Wedding Dress Etiquette: What the Mother of the Bride or Groom Should Wear

Jul 22, 2025

While the wedding day is traditionally centered around the bride and her gown, it’s important to remember that other key figures also deserve attention and recognition, particularly the mother of the bride and the mother of the groom. These women play pivotal roles in the celebration, often serving as pillars of support, hosts, and symbols of family unity.

Their presence and poise contribute significantly to the overall ambiance of the event, and their wardrobe choices should reflect both their status and the formality of the occasion.

Choosing the right outfit for these special women is not merely about fashion—it’s about honoring their role in the wedding and ensuring they feel confident, elegant, and celebrated. Women’s celebration dresses should combine sophistication, comfort, and a touch of personal style, highlighting their importance while complementing the overall wedding aesthetic.

After all, weddings are not just about the bride and groom; they are a gathering of families and loved ones, and every detail, including attire, plays a part in making the day truly memorable.

What Color Should the Mother of the Bride Wear?

Mother of the bride’s dress should match the wedding colors but should not match the dresses worn by the bridesmaids. For example, if the bridesmaids wear lavender, the mother of the bride may wear lilac, silver, or soft mauve. The goal is to coordinate, not compete or blend in.

You should not choose a color that is very close to white, ivory or champagne, unless the bride approves. Jewel tones, pastels, and neutrals are commonly popular and appropriate.

For style, the bride’s mother should wear a dress that is sophisticated, age-appropriate, and tasteful. Though you want to look pretty but don’t wear anything too bright, flashy, revealing, or eye-catching. After all, the spotlight should remain on the bride.

What Color Must the Mother of the Groom Wear?

The groom's mother should coordinate with the wedding color scheme and the bride's mum, but she shouldn't directly match either Mother. A complementary color works best – so if the bridesmaids are in blush pink, a silver, navy or dusty blue gown would go well.

Like the bride’s mother, the mother of the groom should choose a gown that matches the formality of the wedding. Your outfit must meet the tone and style whether it’s daytime garden wedding or black-tie affair.

Communication is key here. It is proper etiquette for the groom’s mother to hold off on her outfit choice until the bride’s mother has selected a dress, then choose something complementary but not identical to the other mother’s look.

Terani Couture Sleek Mother Of The Bride Dress 2111M5289 - The Dress Outlet Emerald

Where to Purchase Mother-of-the-Bride or Groom Dresses?

Wondering where to shop? The good thing is that great options are available, whether you are going for a designer gown or cheaper alternatives.

Popular Places to Shop:

Bridal shops as well as department stores such as Nordstrom, Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s have elegant mother-of-the-bride dresses in a range of sizes and styles.
You could try shopping at online retailers like The Dress Outlet, Amazon, or JJ’s House, which have lots of options for many budgets.
Rent the runway is a great place to get designer looks without the full price tag.
A consignment shop or thrift store may have some formalwear that’s lightly used and inexpensive.

It’s best to order your dress as far in advance as possible, wherever you are getting it from. Try to order it at least 8 to 12 weeks before the wedding date to have enough time for alterations.

Style Tips and Etiquette for Mothers

Here are a few key etiquette tips to keep in mind:

Ensure your dress goes in harmony with the wedding party’s outfits, colors, and venue.
Before doing your makeup, check with the bride to find out if she has any specifications.
What you wear matters because you’ll take a lot of pictures and dance all night and mingle. Choose something that looks good but also feels good.
A garden wedding would typically require a lighter fabric and soft colors while weddings at ballrooms would usually call for structured gowns with embellishments.

The attire for mother of the bride/groom should reflect the importance of the occasion. Even though classical etiquette is perfectly valid, modern weddings are less rigid and allow for more style.

Do not compete with the wedding party, respect the general theme, and allow yourself enough time to find. By coordinating your outfit appropriately, not only will you look the part of a proud parent on graduation day, but you’ll also feel it.

Ready to start shopping? Check out our The Dress Outlet collection of Mother of the Bride Dresses and Mother of the Groom Gowns for the two pieces that suit your look, the wedding theme, and your lovely role in the festivities.

Formal Dresses Long Formal Lace Fitted Evening Dress Emerald

FAQs

Q1.Can the mother of the bride wear black?

A: Yes, black is acceptable if it aligns with the wedding’s tone and the bride approves.

Q2.Should both mothers coordinate their dresses?

A: Yes, coordination is encouraged, but matching should be avoided.

Q3.Are pant suits appropriate for mothers?

A: Yes, tailored formal pant suits are suitable for modern weddings.

Q4.When should mothers buy their dresses?

A: Ideally, 8–12 weeks before the wedding to allow for alterations.

Final thoughts

Do not compete with the wedding party, respect the general theme, and allow yourself enough time to find. By coordinating your outfit appropriately, not only will you look the part of a proud parent on graduation day, but you’ll also feel it.

Ready to start shopping? Check out our The Dress Outlet collection of mother of the bride dresses, mother of the groom dresses, formal dresses, and evening gowns to find pieces that suit your look, the wedding theme, and your beautiful role in the celebration.

Dress coordination at a glance

Wedding role	Recommended colors	Dress style
Mother of the bride	Jewel tones, pastels, neutrals	Elegant gowns
Mother of the groom	Complementary shades	Formal dresses
Evening weddings	Navy, emerald, silver	Long formal dresses
Daytime weddings	Soft hues, light fabrics	Special occasion dresses

More from Occasions

Ball Gowns

Are Ball Gowns Still Popular for Prom 2026

What Makes Ball Gowns Top Sellers in 2026 Advantage Result Large dramatic skirts Eye-catching displays and photos Great on camera Highly shareable for TikTok and Instagram ...