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

The expectations on wedding attire is such a crock. Just wear a nice dress. Anything new should suffice. Get over yourself. It's ridiculous how much money is wasted on a single day's worth of stress and superficial nonsense.

Amen to Anonymous | 6:11 a.m. April 6,

The best wedding reception I ever went to, the families were of modest means, and were in their sunday best, (no rented clothes) in the cultural hall of our church (no cost for the reception center) and for refreshments there was koolaid in paper cups and home made cookies on church tables after we shook hands.

My estimate of the cost of this wedding and reception combined (weddings don't cost anything in our church). . . . . . . . about $30.00.

I'd follow their example, except I plan to encourage my kids not to have a reception at all.

We have friends of our family, that made payments on their oldest daughters wedding for over 7 years to pay for her wedding / reception.

When people say that people have to live within their means so government should too, I typically ask, which people are you talking about?

Personally, I don't worry so much about what I wear to a wedding but I know other people do. I guess I worry about stuff that other people find odd. Oh well, it would probably be a boring life if everyone were like me.

Don't invite the entire ward to the reception. Just family and the closest of friends. Have a buffet and a d.j. with dancing. Very fun and memorable. For the rest of the ward: a dessert and punch only affair on a different night.

I have just gone through the same search. Damon & Draper's is by far the best source for such an event. You can go online or find a location. This might help someone else with her search!

Unless you are rich enough that it doesn't put a dent in your budget (i.e. hire somebody to do it all for you) - forget the reception. I had a lovely one on a low budget - and my mom and I were exhausted. If I could go back in time and do it all over - I'd have a punch and (Costco) cake thing in my parents backyard after the wedding, and wear nice but comfortable clothes (no wedding dress or tux).

Does anyone else know of some good places to look for inexpensive, classy mother-of-the-bride dresses?? I'm in the process of looking... thanks!

seem's like stores don't sell dresses anyore. I'm a grandmother and wear asize 6-8. the only descent looking dresses are usually in women's sizes. anything smaller is for teenagers. why can't there be any in ladies sizes that are fashionable, and don't have hemlines 3 inches above the knee and necklines that don't go down to the navel. i also have narrow feet and find it almost impossible to find a descent pair of shoes that will stay on my feet. the clothing industry is a lost cause.

Try Candlelight in Sandy. They also have beautiful bridal dresses. Our daughters bought their dresses there. Beautiful and inexpensive ($200).

Why do Mormons receptions mimmick nonMormon weddings? And why don't Mormons restrict their wedding receptions to those who are close to the bridal families? I am sooo tired of getting invites from families whose children I do not know. Maybe if this became the rule brides would actually receive substantial and desired gifts instead of 32 casserole dishes.

There's a large sizes store in Murray on State Street around 5400 South (across from an auto dealership), which is closing. My mother-in-law and I recently picked up several dresses each there - originally $80+ for around $20 - and they were beautiful, one of hers is for her son's wedding.

Why the impulse to blame Mormons for weddings? Did it ever occur to you that you were getting invites to weddings of children you didn't know because you knew the PARENTS? Apparently they considered you were a friend.

Just out of curiosity, oh greedy one, what's your idea of a "substantial" gift?

Modest by Design-- they have 2 stores, one in Layton and one by Fashion Place mall-- Prom dresses, wedding dresses, and mother of bride dresses-- always have a great selection and reasonably priced

"Is" is right. We moved into a new ward 4 years ago. Within the first year we'd moved here, we received no less than 6 wedding invitations. Some of them we hadn't even met the parents, and none of them had we met the kids getting married. Our kids are much younger (oldest is now 14), and we're still getting invitations to weddings where we've never once met or spoken to the kids, and barely know the parents. It's ridiculous. If we're getting invited, then every last person in the ward must also be getting invited.

When one lives in a big ward, one feels obligated to invite almost everyone in it, so one does not offend by leaving anyone out. I know -- that's what I did. I didn't do it to obligate anyone to come to the reception or buy a gift. Just didn't want to hurt anyone's feelings. I assumed they were adult enough to decide if they felt close enough to attend. I get wedding invites and if I don't feel close to the family, I just regard it as an announcement--not a mandate to buy something.

I think part of it (inviting everyone) is for the gifts, but I also think that in the typical LDS Ward, people's feeling are hurt if they're not invited.

Just my humble opinion. Your Ward may be different.

Have a nice day in spite of it all.

Believe me, I understand the annoyance of being invited when you don't even know who the blazes they are. I've done my share of making fun (not in a mean way) of my husband's extended family because of this. Never met them, probably never will. Yet they waste their money on an invite to us. But did it occur to you that they may be doing that to not offend anyone? I know plenty of goofballs, within that very family I mentioned, that get offended when not included. It's childish, and they know better, yet they still do it. As for me, forget the stupid reception. It's annoying, at best. Party. Close family and friends. Much cheaper, much more fun. Gifts will come from those who care regardless.