Blair Donovan was a digital producer and SEO writer at Brides from 2017 to 2019. She is currently the shopping editor of style at Apartment Therapy Media.
Brides's Editorial Guidelines
Updated on 10/23/23 09:10AM
Once upon a time, mothers of the bride were expected to wear matronly dresses in Easter-egg pastels or washed-out shades of beige. Thankfully, that's in the past, and moms are now able to freely express their sartorial sensibilities on their child's big day. But with more freedom comes a little more confusion, and determining what the mother of the bride should wear can oftentimes get a bit overwhelming.
Not to worry, though, as we asked a fashion expert to provide a few pointers for making this process as seamless as possible. Whether you're a bride who's hoping to help your mom find the perfect look or the matriarch of the family, we've got the who, what, when, where, and how of mother-of-the-bride attire. Read on below for all the expert tips, and don't forget to take notes!
Meet the Expert
Shea Jensen is a fashion expert with over 30 years of experience in the men's and women's apparel industry.
43 Emotional Mother-of-the-Bride Photos
Tips for Selecting a Mother-of-the-Bride Look
If you take away only one tip, let it be this one: Follow the bride's cues about style, color, and degree of formality. It's the couple's job to set the tone for the event—whether that means a casual country wedding complete with cowboy boots or a formal black-tie affair—so if you're a mom who's currently searching for an ensemble, ask your daughter for some guidelines and follow suit. After that, the rest lies in the details, as highlighted below.
Complement the Wedding Party
Traditionally, the mother of the bride's gown should complement (but not match) the color of the wedding party's attire. That's why fashion expert Shea Jensen shares that mothers of the bride should wait until their daughters have chosen their bridesmaids' dresses before heading to the mall. For instance, if the bridal party is wearing black co*cktail dresses, as the mom, you might want to choose something in silver or grey. Or, if the bridesmaids are wearing cobalt blue, a navy dress would pair perfectly.
Take Cues from the Venue
While almost anything goes for mother-of-the-bride attire—so long as the bride approves—it is important to follow certain cues dictated by the venue. For example, it's probably best to wear a strapless dress to a beach ceremony rather than a church wedding. Simply put, take the weather and cultural or religious customs into account when finding a mother-of-the-bride outfit, and always look for something that is elegant, understated, and appropriate.
Plan Ahead and Communicate Your Choice
According to Jensen, moms should start searching for a dress no later than three months before the big day, as this will allow time for special orders and alterations. What's more, since it's customary for the mother of the bride to buy her dress first, and then share her choice with the mother of the groom, planning ahead will ensure that everyone has time to coordinate their looks.
The mothers' dresses don't have to match (unless that's what the bride wants), but they should complement each other.
Don't Forget the Glam
While there aren't any special rules for mother-of-the-bride glam, moms should try and stick with a look that is elegant, understated, and appropriate. As for where to get ready, if the bride prefers to get glammed up with just the bridesmaids, don't get offended. As the mother of the bride, you can invite the mother of the groom or other family members to get glammed up before the ceremony, or relish the rare moment of quiet and plan to slip off on your own. Just make sure that you do plan to get your hair and makeup done—whether by a professional or trusted friend. Too often, mothers overlook themselves in favor of their children. Remember, it's your special day, too!
The 13 Best Places to Buy Stylish Mother-of-the-Bride Dresses
For the mother of the bride, go for the most special co*cktail dress or gown you can find. Just like white tie, you would expect to see the dress code black tie for an evening wedding.
Typically the Mother of the Bride's dress should complement the bridal party's color palette. Not necessarily match with the bridesmaids, but choose a color in the color family. The most popular color for the mother of the bride to wear is navy or a royal blue, followed by blush or a shade of nude.
These days, virtually anything goes—formal gown, short or long dress, skirt-and-jacket ensemble—so long as it matches the style of the wedding. Brides can be very helpful by encouraging "the moms" to work together in choosing their outfits.
Generally, choose an outfit that compliments the bridesmaid's dresses as well as the colours of the wedding. However, try not to go for something too similar. To stand out a bit from the bridesmaids, so your dress should complement rather than match the bridesmaid's dresses.
Answer: Typically the mother of the bride's outfit is whatever fits her style. In terms of color, traditionally, attendants and the MOB would avoid white (upstaging the bride), black (it reminds people of mourning) and red (because it's flashy).
The length of the dress is entirely up to you. Some mothers of the bride and groom choose to wear dresses of similar length to create a more harmonious look.
Navy is the most popular mother of the bride dress color. Not only is navy timeless, but this color dress will work in a variety of wedding venues and locations. We have many navy gowns from which to choose.
In short, no, the mother of the bride dress doesn't have to match the bridesmaids. However, this is a very subjective topic so it is completely up to you and your mum how you want her dress to be and whether it will resemble the bridesmaid dresses in any way.
Because the mother of the groom isn't part of the bridal party, she should avoid choosing a dress in the same color as the bridesmaids' attire, the mother of the bride's dress, or the wedding gown.
While it is traditional (although not obligatory) for the mother and father of the bride to receive a thank you gift from the newlyweds on the big day, a little memento from the bride's parents to their daughter is also becoming more popular.
Yes, it's traditional for the parents of the bride to give her a gift on her wedding day, such as jewelry, money, or something sentimental. This is a way for parents to show their love and wish her well as she starts her new life.
If the mother of the bride is taking part in the wedding processional, she is traditionally escorted by a close male relative like a son or brother or may enter alone. If the parents are divorced, she may be escorted by her partner. In some cases, a groomsman or best man will escort her down the aisle.
It's the mother of the bride's responsibility to greet all the guests she knows, and introduce herself to those she doesn't. The MOB should be part of the receiving line (if the couple is having one), and if not, she should go table to table to say hello to guests and thank them for attending.
Many brides give their mom a personal, sentimental gift at some point before or after the ceremony as a token of their appreciation. All in all, it's a nice way to thank her for everything she's done for your special day—financially, emotionally or otherwise.
Not only does the bride's family pay for the wedding day outfit and accessories (veil, shoes, jewelry and more), but they're also responsible for the bride's wardrobe for all of the pre-wedding events (the shower, bach party, rehearsal dinner and honeymoon).
To augment the distinction, you can choose different accessories. It's best to stay away from white or any shade matching the dress of the bride unless you have her explicit consent. The good news is that MOB and MOG dresses are not relegated to the realm of boring colors any more.
Unless the bride has made specific demands of her guests/bridal party, you are free to wear your hair in any style that makes you feel beautiful. The only thing you need to avoid is any outfit/hairstyle/makeup that could possibly outshine the bride. Keep it tasteful and simple, and you'll be just fine.
While mother-of-the-bride dresses are similar to mother-of-the-groom dresses, the moms don't need to match. Both are encouraged to wear outfits that represent their personal style. If the couple does prefer to have the moms wear complementary outfits, try to find colors or silhouettes that look great together.
To ensure that your moms don't show up in identical or clashing dresses, it's a smart idea for your mothers to coordinate their looks. Sure, it's not essential that they talk dresses before the big day, but it can make a big difference in how your wedding photos look if they do.
Introduction: My name is Jonah Leffler, I am a determined, faithful, outstanding, inexpensive, cheerful, determined, smiling person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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