When choosing your wedding colours, you might already be considering what bridesmaid dresses will work with those colours and how you want them to look. But what about the mother of the bride? Does she wear a dress that matches with the bridesmaids, or should she stand out on her own with something completely unique? Read on in this article to find out.  

Choosing the mother of the bride dress 

This can often be overshadowed by shopping for the wedding and bridesmaid dresses. However, finding the perfect dress for your mum can be a key part of the wedding journey too. Also, if you’re already shopping for bridesmaid dresses, why not make the most of the experience and choose the perfect dress for the most important woman in your life to wear too. Whether you and your mum have a clear idea on the type and colour of dress she wants to wear or you’re keeping your options open.  

Maids to Measure has a wide collection of bridesmaid and wedding guest dresses to inspire you. Our forest green bridesmaid dresses are often a popular choice with our clients looking for bridesmaid and mother of the bride dresses for example. Due to the formal elegance of the colour that almost feels regal.  

Does the mother of the bride dress have to match the bridesmaids? 

In short, no, the mother of the bride dress doesn’t have to match the bridesmaids. However, this is a very subjective topic so it is completely up to you and your mum how you want her dress to be and whether it will resemble the bridesmaid dresses in any way. If you have a specific colour palette that you want to stick to for the wedding, then having the mother of the bride dress match or co-ordinate with the bridesmaids could be a good way to achieve that.  

Equally if your mum wants to stand out, she doesn’t have to match with the bridesmaids or even the wedding party in general. A popular option with a lot of brides now is to choose a mother of the bride that complements the bridesmaids rather than matches them. For example, if your bridesmaids are going to be wearing dusty blue bridesmaid dresses, then your mum could wear a different shade of blue for her dress.  

This will still give you a cohesive look that fits in with your wedding theme and colours whilst ensuring your mum stands out from the bridesmaids in the bridal party. If your mum would prefer to wear a completely different colour to the bridesmaids but you want a cohesive look you could compromise on a colour that’s within the same seasonal family as the bridesmaid dresses.  

For instance, if your wedding is in autumn or winter and you’re playing on the colours that work for those seasons like navy or burgundy. Your bridesmaids could wear one colour within that seasonal palette and your mother could wear another. Even if both you and your mum have strong opinions on what dress she should wear, there is always a compromise that can be made.  

What style of dress should the mother of the bride wear? 

For the most part, this will again come down to the personal preference of the bride and her mum. Keep in mind though that even if the style of the event is more informal, weddings are still quite a memorable and classy event. This means that the mother of the bride typically wouldn’t wear a dress that is considered to be skimpy or see through with a deep plunging neckline or an open back. If you have fitted bridesmaid dresses with any of these features, but still want the mother of the bride dress to match. It will probably be best to pick a similar dress in the same colour that is more flattering and suitable for your mum.  

Conclusion 

Overall, the mother of the bride dress doesn’t have to match with the bridesmaid dresses, but it can if you’d prefer it to. It all comes down to your personal preference as the bride as well as whether your mum would want to match with the bridesmaids who go for a completely different look to set herself apart.  

No matter what the circumstances are, you’re sure to find the perfect bridesmaid and mother of the bride dresses from Maids to Measure. Shop our stunning collection of dresses today and don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions.