Mother of the Bride specialists style and expert help | Jane Young (2024)

FAQs

What do young mothers of the bride wear? ›

(Psst: The same goes for grandmother-of-the-bride dresses, too.) Moms are encouraged to wear an outfit that they love (with the bride's approval, of course). Sleek evening gowns, trendy midi dresses, dressy jumpsuits and chic MOB pantsuits are all excellent options.

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.

Generally, we recommend giving yourself 6-8 months to shop for the right dress.

Don't be brow beaten into a colour theme or a hat that doesn't suit you. While politely acknowledging the theme of the wedding, wear what makes you happy and you feel comfortable in. If you dresses really aren't your vibe then consider a beautifully tailored trouser suit or jumpsuit instead.

So, a basic rule of wedding etiquette is that the mother of the bride should not outshine her daughter. So, don't choose gowns or dresses that would overpower the bridal gown. Also, try to avoid loud patterns that will overwhelm in photos and make you stand out from the rest of the wedding party.

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).

A mother of the bride or groom can never go wrong with a floral dress, and, this year, the bolder the florals the better. “For 2024, I anticipate a trend towards bold and large floral prints for mothers,” says bridal stylist Erika Plackowski.

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 and mother of the groom wear different colors? Generally yes, according to Valiente. "Open communication is key to nailing the color selection," she says.

Traditionally, the bride's family assumed most of the financial costs associated with a wedding, including the wedding planner, invitations, dress, ceremony, reception, flowers, photography, and music.

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.

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.

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.

What we recommend you wearing for a daytime wedding, is a swing or tea dress. As we mentioned earlier, this style of dress is one sure to stand the test of time, while ensuring you look quite the opposite of matronly.

Yes and no. This is a personal choice and depends on your circ*mstances. If a trial will help you feel more relaxed on the big day, though, go for it! “Mothers that have done trials with me are unquestionably more confident and at ease on the day of the wedding,” says Evans.

Most commonly, she will wear a mid-length dress and usually a full-length or ¾ length sleeve design, although capped sleeves are also popular. In more recent years, mothers of the bride may prefer to be a little more modern in a trouser suit or a jumpsuit, which can also offer more coverage.

While the mother of the bride, mother of the groom, and special guests always have the option to match the bridal party or wear a similar shade, we created this handy guide to make further color-coordination effortless. Try greys and neutrals such as charcoal, champagne, blush, or a metallic.

It's fine if she wants to wear something that doesn't match the bridesmaids' outfits or the wedding color palette. Most brides don't have a preference when it comes to what their mothers wear, so they're free to make their own decision.