Visit Martha Stewart Weddings Weddings Dresses & Style Fashion Mother-of-the-Bride and-Groom Dresses 62 Unique Mother-of-the-Bride Dresses We’re Still Thinking About See some of our favorite frocks from throughout the years. By Sarah Schreiber Sarah Schreiber Sarah Schreiber has been writing, editing, and producing lifestyle and weddings content for over seven years. In that time, she has interviewed and worked with hundreds of leading experts to become an authority on all things homekeeping, flower arranging, home design, and wedding planning. Editorial Guidelines Updated on October 22, 2024 Close Photo: Allen Tsai We've always heard that mother knows best, and if these mothers of the bride (and mothers of the groom!) are any indication, that adage rings true—especially when it comes to their own wedding style. Case in point: These mother-of-the-bride dresses are proof that moms know how to pull together a pretty incredible look for their child's nuptials. With all the time she's likely invested in the big day (and so many other days leading up to it), she certainly deserves a special 'fit. So start getting inspired for the MOB's day-of look with these stunning numbers from real-life nuptials. Whether the celebration is black-tie formal or cool and beachy, the mother-of-the-bride dresses below will keep with the theme and have mom looking and feeling her best. 8 Best Places to Shop for Stylish Mother-of-the-Bride Dresses 01 of 62 Lace Illusion Liz Banfield An illusion lace neckline shows off a sliver of skin in the most elegant manner. This mother of the bride's navy blue number hits right at the knee, so it's formal while still allowing her to comfortably break a move on the dance floor. 02 of 62 Beaded Halter Neckline Brushfire Photography An MOB who wants to show off her arms? No problem. A halter neckline will keep the spotlight on her strong shoulders and biceps. Beaded detailing along the neckline add glitz and glamour for the formal affair. 03 of 62 A Soft Blue Hue KT Merry Can the MOB be your something blue? Why not! This mother of the bride donned a breezy blue dress for her daughter's special day. The softness of the hue paired with the billowy chiffon sleeves are positively dreamy. 04 of 62 Contrast Embroidered Lace Kate Headley While the deeply saturated blue hue of this mother of the bride's dress is gorgeous all on its own, it's the contrast lace embroidery along its bodice that really makes it a showstopper. 05 of 62 Cold Shoulder Design The Grovers From the cold shoulder design to the glimmering appliqué and straps, the details on this mother of the bride's fit are simply stunning. The pleating along the bodice is also ultra-flattering. 06 of 62 Caped Chiffon Dress KT Merry The neutral gray color of this mother's frock compliments the bridal white hue of her daughter's dress perfectly. (It'll also look right at home next to the bridesmaid dresses—no matter the color palette—for those requisite group shots. The Ultimate Wedding Photo Shot List 07 of 62 Waistline Detailing Alicia Rinka Lace appliqués and pearl detailing highlight the waistline on this mother of bride's blue taffeta dress. The ruffled neckline is an additional stylish, feminine touch. 08 of 62 Navy Sparkles Jeremy Harwell This mother-of-the-bride wore a floor-length, deep navy blue gown, accented with sequins that brought a touch of glamour. 09 of 62 Light Blue Floral Charla Storey Here, the bride's mother wore a blue-and-green floral Marchesa gown that complemented her daughters' (the bride and bridesmaids) gowns. 10 of 62 Elegant Neutral Clay Austin Photography Walking arm-in-arm with her daughter, this mom donned a simple, neutral gown with a deep v-neck. 11 of 62 Blue Hue Allen Tsai This mom sported a navy dress with floral-like embellishments as she escorted her daughter down the aisle. 12 of 62 Think Green Meiwen Wang Photography After creating her daughter's mermaid silhouette wedding dress, complete with ivory tulle, floral applique, beading, and an off-the-shoulder tulle overlay, the bride's mother donned a green, floor-length gown with delicate beading. 13 of 62 Floral Details Rebecca Yale Stunning pops of pink and purple florals covered the bottom of the mother-of-the-bride's gown. The flower details also accented the dress in more muted hues towards the top of it. 14 of 62 Floor-Length Sequins Jessi Nichols Photography The bride's mom donned a black sequin gown for the big day, including a matching cover-up and clutch. 15 of 62 Champagne-Colored Flowers Bonnie Sen This bride's mom escorted her down the aisle in a floor-length golden gown with a floral overlay. 