Mother-in-law’s wedding dress dilemma after son’s fiancee insists on matching outfits

It seems like brides are getting more and more difficult as the years go by. And this story may just be one of the craziest we’ve heard!

A mother-in-law has found herself in an awkward situation after her son’s fiancee suggested she’d like her and her own mother to wear matching dresses to the wedding. The woman has since taken to the online forum Gransnet to ask for advice on how to kindly decline the bizarre request.

“My youngest son is getting married later this year,” she began. “I’ve really been looking forward to a lovely family do as there’s been some ill health in the family the past couple of years.”

The woman said she had already sorted out a lovely frock for the upcoming wedding and was in the process of looking for shoes, when she got an email from her future daughter-in-law.

“She’s sent me a link to a dress she’d like me (AND HER MOTHER) to wear?” she said. “This is odd, yes? It’s a hideous colour (on me anyway) and looks quite snug and I really don’t have the figure to pull that off.

“I really don’t want to be all matchy matchy with the mother of the bride. How do I tell her — nicely of course — that this isn’t for me?”

To make matters worse, the woman went on to say that her daughter-in-law and her mother have been emailing back and fourth raving about how wonderful the dress is and how lovely they’re all going to look on the day.

“It’s her wedding, I know, but on top of it all my ex-husband will be there and I really don’t want to look like a very dowdy sack of pastel,” she added. “Help!”

Fellow Gransnet users have since weighed in on the matter, with the majority agreeing it’s an off request. One commenter wrote: “Weird! A bit controlling and OTT [over the top]!”

Another added: “How strange! Unless it has been agreed beforehand just let her know that you would rather choose your own outfit.”

While a third suggested to just be completely honest with her, and explain to the bride that the dress won’t do her any favours.

“Sounds to me as if her mother has chosen this dress, one that suits her figure and colouring, and you’re just being expected to fit in with her,” they wrote. “I’ve never in my life come across matching mum outfits, and it’s rather unfair of her to ask this of you in my opinion. You should talk to her about it, explains that the dress does you no favours and you therefore want to choose your own outfit for the wedding.”

Meanwhile, one reader said this isn’t the first they’ve heard of this, saying they’ve been to weddings where certain guests were requested to send a photo of their outfits to the bride for approval before the big day

“I do know a couple of brides — not my dil [daughter-in-law] thankfully, that have requested certain guests, especially immediate family adhere to a specific colour code when choosing an outfit. I’m also aware of a wedding where the bride insisted immediate family & close friends (anybody who would be in a lot of the pictures) send her a photo of their outfit for approval! However having the actual dress chosen is a new one on me. How is your relationship with your dil, could you mention that while you’re so excited for her big day you just don’t feel comfortable in the dress she has selected?”