Mother of Bride

Struggling to find Mother of the Bride outfit ideas for your big day? You’ve come to right place! We’ve scoured our best-dressed guests from real weddings to find the best-dressed mothers-of-the-bride – and groom – to bring you, and her, some much-needed inspiration!

You might be planning a spring or summer wedding but the evening will bring a chill, so remember to wear something with extra coverage. Pashminas work well but we prefer stylish jackets that are nipped in at the waist. Three quarter length sleeves make the whole look less bulky, too.

“Think of the venue while selecting your outfit, especially if some of the celebrations are taking place outdoors. If you are taking your jacket off in the evening, you might want to consider having a lace bolero or a shrug, which will give you two looks in one, while still giving you arm coverage,” Ian Stuart suggests.

Should you wear a hat or fascinator as Mother of the Bride or groom?

We say, absolutely! Not only does it help set you apart from the other guests, it’s also one of the only formal occasions in our lives that requires a hat, so why not go all out? Some of our real mums are sporting fabulous hats and fascinators below – which is your favourite?

Don’t discount outfits on the hanger, either. “While browsing in your local boutique, don’t dismiss shapes and silhouettes that you ‘think’ may not suit you,” continues Ian. “Quite often shapes can flatter you in places that you didn’t think were possible.”

Think outside the box when it comes to materials. “Most people go for simple silk when looking for a Mother of the Bride outfit but often a chic wool crepe, exquisite lace or silk jacquard can be a glamorous alternative,” suggests designer Susie Stone.

Consider your fabrics carefully and choose one that will see you through from day to night.

And the most important thing? “Don’t get swept up too much by what a Mother of the Bride should look like and remember your own style,” adds Susie. “We encourage our clients to try and look like themselves but on a really fabulous day! Being comfortable on the wedding day is crucial too, so as long as you feel happy you will look fabulous!”

You’re a very lucky mom if your daughter asks you to give a Mother of the Bride speech. This opportunity is a once-in-a-lifetime one, so be sure you make it as perfect as possible. Follow these steps to make the best Mother of the Bride speech ever. We have hints and tips to lead you every step of the way so you don’t miss anything vital. Your daughter will have tears in her eyes by the time you’re through, and will know that her decision to include you in the toasts was a good one. Ultimately, this speech is meant to encapsulate the love you have for your daughter, so as long as you make your Mother of the Bride speech full of love and well-wishes, you’ve done your job.

1. Thank your daughter for letting you speak. Not everyone loves sitting through a host of speeches, so a lot of brides and grooms try to keep it to the maid of honor and the best man. Clearly, your daughter wants you to be one of the special people to toast at your wedding, which says something about your relationship with each other.

2. Thank the audience for coming. Even if you took care of the financials of the wedding, or even the planning, and you feel they should be thanking you, don’t be worried. You will be thanked. However, the reception wouldn’t happen without the couple’s closest friends and family showing up, so be sure to thank them in your Mother of the Bride speech for spending this special day with the happy couple and make them feel welcome.

3. Tell your daughter you love her. You do this every day, seven days a week already, but today is the day she wants to hear it the most. After all, this Mother of the Bride speech is about how much you love your girl, in the end. She is your ray of sunshine, and the audience couldn’t possibly fully understand your love for her, but she will understand, and she will appreciate you reaffirming this.

4. Don’t embarrass the bride. You probably thought the days of “Mom, you’re embarrassing me!” were over when she graduated high school, but this rule applies during the Mother of the Bride speech. Anything you say of your daughter, especially when she was younger, is bound to be slightly blush-worthy, so just ask the bride if you can mention a certain story if you’re not sure. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.

5. Wish your daughter well. There are a variety of ways to do this in the Mother of the Bride speech. If you’re religious, you can do this in the form of a short prayer, or if you’re literary, you can write her a poem. Find whichever way captures your relationship best to send your daughter off to her new, happy life with with the same warmth and tenderness with which you helped her lead her old one.

6. Welcome the groom to the family. Like it or not, this man is officially a part of your family. And, let’s be honest, if your darling daughter chose him, you probably do like him. In your Mother of the Bride speech, give him a warm welcome – and remind him how lucky he is to have a bride like your daughter. Don’t ever let him forget.

7. Give a toast. Toast the audience, toast the celebration, but most importantly, toast the happy couple. A marriage blossomed today, and that deserves a blessing. There is no one better to give it than the woman who helped make the bride the best she could be and stood with her for her entire life.

Mother of the Bride Duties

As your daughter’s big day gets closer, you’ll want to make sure you know the Mother of the Bride duties. The maid of honor handles a lot of the planning to help out the bride, but moms can have their fair share of tasks as well.

1. Be supportive and encouraging when helping your daughter find a Wedding Dress. While some brides are overjoyed by shopping for hours on end for the perfect dress, you know your daughter best, and it can turn into a stressful search.

2. Research family traditions that have been incorporated into relatives’ wedding ceremonies. You can also find old family heirlooms that can be passed down to your daughter on her most special day.

3. Be a backup contact for caterers, florists, and other services. If the bride has a rehearsal or appointment and cannot take a call or another appointment, be there for her when you can. Just make sure you’ve communicated with her on what she wants. You don’t want to make a decision about, say, flower colors that she hasn’t approved.

