There's so much planning to do before a wedding, and choosing dresses for the wedding party can be one of the biggest challenges. While most of the focus is naturally on the bride's gown and then the bridal party, finding the perfect dress for the bride's mother is just as important as the rest.
The mother of the bride will be mingling with guests, walking down the aisle, sitting in the front row during the ceremony, and sharing one of the first dances after the vows have been exchanged. She will also be making an appearance in many of the most important wedding photos, so it's crucial that her dress isn't only one that coordinates with the bride's gown and the bridal party's dresses, but is also one that she feels comfortable and confident in.
With so many outfits to plan for, one of the most common questions is when to buy the mother of the bride dress. Follow the guide below to learn everything you need to know about coordinating this crucial element of the wedding planning process.
When Should You Buy a Mother of the Bride Dress?
The Mother of the bride's dress should be picked out after the bride picks out her dress but before the bridesmaids. Follow the guidelines below to understand exactly when to buy the mother of the bride dress during your wedding planning process.
Custom Dress
While some women will feel comfortable and confident in the first ready-to-wear dress they try on; others will want a little more TLC when choosing their look. If the bride's mother needs a custom dress, start the process at least six to eight months before the wedding. This will leave plenty of time for alterations and the mother of the groom to find a coordinating look once the dress is ready. Keep in mind that this means the bride's gown and bridesmaid's dresses need to be chosen and ready well before the six-to-eight-month mark as the mother of the bride will need to select a coordinating dress before the custom work begins.
Off-the-Rack
If the mother of the bride is set on choosing a dress straight off-the-rack, start the process about two months before the wedding date. The last fitting and any final altercations should take place about two weeks before the wedding.
Buying Accessories
Whether the bride's mother has opted for a custom or off-the-rack dress, it's crucial to wait until she gets the dress before going accessory shopping. Although it's tempting to start the accessory-buying process while waiting for the dress to be finished, especially if you're on a time crunch, seeing the final style and subtle changes in color can lead to entirely different accessory choices than you may have anticipated without having the actual dress in front of you.
If the Timeframe is Short
Working on a short time frame changes a few things about the dress and accessory buying process. If the mother of the bride has found the perfect dress but can't get it in time, check boutique stores that offer a mix of off-the-rack and custom options to find a dress in a similar color and style that can be custom-tailored to come close to the dress of her dreams. Many boutiques also have personal stylists you can work with who are knowledgeable about the various silhouettes, colors, and fabric that each dress comes in. Getting assistance from a professional stylist is the surest way to find the look you have in mind when you're in a pinch for time.
5 Tips to Consider when Purchasing a Mother of the Bride Dress
Now that you understand when to buy the mother of the bride dress, it's essential to know how to coordinate it with the mother of the groom's dress while ensuring that her comfort and styling are on-point. Read on for five additional tips to consider when purchasing a mother of the bride dress.
Mother of the Bride Before Mother of the Groom
Typical wedding planning etiquette dictates that the mother of the bride chooses her dress before the mother of the groom, but only after the bride has settled on a gown and the bridesmaid's dresses. However, the mother of the bride should make a timely choice to leave the mother of the groom enough time before the ceremony to find her dress.
Matching Dress Lengths
While the mothers of the couple shouldn't necessarily choose matching dresses, a perfect way to coordinate is to match the lengths of the dresses. Embellishments and color palettes are other good elements to consider coordinating if the mothers each want dresses of different lengths.
Comfort Before Fashion
When it comes to the mother of the bride, comfort should always come before fashion. She will only look her best when she feels her best, so make sure she doesn't choose a dress that she'll feel too constricted in or shoes that will be aching her feet before the reception begins.
Don't go too Heavy on Jewelry
From the bride to her mother, no one in the wedding party should go too heavy on the jewelry. Choose a statement piece to focus on – this could be an elaborate necklace if the style of the dress allows, or a pair of statement earrings with a coordinating bracelet if a necklace doesn't go with the dress style.
Keep the Bride Involved with the Shopping Process
One of the most important things for the mother of the bride to understand is that the bride's gown sets the tone for the wedding. For coordination's sake, it's crucial to keep the bride involved with the shopping process because she's the one who knows the details of all the dresses as well as the overall theme of the wedding.
Stick to the tips outlined in the above guide to remember when to buy the mother of the bride dress and how to coordinate it with all the other essential dresses in the wedding party. If all goes according to plan, you'll end up with a perfectly coordinated party and a mother who feels as good as she looks.
FAQs
Generally, we recommend giving yourself 6-8 months to shop for the right dress. You want enough time to find a dress you love and get any necessary alterations before the big day, so that your dress fits perfectly for the wedding.
