Mother-of-the-Groom Dress Etiquette Advice Every Mom Needs

Table of Content

• What Does the Mother of the Groom Wear?
• Ronald Joyce VM COLLECTION Dress Size 10/12 Navy Blue Lace Mother Of The Bride / Groom, wedding Guest V33.
• BHLDN Tansy Satin Charmeuse Maxi Dress
• Roksanda Alesi Dress in Red
• Andrea Embroidered Midi Dress in Recycled Polyester Blue - £150, Monsoon
• Printed Cotton-Poplin Dress - £1,500, Dolce & Gabbana at Net-A-Porter

Finding a plus-size dress that feels and looks amazing can be a challenge, but your search ends here. From black-tie gowns to knee-length cocktail dresses, there are numerous dress styles that will work for any occasion, venue, and wedding aesthetic. Sequins are a favorite for formal weddings, and Revelry's Gwen dress offers something truly special with its twisted front detail and graceful flutter sleeves.

For example, while velvet leans more formal, it's also a heavy material so it could get too hot at spring or summer events. That said, it's always a good idea to bring along a jacket or shawl if your dress has shorter sleeves, regardless of the season, just in case the venue gets chilly or if you want more coverage. There's something truly special about a holiday wedding, and as the mother of the bride or groom, your dress helps set the stage for the big event. This 1940s-style sequin ankle gown from Needle & Thread—which also comes in green, white, and pink—pairs perfectly with hot cocoa bars and snow-filled photo ops. There are few opportunities in life to wear a ball gown, and your son or daughter's formal wedding is definitely one of them!

What Does the Mother of the Groom Wear?

This refined style is perfect for all seasons, thanks to the semi-sheer sleeves and versatile midi silhouette. Add heeled booties for fall or winter functions, then switch things up with a stylish heeled sandal for spring and summer events. The wrap-style design feels dressy yet modest, while the midi-length skirt means you can show off some shiny new heels.

A head-to-toe coordinating pastel outfit is an easy way to do summer dressing, and is guaranteed to look totally chic. Inthis style by John Charles the sheath silhouette is super-flattering and the lace detailing on the arms and waist complements the soft fabric. We love this beautifully fitted dress that features a gorgeous embroidered bodice made from elegant floral lace fabric. It might be form-fitting but it is fully lined so you'll still feel comfortable. These shades may look similar to the bride's wedding dress, so it's best to wear different colors to avoid any color mishaps. However, some couples may want an all-white wedding party—if that's the case, wearing a frosty hue is perfectly okay.

Ronald Joyce VM COLLECTION Dress Size 10/12 Navy Blue Lace Mother Of The Bride / Groom, wedding Guest V33.

The fitted skirt, which is fully lined, finishes just above the knee and don’t get us started on the print. Cool tones are trending right now and this light grey-blue gown is a fabulous example. The size-inclusive dress, which comes in standard, petite and plus sizes, has intricate lace embroidery on the bodice and flows into a fitted pencil skirt.

This pure liquid silk mother of the groom dress is synonymous with a modern and timeless aesthetic which can be the perfect option for outfit change in a wedding for even a bride! The iconic chic dress design conveys minimal sophistication with straightforward tailoring that is highlighted and accented with a twist-front flourish. Imagine gifting your mother a dress for your wedding which she can wear even after the big day in almost 15 different ways- from strapless to halter to criss-cross, making it look like a new dress every time! This extremely versatile New York-made dress from BHLDN was an instant hit and became a favorite contemporary bridesmaids’ look complementing every body type.

BHLDN Tansy Satin Charmeuse Maxi Dress

In a shimmering and icy blue hue and dripping in crystal embroidery, this Adrianna Papell beaded gown was made for a winter wedding. Pair it with silver strappy sandals and chandelier earrings to complete your formal look. But make sure you start your shopping at least six months before the wedding. Here you will find expert tips, style inspiration and ideas for the special day. Some of the most flattering dress silhouettes for a plus-size mother of the groom are A-line, mermaid, and sheath. With that being said, mothers of the groom should always feel empowered to experiment with all different types of silhouettes.

