Mother of the bride outfit: what does the mother of the bride wear?

The mother of the bride wears an outfit that is a little more formal than the guests’ outfits, but never white or cream: a dress, a two-piece set or elegant trousers with a dressy top, chosen to match the couple’s colour scheme. Which option suits the day depends mainly on whether the wedding is a civil ceremony, a church wedding or both.

As the mother of the bride, all eyes are on you throughout the day: at the reception, in the family photos and often during a short speech too. Your outfit should look festive and still be comfortable to wear for many hours. Here you will find what the mother of the bride wears, which colours work, what suits a register office ceremony and how to choose an outfit with trousers, over 50 or as a curvy woman. How guests dress is covered in the guide wedding guest outfits for women.

What does the mother of the bride wear to the wedding?

The mother of the bride is part of the closest family and appears next to the couple in many photos. Her outfit can therefore be one step more formal than the guests’ outfits, without drawing attention away from the bride. Three points help you choose:

• A little more formal than the guests: a fabric with texture, lace or a soft sheen instead of an everyday fabric.
• Not in white: white, cream and ivory are reserved for the bride, even at a civil ceremony.
• Agreed with the couple: many couples have a colour scheme or a dress code. Ask beforehand, and your outfit will fit in with the photos.

Mother of the bride outfit: dress, two-piece or trousers?

Dress. A midi or floor-length dress is the classic choice and looks festive with very few accessories. You will find styles among our dresses for women.

Two-piece set. A top and trousers or a skirt in the same fabric look like one piece and can be worn separately after the wedding. Browse the range of two-piece sets.

Trousers with a dressy top. For a long day with a reception, photos and a party, wide, flowing trousers are comfortable.

How to put a top, a bottom and a third layer together into a coordinated look is shown in the guide complete outfits for women.

Mother of the bride outfit for the register office: what suits a civil ceremony?

A civil ceremony is usually shorter and a little simpler than a church wedding. For the mother of the bride outfit at the register office, this means: festive, but a touch lighter.

• Two-piece set: a set of top and wide trousers looks modern and suits a morning appointment well.
• Knee-length or midi dress: a simple cut in one colour, with a jacket.
• Blouse and skirt: a flowing blouse with a midi or maxi skirt is a calm, festive combination.

Register office and church on the same day. If the civil ceremony comes first and the church wedding later, one outfit that works for both is enough. Covered shoulders are customary in church, and a jacket or cardigan on top solves that.

What colour does the mother of the bride wear?

White, cream and very light beige shades are off limits for the mother of the bride, because in photos they can look like a wedding dress. Otherwise the colour depends on the wedding’s colour scheme and the season.

• Spring and summer: rosé, dusky pink, lilac, sage or taupe look light and festive.
• Autumn and winter: burgundy, dark green, navy or brown suit the season.
• Black: is no longer off limits at many weddings, especially in the evening. If in doubt, ask the couple.
• Pick up the colour scheme: if the couple has a main colour, a shade from the same colour family or an accessory in that colour is enough.

Mother of the bride outfit with trousers: how to make it festive

Trousers have long been a common choice for the mother of the bride, especially when the day is long. A mother of the bride outfit with trousers looks festive through the fabric, the cut and the top.

• Wide, flowing trousers: they reach down to the shoe and drape softly. You will find styles among our wide-leg trousers.
• Lace trousers: the texture turns the trousers themselves into the festive piece, so a simple top is enough. Browse the lace trousers.
• Satin trousers: the soft sheen suits an evening celebration, paired with a matt top. You will find styles among our satin trousers.

Calm trousers go well with a lace top, a flowing blouse or a top with a sheen. Which tops are suitable is covered in the guide dressy tops for a wedding. Lace styles are among our lace tops.

Curvy mother of the bride outfit: style and choice

An outfit for a curvy mother of the bride is not about rules, but about pieces you feel comfortable in all day and that suit the occasion. A few style ideas make choosing easier:

• A two-piece in one colour: a top and trousers or skirt in the same shade give a calm, continuous look from top to bottom.
• Flowing fabrics: viscose, satin or soft lace hang loosely and leave room to move when sitting and dancing.
• Long lines: wide trousers down to the shoe, a maxi skirt or a long open cardigan look calm and festive.
• Layers: an open jacket over a dress or a longer top over trousers can be put on and taken off during the day.

Many pieces in the shop are One Size, cut for roughly sizes 34 to 42, and the exact measurements are listed on each product page. Midi and maxi styles are among our skirts.

Mother of the bride outfit over 50: cuts and fabrics

Over 50, little changes about how an outfit is put together. Many mothers of the bride choose calm colours, clear cuts and textured fabrics rather than large prints.

• One material as the accent: lace, satin or bouclé carry the outfit, and the rest stays simple.
• Coordinate lengths: tops that end at or just below the hip go well with wide trousers and midi skirts.
• Tone on tone: top, bottom and jacket in one colour family, for example taupe with brown or rosé with dusky pink, look elegant.

Jacket, shoes and accessories for the mother of the bride

A jacket or cardigan over the shoulders. For church, an outdoor reception or late in the evening, a third layer belongs to the outfit. A short bouclé jacket looks festive and goes with a dress, a two-piece or trousers. You will find styles among our bouclé jackets. A light cardigan can be draped loosely over the shoulders and put on when needed. Browse the cardigans.

Shoes. The mother of the bride is on her feet for many hours, at the reception, during the photos and on the dance floor. A block heel, an elegant sandal or a flat court shoe is more comfortable over the day than a high, narrow heel.

Accessories. A small clutch, subtle jewellery and, if needed, a wrap for the shoulders complete the outfit. An accessory in the couple’s colour, such as a wrap or a bag, links your outfit to the colour scheme.

To match in the shop: two-piece sets, dresses for women and lace trousers.

Frequently asked questions

What does the mother of the bride wear to the wedding?

The mother of the bride wears a dress, a two-piece set or elegant trousers with a dressy top. The outfit is a little more formal than the guests’ outfits, but not in white or cream.

Can the mother of the bride wear trousers?

Yes, trousers are a common choice for the mother of the bride. They look festive as wide lace or satin trousers with a lace top or a flowing blouse, for example.

What does the mother of the bride wear to the register office?

A two-piece set, a knee-length or midi dress, or a blouse with a skirt suit the register office. The outfit can be a little simpler than for a church wedding, and a jacket is part of it.

What colour should the mother of the bride not wear?

White, cream and very light beige shades are off limits, because they are reminiscent of a wedding dress. Whether black or the bridesmaids’ colour is suitable is something to check with the couple beforehand.

Which outfit suits a curvy mother of the bride?

A two-piece in one colour, flowing fabrics and long lines such as wide trousers or a maxi skirt are a calm choice. An open jacket or a cardigan adds another layer to the outfit.

What does a mother of the bride over 50 wear?

Many mothers of the bride over 50 choose calm colours, clear cuts and one material as an accent, such as lace or satin. A two-piece or a dress with a jacket in one colour family looks elegant.