24 Real Mother of the Bride & Groom Outfits That Wowed at Weddings
One of the best ways to put together the perfect Mother of the Bride (or Groom) Outfit is to take inspiration from what other women have worn. If you’re just beginning your search and need some inspiration, take a look at these beautiful wedding day photos sent in by my readers. These nine fabulous moms rose to the challenge, found their perfect dress, and looked gorgeous in their MOB/MOG gowns!
Champagne Dreams
Sometimes, you have to take a risk and try on something you might not normally wear to find the perfect MOG dress. That was the case with Julia.
For her son Dylan’s wedding, Julia tried on many dresses but couldn’t find what she liked. Then, a salesperson at Leggenda Bridal in Coral Gables, Florida, encouraged her to try on the off-the-shoulder style, but she was skeptical. Julia had never worn this kind of dress and was worried she wouldn’t be able to walk and dance without the shoulders dropping down and having to adjust them constantly.
After one slight alteration, Julia changed her mind. This gorgeous champagne off-the-shoulder dress fit like a glove, and she felt fabulous wearing it.
Julia chose champagne at the bride’s request. The wedding decor was white, navy, sage green, and a touch of yellow, and the bride felt the moms would look elegant in metallics like gold/champagne/silver.
Champagne also went well with the bridesmaid’s royal blue dresses. Each of the dresses had a different neckline the girls chose themselves. A granddaughter, who was four, wore a champagne dress with a navy bow around the waist and glittery sneakers. How cute!
Julia, you and your son are beaming in this photo, and your stunning choice of dress is sure to be one reason you are smiling. Gorgeous!
Sequin Stunner
It’s a special day, so why not sparkle? Bernadette sure did, at her daughter Allison’s wedding in December 2022.
Bernadette found this fairytale sequin gown dress from Adrianna Papell online and then went to Bloomingdale’s to try it on. As soon as she looked in the mirror, she knew it was the one! It fit perfectly, looked dazzling (she loves sequins), and had a small, lovely train. The gorgeous sky blue shade perfectly matched her skin tone and hair color, too! Her husband, Dave, and her daughter agreed it was a winner.
The bridesmaids, like the brides, wore black dresses and carried white flowers. Bernadette’s blue dress was a gorgeous complement to that.
It turned out to be the perfect day all around! The wedding took place in the Chicago area, and Bernadette was thrilled they had a 40-degree day on December 30th!
Bernadette, your classic beauty is shining through! You look beautiful!
photo credit: Rachel Leigh Photography
All That Glitters Is Gold
You be You! As Marylou knows, that’s important to remember when looking for an MOB gown.
For her daughter Paige’s wedding in August 2022 in Minneapolis, MN, Marylou chose this glamorous, elegant mother-of-the-bride gown in glittering rose gold gown. It’s by Adriana Papell, and she bought it at Revelry.com, where she was able to try the dress at home before she committed to buying it.
Even though the bridesmaids wore a mauve color with purple undertones, and the groom’s mother wore mauve, too, Marylou says she was definitely not “moving” it for the big day! (LOL!)
Marylou, I couldn’t agree more with your color choice. The soft rose gold is so flattering with your hair and complexion and makes you look positively glamorous!
Luxe Velvet for a Fall Wedding
Is there anything more luxe than velvet, especially for a fall wedding? When Rachel’s daughter Samantha’s daughter was married at The Arbor Loft in Rochester, Rachel wore this luxurious velvet burgundy gown. It’s elegant and understated, but the gorgeous color and texture give it a star style.
The wedding embraced a fall color scheme, with bridesmaids wearing various rich fall colors, like golden yellow, burgundy, and dusty pink.
Rachel’s daughter decided on burgundy velvet for her mom after they ordered a few dresses in various color combinations to see which they liked the best. The gown is from a catalog called Revelry that allows you to order samples to try on at home.
Rachel, you look gorgeous, and I love the warm and welcoming feel of velvet for the Mother of the Bride. Beautiful!
Elegant Embroidery
Beauty is in the details, and that’s obvious to see with this pretty MOB dress.