We recommend dressing up this beach-perfect dress with gold flat sandals, drop earrings, and a pop of turquoise jewelry for perfect summertime nuptials. The multi-tier dress features a twirly bell-cut shape that is adorned by endless flouncy and semi-sheer ruffles along with a wide V neckline. It is meant for a casual wedding as this multi-tiered floral number with beach-ready details is perfect for a seaside affair or a spring-themed wedding and can be paired with espadrille wedges and a straw clutch. The cowl neckline on this number from BHLDN is such a beautiful way to frame your face in a unique and fashion-forward way. Falling at midi length with a simple silhouette, the Cali dress features two slits for optimal comfort and mobility.

Roksanda Alesi Dress in Red

We just can’t get enough of this Dolce and Gabbana mother of the groom gown for its delicate embroidery design and dreamy pink shade. Made out of the finest bridal fabric, this is the dress for your mother to wear on your big wedding day which will never go out of style. This blooming beauty is a classic option for the romantic mother of the bride who loves poetic aesthetics and wants to be a muse in all the precious wedding moments. However, before listing out our favorite fancy mother-of-the-bride or groom looks, it's important to highlight what "formal" actually means.

The high collared neckline and hemmed sleeves makes for a fresh, modern look that would work with both heels or flats. We understand that you’ll want to highlight your important role with a look that you love, so we’ve hunted high and low for our favourite mother of the groom outfits out there. Plus, we caught up with the experts to put together our top mother of the groom outfit styling tips – whatever burning questions you might have, we’ve answered them all below. Real weddingsFind wedding inspiration that fits your style with photos from real couples. While the couple will surely want you to feel your best in your dress, having a conversation with the couple beforehand can help set expectations and narrow down your options. To err on the safe side, we suggest that you start shopping for your dress six months before the wedding to allow for any shipping delays or alterations.

Andrea Embroidered Midi Dress in Recycled Polyester Blue - £150, Monsoon

Her work has been featured in Cosmopolitan, Women’s Health, Elite Daily, Betches, Zola, and more. Rachel Varina is a full-time freelancer with over 10 years of editorial experience and six years of experience in the wedding industry. Her work has been featured inCosmopolitan, Women’s Health, Elite Daily, Betches, Zola, and more. 'It’s the eternal signature of glamour and a form of costume that gives you confidence.

In fact, formal mother-of-the-bride dresses are some of the best pieces to shop for since they can really showcase your personal style. When shopping for the perfect mother of the groom dress, it's important to keep in mind what silhouettes work best for you and what goes well with the wedding aesthetic. From fashion-forward velvet to elegant necklines to body-hugging styles, you'll be dreaming up excuses to wear your ensemble again and again. If your mom likes a little more coverage, an embellished black gown with dark and sultry details in a high-low style will be an ideal option. The thing about black gowns is it looks flattering and great on everyone! Making it easy to walk and dance in, this effortlessly chic black sequin mother of the bride dress is designed to be easily worn again to another formal affair.

Even though the mother of the groom and the bride typically don't get ready together, no mother-of-the-groom dress rule advises against it. This means the decision depends on the relationship you and the bride have with one another. "The bride has to do what feels right to her, but I am of the opinion that she should be more inclusive than not because these are going to be her in-laws for a long time," Sabatino says. If getting ready with the bride isn't in the cards, arrive already dressed and seek the bride out to give well wishes before the wedding ceremony. The best practice as the mother of the groom is to keep the lines of communication open between you and the to-be-weds.

This ensures you know any themes you should follow and gives you plenty of time before the wedding to have any alterations made if necessary. John Charles are renowned for their luxury occasionwear, so we thought it only right to catch up with Regine Ellis, their Creative Director, for her top tips. From colour palettes to whether or not you can wear white, she has all the answers to help you look your best on the biggest day of your son's life. This & Other Stories dress ticks all the trend boxes in a really wearable way. If you usually wear dark shades but want to branch out into brighter colours for the wedding, this would make an excellent first foray.