TLDR: Mom’s dress looks white (she says it’s silver in person) and regardless of color I don’t really like the style on her. She can’t return it. What should I do?
I think I’m writing this to vent more than anything, but also need advice on how to move forward. My mom has been looking for a dress for my wedding since October and there have been quite a few that I have loved on her, but she just didn’t feel perfect in them. Which is understandable, it’s her only daughter’s wedding and she wants to love what she wears, and I want her to love it and feel good in it too. I felt kind of bad because we’ve been to so many stores and a lot of the options either look matronly or slutty. I may have started getting a little impatient with her just because every time I talked to her she changed her mind. She was going to get one dress and then said no, then ordered another one and liked it but then a week later changed her mind and was looking online again. First she wanted a purple color, then dusty rose, and last I heard she said she for sure wanted burgundy. I just kept saying “Wear what you like, they all have looked good on you” trying to be supportive. She made an appointment at a bridal shop today that also has mother of bride/groom dresses. I could not go so she had her friend go with her. Later in the evening I get a text with a picture of the dress she chose that said “This is what I’m getting. Final sale. I’m wearing this no matter what.” When I saw the picture I truly thought she was joking because it really looks straight up white, and that’s something she would joke about but then give in soon after. I even showed my fiancé who said she’s definitely joking. So I didn’t respond until I got home and called her. And she was serious and we face timed and she showed it to me in her closet. Now, her and my dad both say it is silver not white, which maybe I have to see it in person but if it looks white in this picture it’ll probably look white in our formal photos at the wedding, right? So I’m a little worried about that, but that’s not even my biggest concern about it. Regardless of color, I honestly don’t really like the dress :/ I think a few of the others she tried on did so much more for her figure and made her look younger. It could be a style preference, but for the most part her and I have been on the same page in that regard. I’m seeing her tomorrow and I know she’s going to ask if I like her dress and I don’t want to lie to her, but also she can’t return it so if I tell her what I really think it’ll just hurt her feelings and she’d be stuck with that dress or out a lot of money. I love her and she’s very sensitive about these things. She’s been pretty helpful with a lot of wedding stuff but sometimes I feel like she’s doing it for her. Any advice on what I should say to her?