When Rhonda’s daughter, Sydney, was married last May in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, the bridesmaids wore dusty blue, the groomsmen wore light grey, and the groom wore navy. In keeping with this soft, understated color palette, Rhonda chose this exquisite navy embroidered gown.
It’s a classic fit-and-flare with a delicate illusion neckline, but what makes it really special is the gorgeous embroidery throughout. The dress is intricately embroidered with feminine florals and has shimmery touches of soft silver and light blue. It was the perfect dress to tie together all the colors of the wedding party and unite the two families.
The mother of the groom also looked beautiful. She wore a lovely lace bodice gown that was a slightly darker gray than what the groomsmen wore – more of a soft charcoal. You can see how all the outfits co-ordinated so well, which made for fabulous photos.
Rhonda lives in Raleigh, North Carolina, and bought her dress at Kannon’s Clothing, a local women’s boutique. The dress is a Rickie Freeman for Teri Jon gown.
Rhonda, thank you for sending in your photo. You look so fresh and pretty!
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Understated and Elegant
Even when the wedding is simple and low-key, you can still look elegant and memorable. Such was the case with Tami. When her son Naom was married last August in an outdoor ceremony, Tami chose this simple, sophisticated sequin gown by Clavin Klein.
Although she bought it in the U.S., the wedding was in Israel, but it was no trouble to pack it up and take it with her. Tami knew from the very start that this elegant, understated dress was for her.
It fit her perfectly, was a beautiful color that complemented her complexion and hair color, and looked great with her husband Asher’s deep blue suit!
Since the wedding was small and there were no bridesmaids, there was no worry about co-ordinating with anyone else, and the Mother of the Bride also opted for blue.
Tami, this was a classy choice, and it’s such a flattering style for your fabulous figure!
By Special Request
When Andrew and Khad were married in a small, low-key wedding in picturesque Kin Kin, Australia, the bride had a special request. She wanted all 40 guests, including the Mother of the Groom, to dress in bright, joyous colors to honor her own mother, whom she had recently lost to cancer.
Andrew’s mom, Anne, rose to the occasion and chose a vibrant floral gown designed by Camilla, a well-known Australian clothing designer. Camilla designs her fabrics, many of which are printed on beautiful silks.
Anne shared that Camilla’s attention to detail in her designs is amazing. While some of her designs are outlandish, others are more sedate. Anne’s captivating dress is a beautiful balance of Camilla’s design aesthetic.
Anne, you look feminine and modern. Your dress is a work of art! Those cheery florals are bursting through the dark backdrop, bringing joy and love.
She Got it Here, Folks!
When Mindy was dress shopping for her son Yoni’s fall wedding, she found inspiration right here on Fabulous After 40! While browsing our Mother of the Groom posts, she clicked on a link and found this fabulous green velvet dress! Mindy was instantly in love. Her eyes are dark green, and she knew green would be one of her best colors.
Velvet is always regal and very popular in the fall. It was perfect for the autumn weather in the White Mountains in New Hampshire, where the wedding was held.
Other wedding party members coordinated with Mindy. The Mother of the bride wore navy, and the bridesmaids wore wine. The groomsmen, the Father of the Bride and the Father of the Groom wore navy suits with wine-colored ties to match both.
Mindy, you look so sophisticated in that rich, deep green, especially with your pretty auburn hair! This dress is a winner.
Classy Camouflage
Finding an elegant mother-of-the-bride gown to flatter your figure can be a challenge, but Beverly pulled it off beautifully. For her son Tim’s wedding in Missouri, Beverly chose a dark navy dress with a simple bottom to hide her problem areas and shift the emphasis up to her pretty face.
Beverly discovered the dress while shopping at Dillard’s, snapped it up, altered the hem, and shortened the sleeves to 3/4 length. When it was all done, Beverly had her perfect Mother of the Groom Dress.
As for the bride’s mother, she wore a dress in a brighter shade of blue with simple embellishments around the sleeves. Grandma selected a pale gray, flowy pantsuit. The bridesmaids wore burgundy.