‘IS IT OK FOR THE MOTHER-OF-THE-BRIDE OR TO WEAR A CHAMPAGNE COLOR GOWN?’

1.Strapless Rene Ruiz Jacquard Gown 2. Sequin Lace Sheath Dress 3. Short Sleeve Champagne Gold Sequin Mesh Gown 4.  Silk Gazar Gown 5. Off the Shoulder Rene Ruiz Gold Gown 6.  Jacky Embroidered Illusion Gown 7. Beaded Mesh Gown   8.  Sequin Lace Blouson Dress

‘IS IT OK FOR THE MOTHER-OF-THE-BRIDE OR TO WEAR A CHAMPAGNE COLOR GOWN?’

Champagne Mother of the Bride dress ideas and shopping sources in this post use affiliate links where noted in italics.

This weekend I had a chance to attend my 3rd Your Wedding Experience and host Style for the Aisle. One of the questions that was posed to me by a group there, was, ‘Is it ok for the Mother-of-the-Bride or to wear a champagne color gown?’

While champagne, gold, and neutral gowns have long been an accepted and often encouraged color for Mother-of-the-Bride and Mother of the Groom dresses, and I agree that they are almost always a suitable choice.

But sometimes there are exceptions.  In this case, the bride’s gown was going to be a neutral color – which is a Wedding Dress color trend that is happening more and more often! We frequently bridal gowns offered in pale blush, shades of beige, deep ivory, and sometimes gold, so in these cases, having mothers of the bride/grooms wearing the same colors can be tricky! If a champagne gown might too closely mimic the bride’s gown own ivory or neutral gown, or the bride feels uncomfortable with this color for anyone else in the wedding might not be the best choice. However, that’s really a very special case.  In all other cases, I say go for it!

In most other scenarios when the bride or brides are wearing ivory, white or another near-champagne color, a champagne, taupe, or gold gown for the mothers in the wedding is the perfect choice. Champagne comes in a range from light beige to a deeper taupe or gold, so it’s easy to select one that would never be confused for a bridal gown. A champagne colored dress for mothers is a wonderful choice because this shade goes with a range of colors, works in nearly any season, and is always an elegant selection! To help you in your dress search, I’ve compiled more than 20 dresses I think would suit Mothers of Brides/Grooms, in both in short cocktail lengths and longer formal styles.

1 Sequined Godet Gown 2. Flutter Sleeve Beaded Gown in Light Gold 3. Sequin Lace Sheath Dress 4. Jacky Embroidered Illusion Gown 5. Textured Lace Mermaid Gown 6. Sequin Lace Blouson Dress 7. Beaded Mesh Gown 8 Silk Gazar Gown with Sequin Overlay by Teri Jon

PICKING THE BEST CHAMPAGNE COLORED DRESSES AND GOWNS FOR THE Mother of the Bride OR GROOM

Wondering how to pick the right champagne gown? In general, any styles and color choices in the mothers dresses or gowns should be after discussion about the color scheme, and chosen in consultation with the couple, as well with communication between the mothers on both sides of the aisle about what they intend to wear. ( Usually, the Mother of the Bride chooses a color and style first.) Other than that, it’s just a matter of silhouette and style, and level of formality. I’ve found a range that I think you’ll love!

FORMAL, FULL-LENGTH CHAMPAGNE GOWNS FOR Mother of the Bride/GROOM

Eliza J Embellished Floral Ballgown from Nordstrom

Lace Gown with Taffeta Overlay by Teri Jon

Short Sleeve Champagne Gold Sequin Mesh Gown by Adrianna Papell from Nordstrom

The Odette Dress from BHLDN

Tadashi Shoji Textured Lace Mermaid Gown from Nordstrom

Ivonne by Mon Cheri from Couture Candy

Beaded Mesh Gown in Champagne by Adrianna Papell

Another view of the movement in the skirt of this gown:

Beaded Mesh Gown in Champagne by Adrianna Papell

Silk Gazar Gown with Sequin Overlay by Teri Jon

Rene Ruiz Strapless Jacquard Gown from Saks Fifth Avenue

Lizbeth Dress from BHLDN

Belted Lace and Tulle Gown in Plus Size from Nordstrom

Donna Morgan Cap Sleeve Taupe Lace Dress ‘Alice’ Gown in Fawn

Rene Ruiz Off the Shoulder Gown from Saks Fifth Avenue

Champagne Gown by Cameron Blake from Couture Candy 

Badgley Mischka Long Sleeve Gown From Saks Fifth Avenue

Long sleeve gold gown by Carmen Marc Valvo

SHORT COCKTAIL LENGTH CHAMPAGNE DRESSES FOR THE Mother of the Bride/GROOM

The Joan Dress from BHLDN

Tadashi Shoji has so many pretty styles like this Sequin Lace Sheath Dress from Nordstrom.

Tadashi Shoji Sequin Lace Blouson Dress from Nordstrom

Adrianna Papell 3/4 Sleeve Jacket Lace Dress

Sequin Illusion Lace Dress by Tadashi Shoji at Nordstrom

Tahari Ruched Satin Sheath Dress from Nordstrom

Sangria Shirred Illusion Gown in Champagne from Dillards.

Satin Portrait Collar Sheath Dress by Kay Unger from Saks Fifth Avenue

Adrianna Papell Midi Tea Length Satin Dress from Dillards