The Do’s and Don’ts of Mother of the Bride Dress Shopping

One of the most potentially daunting tasks when preparing for a wedding is choosing what to wear. This especially applies if you’re part of the official entourage or wedding party, and in this case, if you are the mother of the bride. While the couple have their own vision in mind for their wedding, such as color palettes or themes, it’s important that the mother of the bride still looks and feels her best when she walks her daughter down the aisle at the ceremony. If you’re unsure of what to do, here are a few do’s and don’ts when shopping for a mother of the bride dress. 

Image Source: Mac Duggal Dress via Nordstrom  (no follow link)

First and possibly the most important thing, is to know what the official dress code is for the wedding. This gives you a general idea of what you can and can’t wear to the big day. If it’s black tie, then you’ll know to choose a floor-length gown. If it’s a cocktail or semi-formal affair, then a tea-length look or midi could do. If the couple are choosing to keep the event casual, then a maxi dress might do. 

When it comes to dress colors for mothers of the brides, traditionally it shouldn’t match the color of the wedding party’s attire. Pick dress colors that would complement the entourage instead. So, ideally, start shopping once you know the colors of what the wedding party will be wearing. 

Black is okay to wear at a wedding, but might seem out of place especially if it’s a spring or summer event. Also, unless approved by your child, steer clear of wearing shades like white, ivory, or champagne. You don’t want to take the attention away from the bride after all. 

There are some exceptions to this rule, especially if the bridesmaids are going to be wearing light colors or even white — again, unless explicitly requested by the bride. But even with this, make sure to choose a dress color that works for your skin tone while also aligning with the color palette of the event. 

Image Source:Tadashi Shoji Dress via Nordstrom (no follow link)

Naturally, as mothers of the bride could still technically be considered part of the wedding party, you’ll have to run your dress by your child to know their thoughts. It’s important to be able to have a conversation especially if both of you have very different style choices. This doesn’t mean that you should force yourself to wear something you aren’t comfortable in, but decide on a look with their feedback in mind. 

Wearing some prints or patterns in a wedding is generally okay, but as mothers of the bride, steer clear of designs that could be too distracting. Especially when it’s time to take wedding photos. Patterns in general are quite a risky choice especially as people will be looking at these photos for years to come. You also wouldn’t want to take too much attention away from your child after all. 

The key to putting a whole mother of the bride look together? As you’re shopping for your dress, also plan on what kind of hair and makeup look you’ll want to wear with it. There aren’t any hard rules for mothers of the brides when it comes to this, but it’s always best to stick to a look that’s elegant, timeless, and appropriate. 

Unless your child requests that you get glammed up with them, make sure to plan on getting your hair and makeup done. You can even plan on getting your hair and makeup done with other relatives or the mother of the groom.

In the same vein as knowing the dress code and coordinating with the bride and wedding party, don’t wait until the last minute to secure your dress. A good time to purchase the dress – color palette and event in mind – is up to six months before the wedding. This is for you to be able to plan ahead with the shoes and the jewelry that could go with it. If you plan on hitting the gym or losing weight ahead of the big day, you can always have it altered down to size too. 

Remember, there’s so many things to do as the big day approaches, and you might be needed to lend a hand in finalizing all the details. The last thing your child needs to worry about is what you’ll be wearing to their wedding day, so go ahead and plan your dress as soon as possible.