Beverly, you look lovely! This is such a pretty dress on you, and what a classic, timeless color and style!
Long Versus Short
When the Mother of the Bride wears a long gown, does the Mother of the Groom also have to? Lisa discovered that it was up to the Bride to decide, and in this case, it was no problem at all. Lisa got to wear this beautiful, knee-length cocktail dress she picked out for her son’s wedding, which took place last July in North Carolina.
With the Bridesmaids in teal and the MOB in Champagne, this navy shade was a perfect choice. Lisa fell in love with the detailed pattern on the bottom of the dress and the beautiful draping on top, which she says covered her 55-year-old arms just enough.
The draping also added volume to her shoulders, which she feels helped balance her pear-shaped body. And, of course, the stunning neckline also lengthened her neck, making her already 5’9″ figure look even longer and leaner. I love how elegant that draped neckline looks on you, Lisa!
Beautiful in Blue
When Denise’s daughter was married in October 2020, in the middle of the pandemic, at a beautiful outdoor wedding in the mountains of North Carolina, Denise knew she wanted to wear a unique dress, not your typical MOB dress.
She chose the beautiful, pale blue off-the-shoulder dress. Denise fell in love with the intricate embellishment detail and loved the idea of a 3/4 length dress.
With the Bridesmaids in navy and the Mother of the Groom, too, powder blue was a lovely way to stand out a little but in a non-jarring way.
The fun part was that Denise made shopping for this dress a family affair. Her daughters, daughter-in-law, sister, and granddaughters all shopped with her to find this gorgeous dress. I’m so glad they gave it the seal of approval. This dress looks like something you would see in a fairytale. Stunning!
Double Duty
How often does someone get to be both the Mother of the Bride and Mother of the Groom in the same year? That’s what happened to Alison in 2021 during the pandemic.
Alison’s daughter Lauren has always wanted to be married in the backyard she grew up in as a child, and thanks to COVID and the crackdown on the number of guests, that is exactly what happened. Lauren married in October, and as Mother of the Bride, Alison wore this gorgeous two-tone lace gown. It was romantic and feminine and very figure-flattering, and I love the way Alison’s wavy hair went so well with this style and how her husband Bill coordinated so perfectly with what she was wearing.
Earlier in August, Alison’s son David was also married. He, too, had to scramble to adjust his plans due to Covid and ended up marrying in a church, which was followed by a gorgeous formal reception (cocktails, dinner, and dancing) under a huge tent in the middle of the Bride’s family property as Mother of the Groom Alison opted for this summery floral gown that almost looked two-piece. It was perfect for an outdoor summer wedding, and I love the square neckline, which makes it look so modern and unique! You look so pretty in both, Alison!
The Millionth One!
After trying what seemed like a million dresses for her daughter Caroline’s wedding- some quite pricey- Jill stumbled upon this gorgeous dress with an interesting twist. Surprise! There is a slit up the middle of the skirt with skinny cigarette pants underneath!
The fabulous pants detail and the stunning floral fabric- for Jill, there was no need to look any more once she found this dress. And bonus- it was in her $400 price range, too! The wedding was held at Sacred Mountain in Julian, California, on July 31, 2021. The bridesmaids are in burgundy, and the MOG is wearing a navy dress. Jill tells me that she doesn’t think she has ever had as many compliments as she has when wearing this dress.
Desert Wedding
The location of the wedding can often provide clues as to how you might dress as the Mother of the Bride or Groom. When Sandra’s daughter Morgan married in Palm Springs, California, in 2021, Sandra took her inspiration from the chameleon-like desert sky and chose a dress that seemed to shift from gray to blue depending on the light. Sandra tried on thousands of dollars worth of dresses before settling on this glamorous one-shoulder stunner from Bloomingdales.
Although it was a little out of her comfort zone, Sandra loved that it was lightweight. So many others she tried on were “too heavy and made me feel like the bow of a ship!” The slight sparkle in the fabric was another draw, and Sandra loved how perfectly the dresses coordinated with the bridesmaids’ dresses, which were varying shades of orange and gold, like the dessert itself.