Who buys the mother of the bride dress? ›
Mother of the Bride & Groom
Both the mother of the bride and the mother of the groom are expected to pay for their own wedding attire. Typically, these gowns do not need to match the bridesmaid dresses, however, some brides prefer for the gowns to coordinate in some way.
What is etiquette for mother of the bride to wear? ›
Generally, choose an outfit that compliments the bridesmaid's dresses as well as the colours of the wedding. However, try not to go for something too similar. To stand out a bit from the bridesmaids, so your dress should complement rather than match the bridesmaid's dresses.
What length dress is best for mother of the bride? ›
Knee-length dresses are perfect for more casual weddings, while midi-length dresses are a great choice for more formal events. For evening weddings, floor length mother of the bride gowns are the most traditional and formal option. These gowns exude elegance and sophistication, and are perfect for black-tie affairs.
Is it customary for mother of the bride to buy wedding dress? ›
Plan Ahead and Communicate Your Choice
What's more, since it's customary for the mother of the bride to buy her dress first, and then share her choice with the mother of the groom, planning ahead will ensure that everyone has time to coordinate their looks.
What color is the mother of the bride's dress supposed to be? ›
Typically the Mother of the Bride's dress should complement the bridal party's color palette. Not necessarily match with the bridesmaids, but choose a color in the color family. The most popular color for the mother of the bride to wear is navy or a royal blue, followed by blush or a shade of nude.
Who gives the mother of the bride gift? ›
When it comes to who gets gifts on the wedding day, it's customary for the couple to buy presents for the wedding party and all of their parents, including the mother of the bride. Many brides give their mom a personal, sentimental gift at some point before or after the ceremony as a token of their appreciation.
What colour should the mother of the bride not wear? ›
Answer: Typically the mother of the bride's outfit is whatever fits her style. In terms of color, traditionally, attendants and the MOB would avoid white (upstaging the bride), black (it reminds people of mourning) and red (because it's flashy).
Does the mother of the bride greet guests? ›
It's the mother of the bride's responsibility to greet all the guests she knows, and introduce herself to those she doesn't. The MOB should be part of the receiving line (if the couple is having one), and if not, she should go table to table to say hello to guests and thank them for attending.
Is the mother of the bride supposed to give a gift? ›
Young brides usually have the wedding/reception paid for by their parents, so traditionally that was the gift. Mothers can choose to give their daughter a gift, but it certainly isn't expected.
Navy is the most popular mother of the bride dress color. Not only is navy timeless, but this color dress will work in a variety of wedding venues and locations. We have many navy gowns from which to choose.
Should mother of the bride wear hair up or down? ›
Unless the bride has made specific demands of her guests/bridal party, you are free to wear your hair in any style that makes you feel beautiful. The only thing you need to avoid is any outfit/hairstyle/makeup that could possibly outshine the bride. Keep it tasteful and simple, and you'll be just fine.
Does the mother of the bride carry a purse down the aisle? ›
The mother of the bride can wear a handbag or opt out of it, the choice is her own!
Does the mother of the bride wear a long or short dress? ›
Their dresses can be of any color, style, or length as long as they are appropriate for the wedding. However, if the bride and groom want their mothers to wear complementary colors, the mothers of the bride and groom should discuss ideas and collaborate on their outfits to prevent mishaps.
Is it OK to wear the same color dress as the mother of the bride? ›
To augment the distinction, you can choose different accessories. It's best to stay away from white or any shade matching the dress of the bride unless you have her explicit consent. The good news is that MOB and MOG dresses are not relegated to the realm of boring colors any more.
Does the mother of the bride buy a gift for the mother of the groom? ›
Of course, you want to get off on the right foot and set the tone for the coming months. Your families are merging, and you are naturally excited to meet your daughter's new mother-in-law. However, there is no need to give a gift. It's very gracious of you and your daughter to include her on such a special day.
What does the mother of the bride traditionally pay for? ›
The bride's parents pay for the wedding dress. They also pay for any other elements of the bride's outfit, such as shoes, veil, hair accessories and jewellery. It's also the responsibility of the bride's mother to accompany her while dress shopping, and help her choose a gown.
Does the mother of the bride pay for anything? ›
When it comes to paying for the wedding, there are differing views. While traditionally, the bride's parents were responsible for hosting (and paying for) the entire celebration, today, many couples join both sets of parents in contributing.
Does the mother of the bride have any duties? ›
The mother of the bride plays the role of hostess, meaning you should spend some time greeting guests during the reception. Although there are exceptions, other wedding-day duties may include sitting at the parents' table and dancing with the father of the bride to help warm up the dance floor.
Does the mother of the bride give the groom's mother a gift? ›
Although there is no need to give a gift, there is also nothing wrong with doing so if you choose. Ask your daughter for some guidance as to allergies, preferences, etc., and make it something small so you don't make her feel uncomfortable. Simply being included is probably gift enough.
