Author: Gracie Pritchard
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While the focus on a wedding day may be firmly on the bride’s dress, it’s no doubt that the day is just as special for the mother of the bride. The day a mother dreams of for their child and no doubt you know the number of roles you will take that day in order to support your daughter- but what to wear?
Mother of the bride dresses come in all different styles and prices. Knowing what to wear is a stress and a search you just don’t need for the big day, so we’ve put together a list of our favourite on-trend dresses for all types of weddings!
Whether a floral dress for a destination wedding or a midi dress with a matching jacket for a more traditional wedding, we’ve got you covered! Stay calm and fulfil your mother of the bride duties whilst looking stylish.
Classic Mother Of The Bride Dress
BELLANA Wilderness Midi Dress, Ted Baker, £89
Classic doesn’t have to mean old. New outfits can have a sense of class to them, such as this red dress from Ted Baker. This red colour is perfect to stand out while still complimenting the bride and groom style. This midi dress is fashionable and vibrant, shop this here for just £89 in the sale.
Lilac Chiffon Wrap Maxi Dress, Roman, £40
One classic style for a mother of the bride dress is a floaty floral- such as this gorgeous dress from Roman. A range of dresses could be worn to a wedding but there is something so timeless about this type of dress! Plus the cape back is fashionable. £40.80.
Mint Lace Top Overlay Pleated Midi Dress, Roman, £60
Another Roman dress, currently in the sale for just £60, the range of events you could wear this to is impressive. But for now, the search for your dress could end here. Classic, elegant and perfect for a summer wedding- all for an affordable price!
Tie Back Maxi Dress, Whistles, £159.20
This style is so timeless and classic. Although simple, it is perfect to dress up with accessories and will look dazzling with a nice pair of shoes! Use this dress as the perfect backdrop for embellishment- maybe even add a jacket for the evening. Perfect for any occasion too!
Rose Gold Midi Lace Bodice Dress, Chi Chi London, £75
The search for a perfect dress can be tiring- so why not stick to the classic style? This dress is bound to give you an hourglass figure and will make perfect outfits for future use. The colour is gorgeous and is bound to compliment the wedding!
Unique Mother Of The Bride Dress
Annie Wedding Trousers & Blazer, Whistles, £229
High Neck Cap Sleeve Jumpsuit, ASOS, £34
If you’re looking for the designer look without breaking the bank, try this jumpsuit from ASOS. At just £85, jump-suit will help to achieve the unusual and yet classic look. Elegant and sure to create a beautiful view in the photos.
Sleeveless Cowl Neck Midi Dress, ASOS, £38
Not many dresses are this unique. Classic, modest and a beautiful shape, you are sure to be the only person wearing this dress at the wedding. With a little help from other products and accessories, you will stand out against the view in the photographs. For just £38, this is a great option!
Tiered Ruffle Midi Dress With Tie Back, ASOS, £38
If you’re looking for something unusual, this is your sign to buy a tiered dress. The beautiful green colour will compliment the view of the surroundings whilst still standing out and looking usual. All for just £38!
Plunge Floral Embroidered Midi Tea Dress, ASOS, £110
The colours and embellishment on this dress are unmatched. The price soon becomes understandable when you see how close you’ll feel to a princess in it. For £110, you’ll look bloomin’ lovely!
Fashionable Mother Of The Bride Dress
Embroidered Short Sleeve Mini Dress, Chi Chi London, £120
Pretty in purple, this Chi Chi London is the perfect dress to wear to your daughter’s hat. Compliments a wide variety of skin tones and looks stunning in pictures – what’s more to love!
Bubble Collar Long Sleeved Bodycon Midi With Open Back In Blue, ASOS, £45
Definitely a more bold look, but the bubble sleeves are so on trend for 2021 and look super flattering. Plus that shade of blue is absolutely stunning – just wow!
Tiered Textured Maxi Dress With Ruffle Detail and Lace Trim, ASOS, £55
If you’re looking for a more comfortable, flowy dress – look no further. This mint green dress from ASOS is absolutely stunning and perfect for all shapes and sizes. We’re absolutely obsessed!
Jazliyn Puff Sleeve Midi Dress, Ted Baker, £225
So on trend for 2022, this floral, pattern clash midi dress from Ted Baker is super stylish and such a nice length, towing the line between fashionable and sophisticated. Definitely more demure, but beautiful nonetheless!
Arklow Dress, Reformation, £285
The a-line fit of this dress is absolutely beautiful, and paired with the fitted bodice, synching in under the bustier, you’ll look amazing on the big day. We LOVE the colour of the dress too – yes please!
