Mothers across the land will be thinking rather differently about that wonderful chap Oscar de la Renta. While introducing his new season dresses on America’s Martha Stewart show (to be aired this Thursday on Hallmark), he dispensed his top tip for brides-to-be shopping for their dress - don’t bring your mother.

He explained, “The idea of the mother and the idea of the girl are two different things!”. It rather depends on the mother, but whatever her bridal bent it would take guts to deprive her of this mother/daughter rite of passage if that was what she wanted. If you find yourself at odds with your mother’s bridal vision yet torn between doing the right thing and leaving with a dress you’re happy with, follow these tips for total control;

  • · Pay for your own dress. Clearly the best way to retain autonomy

  • · Take second visits to shops with your friends

  • · Be happy to try on dresses you don’t like. Play the game, there’s worse fun to be had. And don’t revert to your 11 year old self and slump or scowl when you’re doing so...

  • · This gives you maximum mileage to play the “I just didn’t feel that special in it” card. Because who can argue with that?