A mother has been accused of trying to upstage her daughter due to the dress that she wore to her wedding.
Lori Dewitt, a mother from Louisiana, wore a striking green floral custom dress from the brand Audrey + Brooks.
The dress featured a plunging neckline, detachable bow, and train, as highlighted by an Instagram reel that captured her walking down the aisle.
The bride, Amanda Dewitt Leblanc, opted for an off-the-shoulder trumpet gown by designer Romona Keveza for her big day.
However, it was the 53-year-old mother's dress that stole the spotlight, with many commentators criticizing her choice. Some accused her of trying to outshine her daughter on her special day.
One person questioned: "Why does MOB (mother of the bride) want to be the centre of attention?"
A second said: "She's trying to upstage her daughter," while a third person added: "This mom is looking for all the attention, very sad."
Despite the negativity, a lot of comments also defended the mom.
"I think she looks absolutely stunning and if you feel intimidated well then that’s your own damn [problem]," one person wrote, with a second saying: "I love this so much! I want my Mom to feel SO beautiful on my wedding day."
A third person said: "This MOB looks absolutely STUNNING and I’d be proud if that was my mom."
The controversy has not fazed Lori and Amanda, who are taking the attention in stride.
“We didn’t realise my dress was going to spark a debate, but we’re laughing about it,” Lori told TODAY.com. “I’m the last person you’d expect to go viral. I don’t even post photos!”
Amanda, 26, and her mother bought their dresses during a shopping trip to New York City.
The popularity of Lori's dress has even led to a waitlist at Flora on Madison, the store where it was purchased.
“The response has been amazing. We have a substantial number of women on the waitlist. We are taking virtual appointments for our out-of-town requests,” Flora Petakas, the store owner, told The New York Post.
“I encourage the mothers of the wedding to wear a dress that makes them feel beautiful and important, don’t minimise your role.”
Lori, an interior designer, made a slight alteration to the dress to ensure it was appropriate for the Catholic Church ceremony.
“It was originally strapless – but I didn’t think that was appropriate for a Catholic Church, so they changed the neckline,” she shared.
Despite the online backlash, Amanda was thrilled with her mother’s dress choice.
“I love what she wore. My mum looked absolutely stunning,” the Florida-based podiatrist told TODAY. She emphasized that she and her husband wanted their family members to feel special. “It was just as much her day as it was mine.”
Amanda’s mother-in-law also embraced a bold look, wearing a statuesque pink gown with statement flowers.
Although Lori found the criticism somewhat hurtful, she maintains a positive outlook.
“I would never do anything to hurt my daughter. Everybody just wanted to look their best,” she said. “For my next daughter’s wedding, I think I’m going to show up in a burlap sack that says MOB.”
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