Katie Couric Just Wore the Perfect Mother-of-the-Bride Dress to a Gala—Here's How to Recreate Her Watercolor-Inspired Look

On Tuesday, October 24, 2023, Katie Couric was tasked with an important undertaking that she—to no one's surprise—executed with ease. The assignment? To turn heads at American Ballet Theatre's Fall 2023 Gala, where she was honored alongside the Shubert Foundation, a not-for-profit organization that supports the performing arts in the United States. For the occasion, held in Lincoln Center’s David H. Koch Theater, Couric stunned in a pink strapless Marchesa ball gown that featured watercolor florals; the blooms cascaded down from the bodice to the skirt of her dress. She added gold drop earrings, silver heels, a gold bracelet, and her wedding rings to complete the look.

Her gown was flawless—and we think it's the ultimate inspiration for any mothers of the bride and groom shopping currently shopping for their child's big day. From the ball gown's silhouette and wedding-appropriate hue to its overall elegance, this look is one to emulate if your son or daughter is hosting a black-tie or formal affair.

Though we couldn't find the exact dress online, we identified several options that are similar to Couric's ensemble—and are available to shop right now. In fact, there are even a few Marchesa gowns that fit the bill. Try the brand's Paradise ball gown, which comes in black and amethyst, depending on your style preferences. The brand also sells an off-the-shoulder chiffon rendition for moms who'd like a sleeker look. Need something a little more casual? Opt for this embroidered strapless tea-length gown for semi-formal and cocktail events. 

Before you head online and begin shopping, however, there's an additional lesson that moms can glean from Couric's look: Don't procrastinate when sourcing your big-day fashions. While the journalist pulled off the strapless gown without a hitch, she did have to call in a few favors and ask Georgina Chapman, creative director of Marchesa, to help her last minute. “I called her on Saturday and said, ‘I have nothing to wear on Tuesday, can you help me?'” Couric shared with WWD. “They sent me some pictures, I went to their showroom yesterday, I picked this out, they fitted it, I got it at one-o-clock this afternoon—and voila. I’m a master procrastinator, clearly. Isn’t it pretty?”

Couric, a longtime fan and supporter of the ballet, also gushed about the importance of the arts and their positive impact on society. “I think life would be colorless without the arts,” she told the outlet. “Any time I have a chance to embrace the arts, support it and uplift them, and focus attention on them, it’s a thrill.” According to Vogue, her remarks for the evening also stressed how individuals should lean on the arts when navigating these difficult times.

“You don't need to be a journalist to understand that we are all living through some very dark times at home, and especially now abroad," she shared with guests during her speech. "It is against this backdrop that, now more than ever, we need to appreciate the importance of the arts and their capacity to lift us up, transport us to a different time and space, and, yes, even unite us. Tonight, we'll experience the beauty, the artistry, and the commitment to excellence that is ABT.”