Dressing the Mother of the Bride

As if planning a wedding isn’t stressful enough, now it is time to dress the mother of the bride. The wedding dress is purchased, the bridesmaids dresses are chosen, the color theme is decided on. Now it is time for the mother of the bride.

Wedding etiquette dictates that the mother of the bride choses her dress before the mother of the groom. Then the groom’s mom can coordinate her dress with the mother and the rest of the wedding party. Each mother should pay for her own dress.

It is time to choose the dress. Since moms today look younger and hipper, she must be careful to not outshine the bride! It is still all about the special couple of the day. Your dress should compliment the bridesmaid’s dresses without you looking like one of the bridesmaids. Your color should compliment the other dresses. Remember that your dress will be forever remembered in the photos. It is easy to just give up and choose black, but black is denotes mourning or superstition, also never ever dress in white!!

Even though you are not to outshine the bride, that doesn’t mean you cannot be current and have a sense of style. Don’t go near the traditional mother of the bride dresses that makes everyone look like a square. You know the one—the straight no shape dress with the boxy jacket in horrible colors. Wear a suit or dress that compliments your body type and gives you a soft feminine shape. By far the best types of dresses for the mother of the bride are those that have simple chic lines to them without too many frills.
Always keep your décolletage modest (no girls hanging out the sides and front of your dress.) Your shoes should compliment your dress. I have seen many a mother of the bride or groom’s dress ruined by boxy ugly shoes. Take care that you are dressed from head to toe.

The same rules of how to dress for the wedding apply to the mother of the bride and the mother of the groom.