Mother of the Bride & Groom Dress Etiquette: What to Wear and Where to Shop 💐👗
Though the wedding day mostly revolves around the bride and her dress, it shouldn’t always be the case.
However, the other two important ladies that duly deserve recognition and care in wardrobe choices are the mother of the bride and the mother of the groom. Women play an important role in a celebration. Therefore, Women Celebration Dresses must depict their importance and the grandeur of the event.
Are you a mother getting ready for the wedding day? Then here is a complete wedding dress etiquette a mother that reads about the color, shopping and styling tips to help you look your best!
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.
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 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. 💕.
