What They Wore – Mother Of The Bride Dresses on Real Moms!
Since everyone enjoyed my Mother of the Bride photos a couple of weeks ago, I thought I’d post a few Mother of the Bride Dresses on Real Moms! Every time I advise women about what to wear when they are the Mother of the Bride or Groom, I remind them that they are the most important women at the wedding, next to the bride, and deserve to shine.
Whether you’re the MOB or MOB, you’ll find inspiration from this week’s readers who sent in these fabulous Wedding Day photos that celebrate what they wore.
Golden Sparkle
Laurie had been searching for months, looking for a gold dress to wear to her daughter’s July wedding. She finally found this gorgeous, embellished cold shoulder dress at Neiman Marcus. Formal and romantic, it was perfect for the church wedding and club reception. As soon as Laurie put on the dress, she knew it couldn’t compare to anything else. Her daughter agreed! Laurie and everyone else looked so pretty! 
Glam Gal
When Audrey’s beautiful daughter Caroline got married at the Milwaukee Art Museum this past October, Audrey chose this glamorous, dark navy gown with sparkle accents. Both the bride and mother of the bride looked stunning. The bridesmaids wore silvery-gray, and the MOG wore black. 
Gorgeous in Gray
Mary lost 20 pounds before the wedding and wanted a dress that would flatter her trim, new figure. So she chose a long gown that accentuated her best feature, her small waist, showing off her toned arms. As for color, Mary had been leaning towards a navy, gray, or silver-colored dress since the groomsmen were wearing light gray and the bridesmaids were wearing a dusty rose.
She ended up choosing this rich pewter shade. It was just luck that Mary found this dress at her first stop. She knew instantly it was the perfect color and silhouette. I must agree…she looked fabulous wearing this elegant lacy pewter dress with the delicate nude fabric underlay. Beautiful! Next up… Mary’s son is getting married this summer, and she’s already started shopping around!
Modern Color Block
Rita chose this vibrant coral color block gown with a pretty keyhole neckline for her daughter Lindsay’s summer wedding. She got it online for a steal. It was only $29, although she did have to add a full slip underneath it and some gold buttons to the back. In the church, Rita wore a beautiful shawl, which she removed at the reception.
Her cheerful dress got a ton of compliments, and Rita was very pleased with her choice of dress for this happy occasion. I think she looks fantastic! Now, here are some less recent photos I’ve posted before, but you may not have seen them. Take the a look at gorgeous Mother of the Brides!
Dazzling in Ice Blue
It might have been an Autumn wedding, but you wouldn’t have known it from the Mother of the Bride Dress. My reader, Maryellen, decided to forgo the typical orange/brown/burgundy fall palette for her eldest daughter’s special day and wear gorgeous ice blue. Maryellen (who was 53 at the time of the wedding) fell in love with this short, lacy sheath dress that sparkled like a jewel!
The dress was a big hit. When her son walked her down the aisle, Maryellen told me that she had heard someone utter, “Stunning!” She couldn’t have been more thrilled with her Mother of the Bride dress earlier that day. Both she and her daughter looked like movie stars, and the pictures turned out great! A touching side note: Maryellen’s daughter wore the same veil Maryellen wore 30 years before! How special!
Here’s a full-length look at Maryellen’s beautiful Mother of the Bride dress as she arrives at the wedding reception with her husband.
Elegant Emerald
Here’s a Mother of the Bride look that couldn’t be more perfect for a Winter wedding. When Danielle’s daughter Alexandra married in December 2020 in Georgia, Danielle chose this sophisticated Emerald Green cocktail dress.
Danielle always gravitated toward 50s styles and instantly fell in love with the retro vibe of this beautiful dress. The ruching around the middle and the portrait collar were also perfect for her body type.
This festive green is a gorgeous color on Danielle and complemented the MOG’s navy dress. The bridesmaids wore Maroon.
Royal Blue Is Always Regal
For her daughter Leslie’s October wedding in Virginia, Jan wanted a “jewel” color. She felt it would complement the eggplant-colored dresses that the bridesmaids and mother of the groom were wearing. Although she could have gone with navy, Jan felt that royal blue was more modern and better matched her skin tone and hair color.
