Mother of the Bride Diary: Part two

Mother-of-the-bride, Elaine Cook talks napkins

Ombred napkins! Is that how you spell it? When I was much younger and a bit of a rock chick, I could have been found tie-dyeing (that’s the original name for it) the odd T-shirt or skirt in my mother’s enamel (thank goodness) sink, prodding and stirring it for ages while at the same time desperately trying not to let the dye splash on anything around. The results varied from “psychedelic and cool” to a bit disappointing and wishy-washy, leaving me wondering why I had ruined a perfectly good article of clothing! So, I feel it is with ombred napkins. Oh dear. What’s wrong with crisp, white, expensive looking hired napkins? No waste, no washing, no worry!

But then that’s a mother’s take on things, I suppose and Tom and Gemma constantly astound me with their creative ideas so I shall just have to trust them. Mind you, I did make them a pink ombred engagement cake which I was rather pleased with. There’s a picture on Facebook somewhere.

So this is my tip for the week. Expect the unexpected. Challenge your own ideas of how your daughter’s wedding should be because you can bet your last glass of merlot that it won’t be hers!

Go with the flow, chill, trust, have another glass of wine. The chances are all the work you’ve put in over the growing up years will surface at some level so we end up with a sweet compromise. We will have lovely napkins. Will they ombred? Mmmm... probably!

Next - my experience of the bridesmaid dress shopping trip! See, I was allowed to come along. Result!

Elaine Cook is the mother of wedding stationer, Gemma Milly, for more information visit www.gemmamilly.com