I think Sandra looks like a movie star standing next to her husband, Scott. How about you? A very glamourous Mother of the Bride, to be sure!
Regal Royal Blue
When Linda’s son was married in September 2020, the wedding had to be scaled down due to COVID, but that didn’t stop her from wearing something formal and elegant. Linda’s dress is Jovani’s, which she bought at a local boutique.
The salesperson encouraged her to try it on even though she hadn’t considered something so form-fitting, and to her surprise, she loved it! The bridesmaids wore dusty roses, and Linda’s son, the groom, wore a deep blue suit. The neckline on this is regal, and the sequins are pretty magical. You look like a million in this, Linda!
Champagne Celebration
Teresa and her daughter Christina looked like two peas in a pod on Christina’s wedding day. Teresa’s gorgeous champagne-colored faux wrap dress by Lauren by Ralph Lauren Party was just a few shades darker than her daughter’s dress and just as elegant. How did Teresa know this dress was “the one”?
All it took was her daughter Christina saying, “This one!” and Teresa’s decision was made! The groom is of Indian descent, and his mother wore a traditional Indian sari for the nuptials. Gorgeous, Teresa!
Sequin Sheath
For her son Max’s wedding in June in Minnesota, Pam tried on about 40 dresses. Although she loved a few of them, they felt too formal, too traditional, or just too much for her. She put this dress on and instantly knew it was right—not over-the-top dressy but enough to feel that it made a statement while complementing what the rest of the wedding party wore.
This Nicole Miller sleeveless, ankle-length sheath had just enough glam and was a comfortable length to wear and easy to dance in. The subdued floral sequins offered the perfect amount of glitz for a late-day wedding. This is a fabulous choice, Pam!
Pretty In Pink
Jennifer is pictured here with her two sons, Alex (left) and Steven. For Alex’s morning wedding, Jennifer chose to wear this above-the-knee, vibrant pink dress that features a wired collar that allows for shaping it to look the way you want it to. She had planned to wear it raised at the neck in the back, but as people hugged her throughout the day, the neck was gently pushed down.
Jennifer’s dress complimented the wedding color palette, inspired by a blooming desert cactus. The colors were grass green, sage green, mint green, coral, pale peach, blush, and silver. The MOB chose a dress in white lace and mint green, while the bridesmaids wore solid color dresses in coral, pale peach, sage, blush, and grass green, with each choosing a color and dress style that suited her best.
Here’s a fun fact about Jennifer’s dress: She purchased it at a boutique in New Orleans three years ago. Her lovely daughter-in-law liked the dress so much, especially with the other wedding colors she had chosen, that she did not mind that it had already been worn on three other occasions. You are so pretty in pink, Jennifer!
Fascinating Fascinator
Jane’s daughter, Gemma, was married in a lush setting in England. For this magical day, Jane decided on this dress since the wedding color scheme was rose gold. Jane was in search of a dress that would both complement and contrast with the color of the bridesmaid dresses (which were pale peach) and also match the navy men’s suits.
The long silk ankle-length dress with a keyhole neckline design was accessorized with navy shoes and a fabulous navy fascinator. The groom’s stepmother wore a dark navy dress with a peachy rose gold print.
Jane knew this dress was “the one” because of the dark navy background and the delicate colors and flowers on the print. What a feminine choice. You looked lovely, Jane!
Lovely In Lilac
For her daughter Heather’s wedding, Laurie knew she wanted to wear lilac. It is a favorite color of hers, and she has received compliments in the past when she’s worn this shade. After looking at many dresses online, Laurie returned to this lovely lilac lace overlay dress. She liked the modest neckline, the lace overlay, and the length of the sleeves for the June wedding. You made the right choice, Laurie. This is so fresh and feminine on you!