Jan also loved the style of her dress, especially the neckline, which was wide at the shoulders and narrowed down to just below the knee. Since she is on the short side, she felt this length worked better than a long gown. Jan’s elegant Blue Mother of the Bride dress did a great job making her look regal!
A Knockout in Navy
Now, here’s an interesting twist on being the Mother of the Bride. A few years ago, Susan, the blogger known as The Midlife Fashionista, had the distinct honor of being both the Mother of the Bride and the Matron of Honor at her daughter’s wedding! Talk about playing an important role in the wedding!! For this once-in-a-lifetime event, Susan chose an elegant, navy, cocktail-length dress.
The dress featured a sparkly skirt and a flattering V-neck top. Pretty navy shoes with satin bows added a romantic touch. Susan says she chose this particular dress so she would match the bridesmaids but still look age-appropriate. Both mom and daughter look gorgeous! 
Classy and Timeless
There are so many moms, so many beautiful Mother of the Bride and Groom dresses. Here are a few well-thought-out dresses. They’re all so classy and timeless that these precious photos will never look dated. Top left: This is my reader, Diane Pechacek, from Auburn, WI. Doesn’t she look pretty in this pale pink, layered chiffon sheath?
Top Right: Meet Sheri Johnson from Inman, SC, who loved “rocking the red dress ” (she was 51 at the time of this photo). Sheri tells me that she read that red is not an appropriate color for the bride’s mother but wore red anyway because she feels rules are meant to be broken. She loved her dress, and her daughter did, too!
Bottom Left: This is Donna Hutchenson from New Jersey, a vision of loveliness in an elegant wine-colored one-shoulder dress with ruching.
Bottom Right: Meet Bobbie Rhodes from Godfrey, Illinois ( 55 at the time of this photo), looking very feminine and beautiful in blue at her son’s outdoor wedding.
Beautiful in Black
I’m often asked if wearing black as the Mother of the bride or groom is appropriate. Judging by this photo of Kathy and her daughter, I’d say it’s incredibly relevant and tasteful. Kathy looks gorgeous in her beaded halter gown by Carmen Marc Valvo. I love how striking the black looks next to her daughter Kelsey’s white wedding gown.
Charming in Champagne
It was a very special day when Pam’s daughter Christine married her sweetheart Ben. Not only did Christine wear her Mother’s wedding dress from 28 years prior (with a few customizations for herself), but she also married on her parents’ anniversary. For this momentous occasion, Pam wore a stunning champagne-colored empire waist gown with a matching bolero jacket, which she purchased at Dillard’s. Champagne is such an elegant shade and goes beautifully with her fair complexion.
Stunning in Strapless
A woman’s shoulders are one of the loveliest parts of her body, and Pamela chose to highlight hers in this stunning gown from Carolina Herrera. While it almost looks dark green here, it is actually black. The sweeping wrap waist detail is exquisite and very figure-flattering. Pamela chose to forgo a necklace in favor of delicate drop earrings and a pretty bracelet, which focus on her shoulders décolleté, and lovely face.
Dazzling In Sequins
The Mother of the Bride holds a very honored position, so why not go all-out glam on this day to remember? LaAnja chose a dazzling, sequinned, one-shoulder navy gown for her daughter’s wedding. Navy has been a popular trend among MOB dresses in recent years. It’s classy, slimming, and regal. To complement the asymmetrical neckline of the gown, LaAnja wore her hair in a soft updo. Both mom and daughter look like movie stars!
A Fusion Wedding
Imagine being able to wear not one but two Mother of the Bride Dresses!
Margaret did this when her daughter Jaqueline and her husband, Amogh, were married in a unique fusion wedding in November 2019 in Detroit that showcased each of their cultures.
Margaret’s two Mother of the Bride dresses were very different but equally as beautiful. One was a short-sleeved gold sequin Mother of the Bride gown by Adrianna Papell. It set a lovely contrast against the all-black formal dresses that the bridesmaids wore. For the other ceremony, Margaret wore a stunning orange Sari edged in gold. It looks like the bride wasn’t the only one feeling like a princess that day!
