Bridal Guide: What Color Does the Mother of the Bride Wear? (2024)

With so many gorgeous mother of the bride dress choices available, it’s easy to wonder, what color does the mother of the bride wear? Add embellishments, like sequins or beadwork, and the options feel infinite. Our Tadashi Shoji bridal stylists are asked many questions, from what styles to what color should the mother of the bride wear. In this blog post, we touch upon our most commonly asked questions, discuss mother of the bride dress etiquette, and share this season’s most popular color for mother of the bride dresses.

In addition to being asked what color does the mother of the bride wear, many mothers ask about a specific color. Such as, Can the mother of the bride wear black? Or is a cream mother of bride dress okay to wear? It depends. Ideally, the bride and mother of the bride should select a dress they both capital L-Love.

One thing to note about mother of the bride styling is that there are no resolute rules. Weddings have evolved over the years, allowing for so many personalized options and tastes. As a result, traditions are no longer steadfast. If a bride wants to wear pants, she can. If she wants to wear black, she does. The same trends apply to mother of the bride dresses. Traditionally, mother of the bride styles were conservative or considered dowdy. But the new rules of wedding dress codes allow for the mother of the bride to be sexy, chic, and fashionable. Gone are the frumpy and drab looks. Instead, wear an elegant illusion gown or a figure-skimming floor-length dress, and make sure you feel beautiful.

However, and this is a big however, our number one recommendation when it comes to bridal etiquette is that the mother of the bride should always consult with her daughter. Both the bride and her mother should absolutely love the dress. Also, mothers, take note. We want you to look stunning. So, if you want to compete with the mother of the groom, by all means, be our guest. But never compete with your daughter. Your dress should ultimately complement her style, not overshadow it.

So, to answer the question, is a cream, ivory, or white dress an acceptable mother of the bride dress color? Our recommendation is no because a mother of the bride dress should not take the attention away from the bride. Always defer to the couple getting married regarding acceptable colors and styles to wear.

Lastly, we wholeheartedly recommend consulting with your daughter before shopping. This way, you have discussed what to look for and what not to look for, including color, silhouette, and formality. Also, it’s always best to start shopping early to allow extra time to alter or hem your dress if necessary.

When discussing what color does the mother of the bride wear, it’s also helpful to call attention to style attributes specific to mother of the bride dressing. So, in addition to presenting Tadashi Shoji’s most popular colors for mother of the bride dresses, we’ve also included style suggestions. So, without further ado, what color dress should the mother of the bride wear? Keep reading for our top recommendations.

Bridal Guide: What Color Does the Mother of the Bride Wear? (2024)

FAQs

Bridal Guide: What Color Does the Mother of the Bride Wear? ›

Try greys and neutrals such as charcoal, champagne, blush, or a metallic. When the palette is light and airy, Mom can strike a sophisticated balance in deeper, earthier shades. With brightly colored bridesmaid dresses, a shimmering metallic dress is a brilliant choice.

What color is the bride's mother supposed to wear? ›

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.

Does mother of the bride wear the same color as bridesmaids? ›

A: The Mother of the Bride is special. She needs to stand out a bit from the bridesmaids, so her dress should complement rather than match the bridesmaid's dresses. For example, the MOB could wear a dress in a similar color to the bridesmaids but in a deeper shade.

What should a mother wear to her daughter's wedding? ›

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.

What is the dress code for the mother of the bride? ›

Traditionally-speaking, the mother of the bride's outfit should complement, rather than match, the bridal party colours. Therefore, it may be best to wait until your daughter has chosen the bridesmaid dresses before you begin your search.

What the mother of the bride should not wear? ›

There are certain colours that the mother of the bride should not wear. Unless otherwise instructed, is to never wear white or any colour close to what the bride has chosen to wear. Other standard colours to avoid include ivory, white and champagne. Another colour to avoid is black.

Do mother of bride and groom wear the same color? ›

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.

What color should the mother of the bride not wear? ›

Unless you've received approval from the couple, it's best to steer clear from white, ivory or champagne hues as not to take attention away from the bride.

How to look good as a mother of the bride? ›

While dressing in too revealing a style isn't advisable for any guest, you can dress to emphasise your assets - a sleeveless dress to show toned arms, belts to highlight your waist or a shorter length for great legs. Keep styling simple and avoid too much embellishment, which can look fussy in photos.

What jewelry should the mother of the bride wear? ›

A cohesive jewelry set for the mother of the bride often includes a necklace, earrings, and sometimes a bracelet, tailored to the formality of the wedding and her personal style. Classic designs in metals that match her outfit will create a refined look.

Should the mother of the bride give her daughter a gift? ›

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.

Who walks down the aisle with the mother of the bride? ›

The mother of the bride is traditionally escorted by her son if she has one. Otherwise, any close male relative, the best man, or a groomsman walks with the mother of the bride during the procession.

Does the mother of the bride carry a purse down the aisle? ›

The mother of the bride can wear a handbag or opt out of it, the choice is her own! However, some brides might ask their mothers to bring a bigger handbag to help them store some of the bulkier items they might need throughout the day.

Should mother of the bride wear hair up or down? ›

Updos are a mother-of-the-bride hairstyle favorite for a reason: they're timeless, they frame your face and they work with a wide variety of dress styles. Whether it's a beautiful braided bun, an elegant chignon or an updo with a few wispy tendrils, you really can't go wrong.

How much should the mother of the bride spend on a dress? ›

Budgets are very personal and there is no right answer to how much to spend on dresses for the moms. Mother of the bride and groom dresses have a wide range of prices. On-line stores can range from $100 to $600 and department stores (e.g. Dillards, Neiman Marcus) can charge from $200 to $2,000.

Can mother of bride and mother of groom wear the same color dress? ›

Color: Who Coordinates with Whom? Traditionally, the mother of the bride has been the first to choose her dress. The color of the mother of the groom's dress should complement, but not match it.

What color should the family of the bride wear? ›

A good option here would be to ask your family to dress in neutral colors. Tans, whites, blacks, greys. There are so many awesome options in this neutral colors! And they will all look nice and coordinated!

Should the mother of the bride wear pink? ›

Can mothers of the bride wear pink dresses? Yes! Blush pink mother of the bride dresses are a beautiful option for moms who aren't in favor of dark and subdued colors for their daughter's wedding day.

Does the mother of the bride wear red? ›

Wearing colors like bright orange and red is considered excessively bold, flashy, and attention-getting so they're best avoided. However, if the wedding party is wearing bright hues, the MOB can wear a more saturated color.

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