16 of 62 All About Illusion Necklines Laura Gordon Both the mother of the bride and the mother of the groom chose striking gowns with embellishment and illusion necklines for this outdoor celebration. 17 of 62 Color-Coordinated Choker Greg Finck A matching white choker topped off this mother-of-the-bride's look, which was also complemented by a chic low bun. 29 Mother-of-the-Bride Hairstyles That'll Make Her Feel Special 18 of 62 Lacey Sari Meg Smith This proud mother wore a traditional and ornate lace sari and accessorized with bright statement jewelry. 19 of 62 Short and Sweet Dear Lovers Photography This mom's knee-length patterned dress perfectly matched the mood of her child's outdoor wedding venue. 20 of 62 A Traditional Look Greg Finck A patterned magenta "gele," a traditional Nigerian head tie, and matching sash ensured that this mother of the bride stood out beside her daughter. 21 of 62 Stylish Jumpsuit Rachel May Photography For the mom who likes to look put together and modern, a jumpsuit in slate gray is sure to wow. Chic Wedding Suits for Mothers of the Bride and Groom 22 of 62 Delicate Details Meiwen Wang This mother of the bride donned a beautiful light gray gown with an illusion neckline brimming with beautiful beaded detailing. 23 of 62 Shades of Blue Abby Jiu Photography For her daughter's art-filled Washington, D.C., wedding, this mother of the bride (left), donned a quirky, multi-patterned Oscar de la Renta gown. The bride's aunt was just as fashionable in a Reem Acra number with lace and sheer ruffles. 24 of 62 Ankle-Skimming Ashley Brown The champagne colored ankle-length wrap dress looks stunning on this mother of the bride. 25 of 62 Beautifully Traditional Laura Gordon This bride's mother donned a gorgeous sari for her daughter's wedding. The entire look was the perfect match for the couple's tradition-filled day. 26 of 62 Mother of the Bride in Blue Abby Jiu Photography This mom chose a royal blue gown with an illusion neckline and a floral overlay for a striking big-day look. 27 of 62 Wrapped Lace Patrick Moyer This mom also wore Nigerian attire, and paired her lace wrap dress with a chartreuse gele. 28 of 62 Wildflower Embroidery Brian Hatton Photography Pink anemones and blue and yellow wildflower buds accented this pretty black dress worn by the mother of the bride. 29 of 62 Blushing Beauties Jose Villa One mom's blush attire looked beautiful against these two brides' romantic wedding dresses. 30 of 62 Subtle Sparkle Melissa Jill Photography The beaded metallic tassels on this glimmering gown really came into play when this mom took the dance floor. 31 of 62 Pink Bow Sarah Kate Photography A voluminous looped bow brought major drama to a structured magenta number worn by the mother of the bride. 70 Wedding Dresses with Bows 32 of 62 Blue Buds Sarah Kate Photography In a cerulean gown with 3D florettes, this beaming mom was her daughter's something blue. 45 "Something Blue" Wedding Ideas That Are So Unique 33 of 62 Floral Hanbok Carmen Santorelli Photography This mom wore a traditional hanbok with floral and geometric embroidery to her daughter's California ranch wedding. 34 of 62 Slate Gray Veronica Varos From the trumpet cut to the swirled-lace embroidery and the sheer bow at the back, this mom's slate gown was all about the details. 35 of 62 Green Trumpet Gayle Brooker We loved how this mom's green satin gown subtly matched the shape of her daughter's lace wedding dress. 36 of 62 Scoop Neckline Michael Radford A dainty necklace prettily mimicked the scoop neckline on her blush pink dress. 37 of 62 Powder Blue Kate Headley With cap sleeves and an illusion neckline, this fitted blue beauty was perfect for this D.C. wedding's hostess. 38 of 62 Peachy Sari Lacie Hansen Photography Peach, crimson, and gold brought punchy color to a traditional Indian sari. Attending Your First Mehndi Party? Here's What You Need to Know About This Pre-Wedding Event 39 of 62 Jade Lace Julie Livingston Photography With palm leaf décor and lots of vines, green was a main theme throughout this charming and colorful South Carolina celebration. The bride's mother clearly had the color palette in mind when she chose this jade lace dress. 40 of 62 Strapless and Pink KT Merry Her strapless and blush pink gown, with textured floral details and an embellished belt, had this mom smiling from ear to ear. 41 of 62 Illusion Beading Katie Mitchell Photography For blogger Jenny Bernheim's fancy rehearsal dinner, her mother wore a Carmen Marc Valvo dress, complete with a beaded illusion cut-out. 42 of 62 Pink Print Katherine O'Brien Photography The best part of this punchy gown wasn't the colorful rose print—it was the pockets! 