add a touch to an informal wedding dress.  There are gloves made to accommodate putting the ring on the left hand ring finger. Also check out the garter section. Its always fun.

Another big decision is your wedding headpiece and veil. The headpiece should coordinate with your wedding dress. Wedding veils come in various lengths and styles. If you are wearing a formal wedding dress with a train you would choose a cathedral or chapel veil; for a street length casual wedding dress style a flyaway veil, one which brushes the shoulders, would be appropriate.

Coordinate your shoes to the style of your dress. Try to find a comfortable fit and a pair that you can walk in. If you never wear heels and you buy a pair of spike high heel shoes, you may be falling over as you walk down the aisle. Don’t forget you will be doing a good amount of standing during the ceremony, the receiving line, dancing at your reception, etc. Think about some comfort. Also coordinate the color to your wedding dress and don’t forget to coordinate the bridal attendants shoes to their dresses. Many style shoes can be dyed.

Don’t go overboard.  Perhaps a pair of small earrings, a necklace of gold or pearls to give a finishing touch to your appearance.  Don’t forget to check out wedding jewelry for your wedding party.