Metallic and Lace
For Debbie’s daughter’s wedding, she chose a three-quarter-length dress that sparkled. With its metallic sheen and lace bodice, Debbie’s teal dress is a true winner. She purchased both the dress and “butterfly” shoes at Macy’s, where she scored both for under $150. Although she didn’t spend it, Debbie looks like a million bucks!
Elegant and Exquisite
Top left: This is my reader, Nikki, with her son, the groom. Doesn’t Nikki look pretty in this custom-made pale lavender dress with sheer sleeves?
Top Middle: For Kelley’s son’s wedding day, she chose this knee-length floral fit and flare dress. Her nude sandals are an excellent choice for a printed dress like this one. A simple wrap that complements Nikki’s dress is stylish and adds coverage.
Top Right: When Jackie was shopping for the perfect dress for her stepdaughter’s wedding in Seattle, Washington, she knew two things: she wanted a dress with sleeves and that it had to be black (at the bride’s request). This Badgley Mischka dress with statement sleeves is a winner! The sleeves add a fun element to the dress and keep it from being too serious. Kate Spade shoes finish off Donna’s impeccable stepmother-of-the-bride look.
Bottom Left: This is Sharon Favre, the beautiful stepmother of the groom. For her stepson’s wedding, Sharon was in search of a dress that was anything but frumpy. Since she didn’t want a long dress, she loved the style and length of this knee-length dress. The bonus: the dress showed off her fabulous shoes, which were a tab high but incredibly comfortable.
Bottom Middle: Meet reader Mary Jo, who is 60 years old. Mary Jo’s daughter was married in June, and she chose this lovely teal, full-length gown with a lace bodice and ruched detail. This teal is flattering and complimentary for Mary Jo’s skin tone and hair color.
Bottom Right: Meet Shawn Brightwell, who is looking very feminine in her Adrianna Papell dress with flutter sleeves all,-over beading, and a pretty scalloped hem. This past summer, Shawn celebrated her daughter’s marriage with an intimate family wedding outside at a villa in Florence, Italy. Sounds picturesque! Thanks to all the moms who sent in photos.
If you want to be a part of our next Mother of the Bride/Groom round-up, please send a high-quality shot that shows off your dress. I’m sorry, but we cannot publish blurry or poorly lit photos. Email me at info@fabulousafter40.com and be our next Mother of the Bride/Groom Style Star! I love seeing your style and cheering you on, Glam Gals! Plus size. Check out Slimming Plus size Mother of the Bride Dresses.
Thanks to all the moms who sent in photos. If you want to be a part of our next Mother of the Bride/Groom round-up, please send a high-quality shot that shows off your dress. I’m sorry, but I cannot publish blurry or poorly lit photos. Email me at info@fabulousafter40.com and be my next Mother of the Bride/Groom Style Star!
NEED MORE IDEAS?
I need more ideas about what to wear as the Mother of the Bride or Groom. Pick up a copy of my bestselling 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.
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The MOBs and MOGs all look beautiful! I wish you had included some moms who are older than their 50’s. I’m having trouble finding a dress for my son’s wedding since I’m 71, have a prominent tummy and had a mastectomy 35 years ago without reconstruction. Strapless, one shoulder & V neck will not work for me and many styles are unflattering or inappropriate at my age.
Where could I get the dazzling ice blue lacy sheath short dress?
Hi Yvonne, This has sold out, but I have found something similar I just linked in the post. Have a look. Cheers. Deborah
I love the gold shimmer dress on Laurie! What brand is it???
Hi Lisa, Laurie tells me it is an Aidan Mattox gown. It is lovely!
Loving Maryellens dress. I would love to wear one like it to my daughter’s wedding. Can you tell me where it’s from? Thank you
Where can I get a dress as Mary Ellen has on?????
Hi Jeanie and Alison- wow, it looks like Mary Ellen’s dress is a bit hit! Mary Ellen, if you see this, please let us know. I have looked around and can’t find the same one, but I would check David’s bridal:http://tinyurl.com/ybrmh4uw as they always have an excellent assortment.
Thanks for including me! I can’t believe it’s been three years since my daughter Alyssa married. Time flies! My dress was by Kay Unger, by the way…I’m dying to wear it again! Susan http://www.themidlifefashionista.com
I love these looks. Elegant and approachable, great colors. Very fun! Thanks for the good ideas.