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<p>Well, that’s silly. I have a friend who hates orchids (it was a running joke because every guy she dated would send her a bouquet or nosegay and it was invariably orchids). So I wouldn’t send HER orchids. But that doesn’t mean that I would be under any obligation not to ever have orchids myself.</p>
<p>If I were the bride, I wouldn’t want a surprise honeymoon planned by my in-laws. Even if in the end it turned out to be a trip I’d like, I still have had all that stress worrying that I wouldn’t like it and would have to be polite about a honeymoon I hated.</p>
<p>The Orient Express sounds wonderful, and I suggest offering it in a nonsurprise offer.</p>
<p>Dizzy- I think that dress is lovely. You can keep it understated with simple shoes and jewelry, limited bling. If you look at the reception venue’s website, you might find pictures of other weddings to get an idea of the guest’s attire. Have fun.</p>
<p>Dizzy, that dress is gorgeous. And Woody, please tell me you’re getting a temporary tattoo for the occasion! Your whole family could get them together!</p>
<p>This thread is putting me in the right frame of mind to watch “Say Yes to the Dress” shortly.</p>
<p>^^My DIL and I used to watch Say Yes to the Dress together, long-distance style. We’d both watch (me in Ohio, her in DC) and chat and comment on each dress/ argument etc.</p>
<p>When I was invited to go bridal shopping with her and her grandmother, I was thrilled. I kept my opinions all to myself (so proud of that). She bought a beautiful, elegant, very simple dress…after about a zillion try-ons. She was stunning and my son was blown away.</p>
<p>And sometimes we still watch Say Yes together…if one of us happen to catch on tv we call each other.</p>
<p>boysx3,</p>
<p>That is nice about you and your DIL. </p>
<p>I was given the color choice as MOG for my S’s wedding, but the MOB told her D that I was to wear a jacket with my dress as I am "old’. DIL told me to wear the style that was me, whether it had a jacket or not. I ordered it from Nordstrom’s on line. It arrived the same day I left for Europe. It was sleeveless, blue taffeta. It fit me perfectly, except for the length, which I had altered over there. When I went to the seamstress, I brought both pairs of shoes I was going to wear that evening. She made it a length that looked great with both the heels and flats. I got lots of compliments. MOB could not believe I was able to order something on line that would fit. But, then she is older than I by 9 years, and has never used a computer. True!</p>
<p>Back to the OP…how did today’s dress preview go? See anything you liked?</p>
<p>Thanks for asking! No, I put on Spanx for nothing. There were many purple dresses–but I also looked at the navy, cranberry and fuchsia ones. They were either too matronly or too young looking or too fussy or too plain. I tried on only one dress, and really just to say I had done it–but I’ve got plenty of time.</p>
<p>I think the bride who forbade the guests to wear hats and fascinators is nuts. First of all, all books of wedding photos are going to includes one that look dated and “of their time” sooner or later because they are filled with people living at a certain specific time. Unless you’re taking a picture of Yosemite with no people in it, photos are going to have a dated look to them eventually–and that’s part of their charm. The bride just ruined other people’s joyful creativity for her own sense of control. And I say that even though I actually secretly agree with her that the British trend of absurd-looking hats is actually pretty damn ugly and makes me roll my eyes. I guess you can make a case for people who are going to be in the formal photos being coordinated, but not the guests!</p>
<p>Good luck with finding your dress,dg5052. Keep us posted!</p>
<p>Keep looking dg5052! The right dress is out there–or at the dressmakers!</p>
<p>Went to a wedding yesterday, beautiful event, the couple looked so happy. I will say I probably made more attention to the clothes, etc after reading this thread. Everyone looked nice, but the fit on several of the bridesmaids dresses was not good…really not good on one. We’ve known the MOB/FOB for years, I was surprized at the color she choose, very light cream/goldish. Not her best color, but maybe the bride liked it. All and all a nice day…great DJ really kept the dance floor busy with all generations. I think I would start the dancing sooner, and serve food earlier. The wedding was in the early afternoon, evening reception. Dinner was about two hours into the reception…dancing started about an hour later. Another wedding we attended recently, the First Dance was after the toasts, Bride and Groom visited tables during dinner service. There was no receiving line, and the Bride and Groom did not visit the tables during the reception.</p>
<p>Is it possible the request for a specific color has to do with how the wedding photos will look? Maybe the photographer has something to do with this.</p>
<p>Started looking at MOG dresses online last night after this thread. This is not going to go well. Not finding much I’d wear or that would fit. I don’t do sleeveless, strapless or a heel over 2". A casual wedding sounds better all the time! :)</p>
<p>I do not foresee any near future need for a MOG dress (first DS needs some dates; then I’ll start thinking about it) but just for fun found a page of Nordstrom purple “mother” dresses - lots of options! [Mother</a> of the Bride Dresses - Wedding Shop Gowns | Nordstrom](<a href=“http://shop.nordstrom.com/c/wedding-mother-dresses#category=b60126209&type=category&page=1&sort=featured&sortreverse=0&size=&width=&color=purple&price=&brand=&instoreavailability=false&lastfilter=color&sizeFinderId=2]Mother”>http://shop.nordstrom.com/c/wedding-mother-dresses#category=b60126209&type=category&page=1&sort=featured&sortreverse=0&size=&width=&color=purple&price=&brand=&instoreavailability=false&lastfilter=color&sizeFinderId=2)</p>
<p>Countingdown, this is really what I was thinking when this topic was started. It took me a long time to find what I wanted to wear to each of my Ds’ weddings. If I had additionally been restricted to a particular color, my search would have been even more difficult. It isn’t as simple as going to the mall and finding a dress! 
Or maybe I’m just picky. After searching for a long time, I ended up ordering online, both times.</p>
<p>Went with my mom today to get the grandmother of the bride dress and were successful! Got a dress, shoes and even had fun. Which is unusual because my mom is tough. My almost-13-year-old came and pushed the wheelchair, did “donuts” with it and was a champ. We ended up with a calf length black chiffon skirt with a black shell with silver embroidery all over it and a matching Mao-style jacket closed at the top with a silver and crystal brooch. Black, sparkly ballet flats complete the ensemble. It’s elegant, fancy and dignified. More importantly, it’s done!!!</p>
<p>Congratulations,zoosersmom. That sounds lovely. Do you still have to get something for yourself or are you all done?</p>
<p>Hey CountingDown… I’m going to my nephew’s wedding on Friday. I’m a big gal and found a dress online at Macy’s. They do a dress by body type thing and I struck gold! it’s a sleeveless dark blue taffeta with a jacket, 3/4 length sleeve and a Mandarin collar. Very light material so dancing will be cool enough. I’m wearing 1 1/2 heel. Less than $150. Certainly could be a MOG dress.
Check it out…</p>