We design and make mother of the bride and mother of the groom gowns in our Dulwich Hill atelier, either bespoke, designed with Catherine from a blank page, or from the Evening Couture Collection, made to order to your measurements in four to six weeks. Because we often make the bride’s gown too, the mothers’ gowns can be designed to sit beside it in colour, fabric and formality.
On this page
What are my options?
Bespoke
Catherine designs your gown with you: consultation, hand-drawn sketch, fabric chosen together, a toile, and fittings until it is right. This is the way to a gown designed around your shape, your colouring and the wedding itself. Anna F, a mother of the groom, wrote: “She listened to my vision and went above and beyond to create a spectacular gown for my son’s wedding.”
The Evening Couture Collection
Four coloured gowns from Catherine’s New York Fashion Week show in September 2026: gold and amethyst, silver organza, scarlet velvet, and the black Chantilly lace finale. Each is made to order to your measurements in four to six weeks and quoted at your consultation. It suits a mother who loves one of the looks as it is, or who has less time. See the Evening Couture Collection.
| Bespoke | Evening Couture Collection | |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Created for you | One of four New York evening looks |
| Fit | Toile and several fittings | Made to your measurements |
| Time | Allow several months | Four to six weeks |
| Price | Quoted individually | Quoted at your consultation |
How do I coordinate with the bride?
Coordinating does not mean matching. The mothers should look like part of the same wedding, without competing with the bride or each other. In practice that comes down to a few decisions:
- Colour. Avoid white, ivory and anything that reads as bridal in photos. Choose a colour that suits your skin and sits well with the bridesmaids. At Jamie’s wedding, her mother wore blue chosen to complement her eyes.
- Formality. Match the wedding. A church and evening reception may call for floor length; a daytime garden wedding can be lighter.
- Fabric. Echo something in the bride’s gown. Jamie’s gown used Italian embroidered lace, and her mother’s gown was imported Italian lace over a one-shoulder tube dress, finished with a satin bow.
- The two mothers. Talk to each other early about colour and length, so the gowns look good together in family photos.
When we design the whole wedding party, this is easier, because one person is holding the whole picture. For Lia’s wedding Catherine designed the bride’s gown, the mother of the bride, the mother of the groom and three bridesmaids. For Taharna’s, she made the gown, both mothers, five bridesmaids and five flower girls.
Can a gown be elegant and comfortable?
Yes, and for a mother it needs to be. You will be standing for photos, greeting guests, sitting through speeches and probably dancing. A gown made to your body helps most, because nothing pulls or rides up. Some things to raise at your consultation:
- Sleeves. Sheer lace or chiffon sleeves give coverage without heat or bulk. A cap or flutter sleeve, or a separate wrap, are other choices. Tell us honestly which parts of your arms or shoulders you like to cover.
- Support. Built-in support shaped to you means you can often go without a separate bra or shapewear.
- Fabric. Silk georgette and chiffon drape and breathe; heavier fabrics such as velvet suit winter and evening weddings.
- Length and shoes. Bring the shoes you will wear to your fittings so the hem is right.
- Movement. Sit, lift your arms and walk at every fitting. If something feels tight, say so.
When should I start?
For a bespoke gown, start once the bride has made her main decisions about her own gown and the colour palette, ideally several months before the wedding, so there is time for the toile and fittings without pressure. If the bride is having her gown made with us, we can plan the mothers’ gowns alongside it.
If the wedding is close, the Evening Couture Collection is made to your measurements in four to six weeks.
What does it cost?
Every gown is quoted individually, because the fabric, design and hand-work decide the price. There are no hidden costs: the only extra cost is changing the design or fabric once your gown is in production, and we discuss that with you first. Your private consultation is $150, credited in full to your gown, and a 50% deposit begins the work.
Anna F summed up her experience: “Her attention to detail is like no other.” To start on your gown, book a consultation at our Dulwich Hill atelier, or read about bridesmaid and flower girl dresses designed with the bride’s gown.
