Dress Shopping Without Mom

bsidebella

Ely's post made me excited because I am going dress shopping within the next 6 months or so, and sad at the same time. I trust my mom a lot in terms of what looks good on me and what doesn't - she isn't afraid to say, "Take that schmata off, you look like a marshmallow!" I have never really like going clothes shopping with out her because of her honesty. She moved to Arizona in August and frankly, I am not looking forward to dress shopping without her.

I love my friends to death, but I'm not 100% sure how honest they can be with me when it comes to this kind of thing. FI's mom and I aren't that close, so I would feel weird asking her. My grandma and I have completely different tastes, so I don't really want to bring her - however, I am her only granddaughter, she is contributing financially to the wedding, and I think she would really love to come with me (also, I have a back tattoo I am hiding from her and if she comes with me, she'll see it for sure).

Are any of you dealing with an absent mom? How did you deal or planning to deal with not going wedding dress shopping with your mom?

leia1979

My mom is the full-time caretaker for my brother, so it's hard for her to get out much. She was able to come with me one time, but the rest of the time I went by myself, and I went to a lot of shops.

I'll admit, dress shopping wasn't the experience I was hoping it to be because it just wasn't something that fit in my mom or my friends' schedules. On the plus side, because I went on my own, I often went on weeknights when the bridal salons are empty. I did prefer the peace and quiet and the full attention of the consultant.

tuarceatha

Aw!

My mom is sorta absent, but there. She and my dad have begun the procedures to get divorced this year and so she is quite distracted/uninterested in wedding planning. I wish soooo much that she was more supportive, but I understand that this is a sore subject for her, and bad timing--for her.

So I'm leaning on me mostly. I've gone with friends, and my sister and mom--but I dunno I think it'll come down to me and the dress. I've had FI point out some dresses he thinks are nice, and have been pleased to see he picks what I'm also drawn towards. That's something for me.

[Deleted User]

Just an idea, could you skype or video chat with your mom while dress shopping. Even texing pictures of dresses might suffice. It isn't the same of course, but it might help.

TheMutleys

If you plan it far enough in advance, could your mom make a weekend out it and visit? 

I didn't have my mom there, but I don't really like her.  She was pissed because it wasn't about HER.  (She lived 3000 miles away and was too busy to come out until 3 months before our wedding date.)   I had two very close friends go with me.  One was my former principal and I lived with her for awhile.  The other was one of my mentors.  We had a fabulous time. 

Elle1036

My mom didn't come with me to any of my dress appointments.  She didn't act like she really wanted to, so I didn't even tell her when I was going.  Plus, she had been really nitpicky about the dresses I had pointed out to her that I liked, and I didn't want to risk her talking me out of something I really liked.

Actually, I went completely by myself on my last trip.  I just wanted to find something I liked and not have to please others.  Plus, I don't have that many local friends.

Bella, if you need somebody to be honest with you, take pictures and post them here.  We'll gladly help.

csousa1

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_dress-shopping-mom?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:136Discussion:6df9d224-f61e-4398-9208-dcc670cf15dbPost:3951225b-5308-4a3a-a88f-eaf9f37217a6">Re: Dress Shopping Without Mom</a>:
[QUOTE]My mom didn't come with me to any of my dress appointments.  She didn't act like she really wanted to, so I didn't even tell her when I was going.  Plus, she had been really nitpicky about the dresses I had pointed out to her that I liked, and I didn't want to risk her talking me out of something I really liked. Actually, I went completely by myself on my last trip.  I just wanted to find something I liked and not have to please others.  Plus, I don't have that many local friends. <strong>Bella, if you need somebody to be honest with you, take pictures and post them here.  We'll gladly help</strong>.
Posted by Elle1036[/QUOTE]

This. We would never let you look like a marshmallow.

DanieKA

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_dress-shopping-mom?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:6df9d224-f61e-4398-9208-dcc670cf15dbPost:cb9c01ea-c15c-487a-b1d8-7c7fa4efd6b9">Re: Dress Shopping Without Mom</a>:
[QUOTE]Just an idea, could you skype or video chat with your mom while dress shopping. Even texing pictures of dresses might suffice. It isn't the same of course, but it might help.
Posted by swigdor[/QUOTE]

<div>I was gonna suggest some type of web chat as well. I don't know if it's just in the Atlanta area, but the places around here that I've been to with friends, as recently as a few weeks ago, don't allow any pics. Of course we all tried to sneak cell phone pics and got a few blurry ones, but nothing like when people post here. But many of them will let you video chat or skype! Especially if your mom isn't there. Hopefully that's an option. </div><div>
</div><div>Or like Mutley suggested, planning far enough in advance where your mom could come back and you guys could hit up several stores in a weekend. That would be awesome. </div>

bsidebella

I love you guys <3

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_dress-shopping-mom?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:136Discussion:6df9d224-f61e-4398-9208-dcc670cf15dbPost:bcb1a955-1122-41c7-b339-94b8a3e8dfa3">Re: Dress Shopping Without Mom</a>:
[QUOTE]If you plan it far enough in advance, could your mom make a weekend out it and visit?
Posted by TheMutleys[/QUOTE]

It's an option, most definitely. I'm just scaring myself, thinking, "What if she can't? What if she says no?" I guess I'm preparing myself for a let down.

dwest2201

I think it's best to try to include your mom...if she can't make it then okay, but at least you offered and don't have to worry about her being upset about not being included.  If she wants to be a part and can't make it perhaps you can have a friend take pictures and email them to her?