Designer Mother Of The Bride Dress
Aldorra Midi Lace Dress, Ted Baker, £269
Not quite white (never do that), but this nude floral, lace dress from Ted Baker is a designer divas dream! Paired with some nude or gold heels, you’ll definitely stand out from the crowd – but not too much of course!
Hedii Wrap Maxi Dress, Ted Baker, £269
What a stunning dress, and so flattering too! The flowy skirt, with a sexy split, combined with the wrap effect is beautiful. And that berry shade is simply stunning – fit for any Mother of the Bride.
Roze Dress, Zadig & Voltaire, £605
Definitely on the more pricey-side when it comes to budgeting, but with designer clothing, you pay for what you get. And this stunning piece by Zadig & Voltaire is no exception! Paired with a gold belt and heels – to die for!!
Poppy Field Devoré Dress, Kate Spade, £209
Oh to be Pretty in Pink on the day of our daughter’s wedding – we could only dream. But thankfully, you don’t have to! This stunning ruffle-detailed piece from Kate Spade is absolutely stunning!
Joanna Hope Batwing Beaded Bridal Dress, JD Williams, £190
Who doesn’t love a bat-winged sleeve? Paired with stunning silver embellishment and a high neckline, we think this dress is absolutely stunning – and for such a good price too. That’s going straight in our baskets!
Budget Mother Of The Bride Dress
Tamra Floral Print Midaxi Dress, Little Mistress, £37.50
Just because you’re buying on a budget, doesn’t mean you can’t get your hands on gorgeous gowns – and this dress is the perfect example! We absolutely love that floral detailing on the waist. WOW!
Ruffle Detail Thigh Split Maxi Dress in Blue, Chi Chi London, £25
We can guarantee you’ll be feeling anything but blue on the big day if you turn up in this dress! That ruched one shoulder detailing is amazing and adds such an elegant touch to the gown. We’re in love!
Want to see more options like this? Check out our 33 beautiful blue bridesmaid dresses.
Fallen Shoulder Plisse Midi Dress, ASOS, £30
We don’t know about you, but we think yellow is one of the most beautiful colours you can wear as part of the bridal party. And this dress only proves our point! We love the fallen shoulder effect too – so trendy!
Navy Crepe V Neck Wrap Maxi Bridesmaid Dress, Missguided, £15
We love dresses that are simple, but still pack a punch. And this stunning gown from ASOS’ occasion wear collection fits right into that category. The plunging neckline paired with the belted waist is absolutely beautiful!
Blue Porcelain Print Long Sleeve Pleated Midi Dress, Pretty Little Thing, £30
Ending this list on a high, this afternoon tea-esque blue porcelain print dress is everything and more! Imagine walking down the aisle in this dress – just wow. A showstopper in the best way possible.
Styling Tips For The Mother Of The Bride
What sort of outfit can a mother of the bride wear?
There are no strict rules about what you can and can’t wear to your daughter’s wedding, as long as you don’t show her up or look inappropriate. An absolute no-no is wearing a wedding dress of course (yes it has been done before!) or wearing something that looks too much like the bridesmaids. You’ll also want to avoid wearing something that looks like you’re going to a funeral. Finally, make sure you choose something that works for your figure and that you feel comfortable in – you need to feel your best.
Are there any colours a mother of the bride should avoid?
Try not to go for a full white outfit as otherwise, you might look too bridal. The same goes for a full black outfit – you might look like you don’t approve of the marriage! Try to work with the colours of the bridal party and not clash with them. Remember you’ll be having pictures with the bride, groom, bridesmaids and groomsmen so it’s good to be in a complementary colour rather than standing out too much.
How far in advance should you search for an outfit?
It’s good to get your outfit sorted as soon as possible to allow for alterations and for you to find the right accessories to go with it. However, it’s good to wait on your shopping trip until you have an idea of what others in the bridal party are wearing before you get too carried away if you want to ensure you don’t clash with anyone or look too similar.
Can a mother of the bride wear black to her son’s wedding?
You can wear black to a wedding and it’s much more accepted these days, but try and add a little colour or bling to make it look celebratory rather than like you’re in mourning! Check with your daughter or son-in-law and if they are happy with you in black then you’re fine.
Does the mother of the bride have to wear a hat?
You don’t have to, but your son’s wedding is a brilliant excuse to pull out all the stops and really make a statement with a stunning hat or fascinator. Plus, it marks you out as a key member of the wedding, so we say if you’re comfortable in a hat… go for it!