Sparkles and Shine
Doesn’t Pam look glamorous (and so happy) on the arm of her son, Logan, at her daughter Lyndi’s wedding in June? It was a small wedding in St. Gabriel, Louisiana, and it was cocktail party attire. Pam found her dress at David’s Bridal and just knew it was the one because it fit like a glove and needed no alterations! How perfect!
The bridesmaids wore burgundy, and the Mother of the Groom also wore navy. Lucky Pam has another wedding on the horizon as her son Logan is set to be married in June! I wonder what she will wear then. If it is anything like this, she is sure to wow!
Something Borrowed
When Ann’s daughter Grace got married in August in Lake Leelanau, Michigan, Ann borrowed her Mother of the Bride dress from a friend. It fit perfectly and looked stunning. Once Ann put the dress on, she knew it was the one she wanted to wear to walk Grace down the aisle.
The bridesmaids wore shades of blush pink, each choosing her dress and shade. The Mother of the Groom wore a silver dress. This dress is so soft and romantic, and I love the flowy bottom and sequin detail. Stunning Ann!
Blushing Mother of the Bride
When Lynn’s daughter Amanda was married in Deerfield Beach, Florida, in November, Lynn wore this beautiful blush-colored gown with a silver sequin overlay that she purchased at David’s Bridal. The Mother of the groom wore a dusty rose dress, while the bridesmaids wore blush-colored gowns with blush skirts and silver sequins on the bodice. That’s some dress, Lynn. You look fabulous!
Classy Front Slit Skirt
In early December, Sandy was the stepmother of the Bride. Her stepdaughter Dominique’s wedding took place in Staten Island, New York. Sandy wore a gown with a front slit in the skirt that showed just the right amount of leg to make this dress a little sexy while keeping it classy. An elegant look! I love the off-the-shoulder neckline, too. Sandy, you look sensational!
Thank you to all the Mothers of the Bride and Groom who sent in photos for this special feature! You are all style stars, and I know my readers appreciate the inspiration! Be Fabulous!
NEED MORE IDEAS?
Do you need more ideas about what to wear as the Mother of the Bride or Groom? Pick up a copy of my bestselling E-book Tweak Your Chic – Mother of the Bride. It will tell you everything you need to know on one of the most important and cherished days of your life.
Also, here are some more real-life mothers of the Bride and Groom:
Real Life Mother of the Bride Dresses that Inspire
Mother of the Bride Dresses Shine on Real Women!
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Could I have link for “The millionth one” dress in this article
Hi Loretta, I don’t know if that specific dress is still available but it is by Kay Unger and you can find more like it here:https://kayunger.com/search?type=product%2Cpage%2Carticle&q=walk+through
Hi Lisa, Have you tried https://www.adriannapapell.com/#mob.
Thanks so much for featuring my MOB dress and my beautiful daughter. There are so many gorgeous dresses here! We are honored to be part of the group.
Denise, you are an inspiration. Thanks so much for being a Fabulous After 40 Style Star!
Hello, I enjoyed reading your current post on ‘Real-life MOB and MOG dresses.’ My daughter is getting married in August in Chicago! It will be the first wedding for our family. I’m starting to look online at dresses, but it can get overwhelming. Do I order a bunch to try on or go to bridal shops/ boutiques? And I live in southern Alabama, so my daughter won’t be with me.
Her colors are eucalyptus for bridesmaids, deep navy for guys, and gold accents. I want to try gold sequined dresses…is that too much?
Thanks for any suggestions/ input you may have.
Hi Brenda, There is so much online you could start there. Gold sequins will be delicate if the bride is okay with it. Try https://www.adriannapapell.com/#mob, https://www.alexevenings, Nordstrom – https://rstyle.me/+N2uyzxdGUEhKggCTg4p_uw- Dillards first:https://rstyle.me/+XFdYiM9j5bQWlWg4UWbcvw and David’s Bridal to start: https://rstyle.me/+D6Fyf0kCMRHvc_BT_2Tmvw.
All of the mothers look beautiful! Seeing how they put together the dress, accessories, hair, etc., is lovely. I have to give a special shout-out to Sandy’s dress-I love the color and style. It is so flattering on her. Stunning!