Fiona and her long‑standing client, Susan, share their experience — from both perspectives — in this latest look at how to make Mother of the Bride shopping simple, enjoyable, and stress‑free.
Background
With six months to go before her daughter’s wedding, Susan casually mentioned to Fiona that she might need help finding an outfit. A few months later, she sent Fiona a photo of herself in a dress she’d tried. Fiona offered her honest, objective view and suggested alternative places to look. She also searched online, emailed a curated selection of options, and set a date to discuss and potentially shop together — conscious that summer wedding styles were beginning to appear in stores for the June UK wedding.
The Brief
Before their meeting, Fiona gathered the essentials:
- details about the wedding theme and atmosphere
- the date and venue
- what the bride and bridesmaids would be wearing
- what the other parents were planning
- guest numbers.
Susan’s priorities were clear: she wanted to look lovely without overshadowing the bride, feel comfortable all day and evening, and choose something she could wear again. They also discussed budget and the overall vision for the outfit.
Preparation
As the meeting approached, Fiona viewed the John Lewis website — Susan’s preferred starting point — and printed 30 potential options. Knowing stock levels can be unpredictable, she visited the Southampton store the day before to check availability. As expected in the current retail climate, only one of the dresses was available in store; the rest were online‑only.
The Meeting
Fiona’s aim was to make the experience efficient, enjoyable, and not too tiring, especially as Susan was still recovering from illness.
She arrived at Susan’s home with the 30 printed options, covering a range of brands, six colour palettes, and prices from £67 to £250. Two of the dresses she (Fiona) was particularly excited about.
Because Susan had shopped with Fiona before, she trusted the process and didn’t dismiss options based solely on pictures — something new clients often do. Their discussion was detailed, including potential alterations, and styling ideas. After 2.5 hours sitting in comfort, they had narrowed the selection to five favourites, which were ordered online.
Susan commented that it was “a very productive meeting” and appreciated avoiding the hassle of parking, walking around a shopping centre, and the fatigue that comes with it. They achieved more in the same amount of time than they likely would have in person. Plus, Fiona left Susan with all the pictures, so she had ideas of styles for future shopping should she need them.
Fiona’s Takeaway
Fiona wondered whether this might be the new normal for special‑occasion shopping: reviewing colour-printed options, ordering online, and trying everything at home. If so, she may need to invest in more printer ink!
When the Dresses Arrived
All five dresses arrived within five days. Fiona returned to Susan’s home for a try‑on session — just as they would have done in a shop, but with the added comfort and convenience of being at home.
Only one dress didn't fit out of the five (all same size ordered). Colours were as hoped too. This can sometimes be a disappointment when ordering online, as the colours may appear differently on screens. Susan was surprised by how flattering a lemon‑coloured dress was — a shade she would never have chosen without Fiona’s suggestion. Susan compared this to her colour wallet, and had forgotten that Fiona had rated this colour highly for her previously.
Two dresses quickly emerged as favourites, and both requiring no alteration. Each worked beautifully with the shoes Susan already owned and planned to wear, and potentially with a handbag she had in mind. The outfit was coming together effortlessly and Susan's worry about finding something appropriate and flattering to wear was diminishing!
Trying the dresses at home meant Susan could pair them with her own accessories — shoes, bag, scarf, hat, and jewellery — making the decision‑making process smoother and more enjoyable. Five dresses tried, discussed, and three repackaged for return in just over an hour. No changing rooms. No trekking between shops. All five were strong contenders, but two were perfect and Susan decided to keep them both! Now, the decision will be which to wear on the day. That will be determined by the accessories, and weather on the day.
Susan adds:
I have worked with Fiona for a while now, and she has become a lovely friend whom I support as much as I can. That said, I hate shopping! I once tried on 22 pairs of trousers and left with none. I find fitting rooms a horrid place to be - the awful mirrors, the claustrophobic space, and never enough hooks or places to put my bag(s) and own clothes (the floor, really?). Knowing the colours that suit me really helps. I keep my colour wallet in my handbag (so I know where it is when I do want it), and Fiona has now given me an 'on-line wallet' on my phone, in case I do forget the wallet!
My daughter's wedding was coming up, and I was dreading the MOTB outfit shopping and had put it off. Being on a very tight budget doesn't help. Fiona gently suggested I get a move on. Knowing my colours, I did try a shortcut. As Fiona diplomatically put it, we should try elsewhere, the colours were okay, but the fit wasn't.
I was seriously impressed by the effort Fiona put in on my behalf. Thank you! I had thought a quick trip into Southampton, a few try-ons in a fitting room, listening to and taking the advice given and purchases done. I must have been kidding! Do you know that most shops now offer a far wider range online than you will ever see in store? We cannot avoid internet shopping, buying, trying on, and sending back the ones that are not right for us.
Between us, Fiona and I narrowed the 30 options down to 5, which I ordered on Saturday. Four arrived on Monday (gee that was fast!) and the last one on Thursday. I did the fashion show bit with Fiona present on Friday and decided to keep two of them. That afternoon I returned the other three and 7 days later the refund was in my account.
Once the wedding photos are released, I'll share a pic of me in the MOTB outfit we have put together.
Thank you, Fiona. You took the stress out of the task. I am most grateful.
Kind regards, Sue.
SUMMARY
So, if you have an upcoming event that you are worried about getting your outfit for, please don't hesitate to get in touch. It's what I love doing - taking the stress out of how you dress.
Fiona, Your Colour & Style Consultant
07469 246722
