A bit of a different slant--Father of the groom shenanigans. When we got married, I bought my fiance a nice navy suit, which was quite the chore back in the day before there were lots of options for tall guys; he is/was 6'4" and 180 lbs. Anyway, I found a nice 3 piece suit in a conservative navy. My father had a nice suit in a conservative navy. I asked my future FIL to wear a nice suit in a conservative navy. At which point he went out and bought a nice suit in a conservative BROWN! I was sooooo angry at him, and since he was the best man I was convinced my dream wedding image for the guys was ruined. So, on our wedding day there was my FIL resplendent in his brown suit. I was still a tad miffed, right till we were all leaving the church and as we walked out the doors, he suddenly gave me the world's biggest hug, with the joyful comment 'now you're part of the family!' and the world's biggest smile to go along with it. He's gone now but thinking of that moment still makes me smile every time. It was a good lesson too about whats important and what's not on a wedding day. Happy memories come from what we do and say, not what we wear...have a wonderful wedding! Ann

So at long last I have an update. I did try on quite a few- and ended up with 3 finalists. I anguish over most decisions, this one included. The original one, I tried on again and didn't love it as much and also realized that while I could wear a strapless bra if I were perhaps a guest, as mother of the bride who wants to dance and go crazy, that was not an option. I spent m time at the stores, and also ordered quite a few (at the end, I was ordering dresses in 2 sizes because you never know. ( I don't know how the picture will show up but I got this dress in navy and I love it. It is understated but has some bling, is long but not sweeping the floor, very flattering on and-------has a short sleeve bolero jacket for coverage but looks good without It as well. I actually took it to a tailor today to tweak it. It covers me fine, but she will raise the straps a tad and also ensure that the bra straps are totally covered. I am very excited and cannot wait to wear it. and----it's comfy!!! Now for shoes. I know I want strappy, and am looking for super comfy but of course pretty. I think a wedge could work since it is a garden wedding......... but yay I have a dress!! Here is a link that might be useful: prettiness

I've encountered more Mom-zillas than brides. Stick to your guns. You did the work requested. If there is a flood the morning of the wedding, and the gown floats out of the bride's home, and the bride wears a flour sack to the ceremony, they still have to pay for the work you did. I would have asked for cash, in this case. The time to quibble over a bustle style is the first time it is being pinned, not after it is done. I did have a colleague of sorts who didn't say anything about an increase in price in a situation just like yours. In the end, I don't know if she surprised the bride with the price,or just ended up feeling taken advantage of.

Connie.. you could go with the last one, and add a really fancy, or embellished bolero/shrug/fine knit cropped sweater. If you cant find a fancy one, you can get a plain one and embellish it. All of the ones shown are very pretty. I did a little search, but no fall colors right now. Maybe in a month or two. the link below shows a really fine spun/woven knit. then here are a couple... things too http://chicforless.net/product/1/41/Embellished-Cropped-Cardigan.html http://www1.bloomingdales.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=80677&CategoryID=2910&PartnerID=SHP&cm_mmc=PMD-_-NexTag-_-Product_Terms-_-Sutton_Studio_Exclusive_Shrug_Misses' Here is a link that might be useful: cute georgette dress... But the shrug is what I was looking at. you could really add something special to the neck and front borders on this