Dress distress: Mothers of the bride or groom needn't settle for 'make-do' outfits

When Richmond got married, she made her mother wear a formal dress suit. Her mother was uncomfortable the entire night, she said.

But when Richmond's brother got married, her mother wore a "beautiful chiffon pant outfit" with a long jacket.

"It was very appropriate," said Richmond. "She still wears it and feels like a million bucks when she puts it on. And that's so great. When I think back to my wedding, she was fidgeting all the time. At my brother's wedding, she was so relaxed."

Her advice to mothers is to first figure out what styles they like by searching the Web, and then visit several stores to try on clothes. Also, she recommends mothers don't be afraid to try on something more daring than what they "think" they should be wearing.

"The ladies that meet with me often want to wear a suit so she doesn't overshadow her daughter," said Richmond. "That's really hard to do unless you wear something trashy, and I don't think you're going to wear something trashy."

Tuttle just advises moms to not get frustrated.

"I looked and looked and then finally just found the jacket," she said. "Keep your receipts, start early, don't get frustrated and keep looking."

E-mail: nwarburton@desnews.com