43 of 62 Whimsical in White Mo Davis Photography This mother of the bride wore a white tunic and skirt for a boho-chic ensemble. 44 of 62 Checked Elisa Bricker A navy cut-out overlay added a cool geometric pattern to a blush pink skirt. 45 of 62 Vintage Embroidery Patricia Lyons Photography The mother of the bride's Oscar de la Renta gown was such a hit, it actually inspired the bridesmaids' bouquets. "Not by accident," added bride Madelyn. 46 of 62 Punchy Red Lace Kristen Kilpatrick A red lace Erdem dress, embroidered with pink and crimson blooms, paired perfectly with this fashionable mom's half-up, half-down hairstyle. 37 Half-Up, Half-Down Wedding Hairstyles We Love 47 of 62 Black Tie Fashion Heather Waraksa Isn't a smile the best accessory? This glammed up mother of the bride looked absolutely amazing in a black gown with a V-neckline and knee-high slit as she headed down the aisle before the bride's processional. 48 of 62 Heavenly Halter Jenny Quicksall This mother of the bride escorted her daughter down the aisle in a light blue stunning halter dress. 49 of 62 Sophisticated Style Aaron Delesie How sweet is this stolen mother-daughter moment? This mom's gown featured a striped off-the-shoulder neckline that was a beautiful complement to the bride's own wedding dress. 50 of 62 Golden Girl Roey Yohai Photography A gold and cream gown (paired with statement-making gold earrings) looked great on this mother of the groom as she and her son swayed to Louis Armstrong's "What a Wonderful World." 51 of 62 Aqua and Gold Sari Sea Light Studios An aquamarine sari, embroidered with gold florals, looked lovely with a lei. 52 of 62 Neutral Chic Judy Pak Photography The mother of the bride and the mother of the groom both looked extra lovely on the big day, beaming together in their neutral dresses. 53 of 62 Off-the-Shoulder Mike Cassimatis A folded off-the-shoulder bodice floor-length gown is a luxe choice for a black-tie affair. 54 of 62 Like Mother, Like Daughter Tec Petaja For the formal Southern garden wedding of Susan Sarandon's oldest child, Eva Amurri, the actress turned to designer Lela Rose to make a knee-length charcoal dress that complemented the bride's with a similar lace neckline. 55 of 62 Role-Model Mom KT Merry "When it comes to fashion," the bride Annie said, "I look up to my mom," who wore a traditional hanbok to the black-tie garden party at Beverly Hills's Greystone Mansion. 56 of 62 Dashing Duo Odalys Mendez The best-dressed couple at this easygoing outdoor celebration in Athens, Georgia, was the bride and groom. But this pair also earned the distinction. The groom's dad donned a Jos. A. Bank suit, and his mother chose a floral dress in a complementary color. 57 of 62 Beautiful in Brocade Tanja Lippert Photography This mother-of-the-groom's shimmery brocade sleeveless dress with a draped neckline suited every part of this Pebble Beach fête, including the mother-son dance to Josh Groban's "You Raise Me Up." 48 of the Best Mother-Son Dance Songs—Plus, How to Choose a Tune for Your Own Meaningful Moment with Mom 58 of 62 Midas Touch Edyta Szyszlo The bridesmaids at this at-home Kentucky wedding sparkled in gold-sequined mini dresses. "I wanted my girls to have fun," the bride said of the choice. The other woman who also had fun? Her mom, who similarly sparkled in a gold silk dupioni floor-length skirt suit. 59 of 62 Something Borrowed Rylee Hitchner Carrie Crowell had come across the silk dress that her mom, country singer Rosanne Cash, wore at her 1995 wedding to Carrie's stepfather. "I said right then I would wear it one day," she recalled. "I love the tradition of generations of women in the same wedding gown." 60 of 62 Winning Number Leila Brewster Photography For this romantic wedding at Brooklyn's Wythe Hotel, the bride's mother selected a short-sleeved, full-length teal dress. "She bought it on a whim and ended up winning," the bride said. 61 of 62 Dream Date Elizabeth Messina Photography A dream dress doesn't have to be for the bride alone. To make hers, mom JoJo Cohen turned to her close friend, the late designer L'Wren Scott. Her mother, Rita, opted for this champagne-hued gown that was equally as ethereal. 62 of 62 Fit for a Queen Corbin Gurkin "We wanted to whisk away our guests into a fairy tale," this bride said about her intimate destination wedding at an 18th-century palace on the cliffs of Positano. For her, that included a couture Karen Sabag ball gown fit for a princess. For her mother, it involved a beaded silver dress fit for a queen. 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