Should the mother of the bride align her outfit with the bridal party?

The wedding celebrates the multiple facets of two people’s lives because it acknowledges the happiness and love between them. It also marks an essential milestone because the couple takes the first steps towards building their future family. But it’s also challenging to plan an event because the bride and groom (but mostly the bride because she is usually the one handling most of the details) have to ensure they respect and honor their families while putting together a wedding that matches their preferences and wishes. Often, the bride feels like she can show her appreciation for her mother by having her help pick a dress for the special occasion. 

However, the task is far from easy because there are several decisions to make in the process and factors to consider. The mother of the bride’s attire can often be confusing because each wedding has unique particularities, and the couple cannot follow the same path another one did. 

This article is meant to help overwhelmed brides because it helps them figure out if they should align their mother’s outfit with the bridal party. 

A young cheerful bride, groom and other guests dancing, singing and playing violin on a wedding reception.

What attire should the mother of the bride wear?

Most brides know how the bridal party will look. From the bridesmaids’ dresses to the flowers and decorations, they have it all planned. But few of them think about what they would like their mothers to wear. In the past, they used to wear conservative and matronly outfits, but the trends have evolved, and they have multiple options to pick from. If you are a bride-to-be, you might want to encourage your mother to wear something she finds comfortable, but you most likely want to check the outfit before the wedding to make sure it will coordinate with the bridal party in photos. 

Some general factors impact all choices, so everyone takes into account the weather and the location. From there, it’s mostly up to the mother to feel comfortable in the outfit because it’s usually something she will wear the entire day.

What color should the mother of the bride wear?

It’s essential to highlight that the mother of the bride should wear attire that makes her feel and look her absolute best. Depending on the region, there might be some traditions regarding the dress of the mother of the bride, but in case there are not, the dresses of the bridesmaids and the overall wedding color palette could impact her attire. 

Here are some good options

  • Purple is a classic color for the mother of the bride because it’s usually associated with royalty, luxury, and richness. Adult women love this shade for formal events, so if it goes with your color palette, you could suggest that your mom wear it as well. Suppose you don’t want her to wear the same hue as your bridesmaids; you can pick a shade darker or lighter, depending on her preference. From lavender to eggplant and plum, they are all perfect for this occasion. You can also go a step further and choose a complementary shade, like gold or navy. 
  • Black is another popular option for mother of the bride dresses when the bridal party relies on a neutral color theme. However, it’s important to discuss with your mother before ordering a black gown because she might feel it’s too bold or dark for such an occasion. Also, she has the option to wear something lighter during the ceremony and change into a black dress for the reception. 
  • Adult women also love blue and green because they are universally flattering for all skin tones and body shapes. These hues are perfect for your mother’s gown especially if they are part of the bridal party. Some great shades to pick from are putty, slate green, emerald, peacock wine, seafoam, navy, and hunter. 
  • Pastels are the sweetest option for the mother to wear because they are playful and feminine. In case you prefer your bridesmaids to wear pastels, you can go with something a little bit darker for your mother. She can wear an earthier or darker hue in the same color family. She will look lovely in the photos next to you and your bridesmaids. Her gown can come in wine, sangria, burgundy, mauve, or merlot as they are all rich colors that also drive attention to your white dress when you sit next to each other. 

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

If they don’t want to, they don’t have to match. However if they want to coordinate with the bridal party and love the same shade since it’s more than fine for both of them to wear something similar. It’s best for them to discuss outfit ideas because they might not necessarily want to wear the same dress model. They can wear complementary attires, which match the bridesmaids’ dresses. 

As a bride, you could meet with both of them at the same time and discuss options for styles, colors, and degrees of formality. Since it’s not needed, you shouldn’t insist they wear the same attire. 

Encourage the mother of the bride to explore different silhouettes and cuts

Your mother might not be accustomed to wearing such formal attire, so she might not know what cut or style she prefers in terms of gowns. In case she doesn’t feel comfortable wearing a full-length gown, you shouldn’t insist because the time when this was the only type of gown mothers of the bride or groom wore passed. It’s more critical that she wear something that complements her figure and height because it’s as important for her to feel beautiful as it is for you. Your wedding is one of the most important moments in her life, so understandably, she will want to wear something flattering. 

The venue and weather will also affect her choice, so make sure you consider them when you purchase the dress, especially if you buy months in advance. It’s essential to plan the outfits of the bridal entourage in advance, but it’s also crucial to check the weather and conditions of the location.

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