So here’s the gist: I’m afraid my mom won’t look dressed up compared to everyone else, especially the groom’s family.
Long story: My mother has had a serious problem with over spending in the last 5 years to the point where my family is now severely in debt. When I told them of my engagement they said they wouldn’t be able to help with the wedding. That was fine, my fiancé and I were planning on paying for the wedding ourselves anyways. The real issue comes with the wedding attire. My mother and I started looking for a dress for her early. I knew it would have to be cheap but I still wanted her to feel pretty and look nice in the family photos. We found a couple of options and I was waiting for one to go on sale to give to her for Christmas (I’d already gifted her a beautiful dress for my bridal shower for Mother’s Day). Then she went thrift store shopping with my sister and found this dress in the picture and bought it for $7. While it technically passes as the wedding attire we were looking for, I don’t think it’s mother of the bride worthy. Still, I know that she is super proud she found this dress and was able to afford it on her own. Unfortunately, my future step-mother in-law also has a tight budget and had a beautiful used bridesmaid dress gifted to her in the same color. Honestly, I don’t want to police what she wears because she was lucky to get that dress but I don’t want my own mother to be upstaged either.
The question: Do I attempt to glam up the dress my mother has already purchased? What are ways I can do this? Or do I tell her how I feel and try to get her a new dress on sale?
