Category: Mother of the Bride Blog

The saying “it’s not a formal wedding” is one of the most common phrases we hear upstairs, or that our occasion wear is too formal but here at Anne Furbank we try to cater for all styles of weddings.

Weddings have changed a lot, as we discussed in our blog last week regarding tights. However what was traditionally done isn’t necessarily the case now. Therefore I would like to tell you about a couple of makes we have instore that would be perfect for a non formal wedding.

The first is Jane, previously known as Goat, their fabrics, patterns and styles are simple yet timeless, their ethic is luxury investment pieces and they really are.

Another make that I am sure you have all heard of is Joseph Ribkoff, but did you know he has a Joseph Ribkoff Signature range that we have instore. Our feature image for this blog is from this collection. His signature range is dressier than his normal range but not as formal as some of our other Mother of the Bride or Mother of the Groom brands.

When you first walk in to see us we always ask questions like where is the venue? colour schemes etc so we can get a sense of what the wedding day will be like so we help you find the best outfit for you.

Keeping on the theme of Winter Weddings, another way you could keep warmer is by adding a pair of tights. However it is not a written rule that you have to wear tights to a wedding.

Tights have changed so much and there are now so many different options available. Opaque, black, matt, shiny, different denier etc. It’s always worth doing your research to see what pair would be best for you.

Some people say traditionally you should wear tights but traditionally you should always wear a hat to a wedding. Recently weddings have been less formal with some of our Mother of the Brides or Mother of the Grooms saying we don’t need to wear a hat. Times have changed and a lot of it is personal preference and what you feel happy wearing.

Over the weekend I was talking with a family member and they said to me that winter weddings are so much harder when looking for an outfit compared to summer weddings. I wondered to myself how many other people feel this way? So with this week’s post I thought why not give you some inspiration and different looks you could try.

Last week we spoke about trousers, a jumpsuit or suit is a perfect option for a winter wedding. Or maybe even a coat dress like our feature images on this blog by designer Teresa Ripoll.

You could also play with different textures, fur, velvet or even sequins come into fashion for winter, so why not look for something sparkly?

Colour wise all the jewelled colours are perfect for a winter wedding so look at your emeralds, rubys, sapphires etc, plus you have your golds and silvers.

I hope this post has given you some ideas when looking for an outfit for a winter wedding, remember we are here to help so please do not hesitate to contact us.

We are coming into Winter Wedding Season and one of the questions we get asked a lot is can I wear trousers? Do I have to wear a dress? So we always tell our customers if its ok with the Bride then yes wear trousers.

Recently suits have come back into fashion, members of the royal family have been seen wearing them to events,  celebrities such as Cara Delevingne wore a suit to Princess Eugenie’s Wedding in 2018.

Designers like Veni Infantino are making outfits  with trousers just like the one in our picture for this weeks blog. You still want to look and feel like you so if that means trousers then go for it, you need to be happy and comfortable in what you are wearing so you can truly enjoy the day.

Weddings are not just for summer. And there is no reason why you shouldn’t be as glamourous at a winter wedding as a summer one. Brands have come up with some genius ideas to make your outfit special but also make it wearable for other special occasions.

Take this Veni Infantino faux fur trimmed dress. The faux fur muff not only keep your hands warm but adds a touch of vintage glamour. The genius bit, the faux fur cuffs and collar are all detachable so you can look super glamourous for your wedding and the simplicity of a beautifully styled dress to take you all year round.

If you have an autumn or winter wedding then now is the time to pay us a visit.

Since 2020 our Mother of the Bride blog has been a little dormant but we are back. It has been a challenging few years for those of you who planned to get married in 2020/21. We’ve heard so many stories of weddings that have been postponed not only once but two or three times. We’ve had babies born in between, we’ve had weddings changed from 150 guests to 6 guests and the tales go on. Like our blog we are back on track and 2022 has seen many of you tying the knot. It also looks like the catch up is continuing into 2023 and beyond. Anyway we are delighted to be back and hopefully you will find our blogs inspiring and informative. We have over 40 year of experience in helping Mother’s and Guests find their perfect outfit so there is plenty of knowledge in the bank!

Hats or head pieces have been around for centuries starting as tribal markers, native Americans and Egyptians are very well documented to have worn decorative head pieces.

In British culture they became a status symbol of wealth and stature in Tudor times. And then fashion took hold with the 1920s flappers completing their outfit with pearls, feathers and cloche hats.

In the 1980s, London-based milliners Stephen Jones and Philip Treacy popularized fascinators and we can all remember the famous head pieces at William and Kate’s wedding.

Fascinators have remained popular and the term fascinator seems slightly understated for what can be attached to a band or comb. The advantage of a hat or fascinator is that they elongate your silhouette by adding the illusion of height. They can also preserve your hair, unlike a hat which can flatten your gorgeous blow dry.

With all this history it would be a shame not to top your outfit off with its crowning glory.

Saturday 20th June 2020 is set to be the most popular date for couples getting married this year. The summer solstice means couples can celebrate on the longest day of the year, making the most of the party.

2020 is also set to be one that sees a number of new trends. A return to Victorian style wedding dresses, high necks, cathedral length veils and cleaner simpler lines.

Mini-moons and British honeymoons are back in trend with some sharing theirs with friends.

Informal flowers and fairy lights are more popular that structured bouquets. Even food trends are making their way to weddings with free-from menus and non-alcoholic weddings not being unsual.

Fashion for mothers and guests also reflects this general mood with softer dressing, floaty skirts and options for soft trousers instead of structured suits all being worn. Joseph Ribkoff is a perfect option for this with their co-ordinated seperates that are still glamorous but on a less formal basis.

Our spring has already sprung with occasion wear collections arriving in store. Condici, Fely Campo and new brand Ronald Joyce already on the shop floor.

Ronald Joyce has been designing and making dresses for brides, bridesmaids and mothers of the bride since the 1950s. It is another prestigious British brand that has made it’s mark in occasionwear and we are delighted to have its spring 2020 collection in store.

The designs are beautifully feminine with longer lines being a key feature of the collection this season. Cut and shaped with women in mind and taking note of all the areas we like to hide or accentuate.

With some designs already in store, if you have a wedding next year then it is definitely worth a visit.

Not everyone gets weeks to plan an outfit for a wedding. Sometimes our children like to spring a suprise on us. From engagement to wedding can be a matter of weeks. The beauty of occasion wear is that there is something available all year round – so don’t panic. During training this week we put together some great looks for events that are happening right now. Spanish label Fely Campo, Irish label Aideen Bodkin and Italian brand D’Exterior provided the inspiration for events that are happening right now.

Our advice is don’t panic, we will get you looking fabulous and feeling comfortable in your own style.