Style Diaries: A Mother-Daughter Wedding Shopping Experience with Sachin & Babi

The moment of saying "yes" to the wedding dress gets all the glory, but the mother of the bride (or groom) undoubtedly wants to look her best too! There are photographs to pose for, toasts to make and a night of celebration that will be remembered for years to come. To make the most of this shopping journey and find the perfect dress, we visited the Sachin & Babi New York City showroom for an inside look at their intimate, by appointment personalized styling sessions. See how a mother and daughter team got the VIP treatment as they searched for an elegant mother of the bride dress to honor this meaningful moment. The bride-to-be was also able to try on the brand's exclusive little white dress collection designed for events like an engagement shoot, shower or rehearsal dinner.

The Showroom Experience

Dresses and accessories on display in the Sachin & Babi showroom.

Sachin & Babi are known for impeccable craftsmanship and attention to detail, creating special-occasion dresses that feel timeless, and they also recently added coordinating accessories to their collections to complete each look. That made the brand a perfect fit for Victoria and Amanda Dubin, both of Victoria Dubin Events. The duo have planned countless weddings together, which is why they understand just how much thought and care go into choosing the right look for the occasion. And now it's Amanda's turn as a bride: Her upcoming black-tie nuptials will be held at a contemporary art museum, with a "very curated, clean and modern" vibe.

Sachin & Babi offer private fittings at their elegant showroom, where a dedicated stylist hand selects dresses based on your personal style and event ahead of your visit. Each session is designed to make you feel celebrated and includes access to atelier-level tailoring and on-site alterations to ensure your chosen dress fits like a dream. To set up your own expert styling experience, book a private appointment at their New York showroom.

A Sachin & Babi private stylist was on hand to curate a personalized dress selection for Amanda and her mom.

At their appointment, Victoria and Amanda explored a variety of both mother-of-the-bride and little white dresses. The little white dress collection was inspired by the modern bride's busy calendar. "Every moment deserves to feel special," says Babi Ahluwalia, the creative director and cofounder of Sachin & Babi. "These dresses are designed to capture the romance of the occasion while remaining versatile and easy to wear."

Amanda works with the brand's head of technical design, who oversees all of the in-house alterations.

Inside the Appointment

When designing their mother of the bride or groom dresses, Sachin & Babi were focused on that special relationship a mother has with her child, and giving mom a chance to shine. "For us, the role of the mother is all about love, support and joy… Our gowns are designed with that in mind, helping mothers feel radiant and confident, deeply part of the day and beautiful," says Ahluwalia.

Victoria, a seasoned veteran of black-tie affairs and formal dressing, was impressed by the diversity of styles from which she could choose. "Their materials, fashion and fit were a standout," she says. "They seemed current, on trend, a bit edgy but so classic, timeless and elegant at the same time."

So which gowns were the favorites of the day? Victoria loved the pieces her stylist selected so much, she had a tough time choosing. "To be honest, I did not have a favorite as I liked them all for different reasons," she says. "I could see wearing many of these dresses and feeling very special at any time." But there were some standout details she absolutely loved.

On Victoria: Sachin & Babi Lucille gown
On Amanda: Sachin & Babi Ophelia dress

Victoria was taken with the beading and elegance of the Lucille gown (above). "It felt very glamorous," she says. Here, Amanda tries on the flirty Ophelia dress while admiring her mom's choice.

On Victoria: Sachin & Babi Sophia gown
On Amanda: Sachin & Babi Shay dress and Cloque Chelsea Heel

The Sophia gown was also a winner. "The fit, material, design and color were fabulous and very much my sensibility in understated elegance," Victoria says. For Amanda, she was surprised to find herself gravitating toward more feminine styles, like the embellished Shay dress, shown above. "The way the fits were cut made me see those silhouettes in a new light," she says.

On Victoria: Sachin & Babi Arden gown
On Amanda: Sachin & Babi Fern gown

Victoria also loved the two-tone Arden gown: "It felt effortless and chic—the pockets helped create that feeling." Amanda stunned in the figure-skimming Fern gown. "The fabrics look and feel both luxe and special, making each piece stand out," Amanda says.

Sachin & Babi Iris top and Alli pant
Amanda's top pick wasn't a dress at all, but a beaded top paired with sleek white pants. "It felt effortless and comfortable, but extremely elevated and stylish. This would be perfect for a rehearsal dinner, shower or even an after-party," she says.

Final Advice

On Amanda: Sachin & Babi Farah dress in ivory
On Victoria: Sachin & Babi Colette gown in silver/night sky

Victoria's tip for other mothers of the bride or groom? Find something with color, sparkle or embellishment that helps you stand out from the crowd. "Wear something…that a guest would not wear. You should feel very special and beautiful in what you choose, and it should stand the test of time in style and elegance," she says. At the end of the day, it's about finding something that complements the rest of the wedding party, but also highlights your honored place at this major life milestone.

For brides searching for the perfect little white dress, Amanda suggests starting with your main event look and branching out from there. "I recommend finding your wedding gown first and then building the story of your wardrobe around it for the surrounding events," she says. "You want everything to feel cohesive, but allow the opportunity to have fun, experiment and even take a style risk you've always wanted to try."

What's most important is that you love your look and feel fabulous in it. "Start with how you want to feel: confident, elegant, joyful, and let that guide your decision," suggest the designers Sachin and Babi Ahluwalia. "Our silhouettes are designed to punctuate what our customer finds beautiful about herself. It is the first question we ask, what do you love about yourself?"

Once the appointment was complete, the founders, Sachin and Babi Ahluwalia, joined the mother and daughter duo to congratulate them and offer best wishes.

Book your own personalized styling session at the Sachin & Babi New York City showroom for a curated experience and on-site alterations, or explore the entire collection online.