11 Short Mother of the Bride Dresses That Are Stylish, Sophisticated, and Show Just the Right Amount of Skin (2024)

FAQs

What color is the mother of the bride's dress supposed to be? ›

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.

Are pants okay? A: The Mother of the Bride needs to coordinate with the Mother of the Groom and decide whether they will be wearing long or short dresses, but both are acceptable. A matched pantsuit in a soft, silky, flowy fabric can work too.

A formal setting calls for a more upscale ensemble (like something floor-length), while a shorter, more casual wedding outfit is appropriate for laid-back celebrations. Take inspiration from the wedding gown and bridesmaid dresses, as these can help influence what dress length the mother of the bride should wear.

As a general rule, the mother of the bride should shy away from choosing the same colour dress as bridesmaids. However, it should still compliment the style of the bridesmaid's dresses. It can be a different style from theirs, but the hues should feel cohesive.

Navy is the most popular mother of the bride dress color. Not only is navy timeless, but this color dress will work in a variety of wedding venues and locations. We have many navy gowns from which to choose.

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).

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.

Don't be tempted to try out a new style

Instead, opting for subtler pieces you can incorporate into your everyday looks will be great. This could include picking simple, dainty pieces that include little gemstone details, as opposed to chunky, oversized jewellery.

Fashionable, tasteful and age-appropriate are in. 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.

Traditionally, a groomsman should walk the mother of the bride down the aisle.

Who usually walks the mother of the bride down? ›

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.

What should she gift her daughter? The mother of the bride has a wide range of options, depending on what she thinks her daughter will appreciate the most. It could be a customized hanger for her wedding dress or jewelry to wear to the ceremony, for example.

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.

Formality and Color Coordination

Unless the bride asks both Mothers to wear the same color, make sure you avoid wearing the same color on the occasion. The mother of the bride and the mother of the groom's outfits must complement each other, especially for photos.

Many brides and mothers get emotional and end up wearing the same colors on this big day. Remember that mother of the bride should not wear the same color or even shade of the bride's wedding dress. The bride's gown is usually in shades like ivory or champagne, so make sure that you don't choose any shade of white.

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.

In short, no, the mother of the bride dress doesn't have to match the bridesmaids. However, this is a very subjective topic so it is completely up to you and your mum how you want her dress to be and whether it will resemble the bridesmaid dresses in any way.

While mother-of-the-bride dresses are similar to mother-of-the-groom dresses, the moms don't need to match. Both are encouraged to wear outfits that represent their personal style. If the couple does prefer to have the moms wear complementary outfits, try to find colors or silhouettes that look great together.

And there's another color we think every mother of the bride or groom should consider wearing on her child's big day, and it's pink. Whether your child is tying the knot in the summer or winter, spring or fall, a pink dress is perfectly appropriate.