We’ve had a special request for a FabList of Mother-of-the-Groom (which also works as Mother-of-the-Bride) dresses! What to wear on this very special day when your child is getting married is a big decision! We know you aren’t the ‘star of the show’, but of course, you want to look and feel your best on such a special occasion.
Before you choose a dress, be sure you communicate with your daughter/daughter-in-law to make sure you understand the vibe of the event, what direction they have given the bridal party for attire (you don’t want to look like a bridesmaid, nor do you want to clash with them), and any preference they may have for your attire (length, color, solid vs pattern etc). You want to make sure that the overall look of the event is coordinated, both for the day of and for the photos that will last a lifetime! It may also be nice to have a conversation with the other mother/mother-in-law to make sure you are both on the same wavelength (or dress-length!), that you don’t clash, and that you don’t choose the same color/style/dress. Overall, it is essential that you feel good in what you wear, that you can walk and dance effortlessly in your shoes, and that you can forget about the dress (ie, nothing that needs constant adjustments) and enjoy the event!
Also, we recommend sourcing your dress from a retailer that has a good return policy and free shipping, if possible. Mothers-of-the-bride/groom have been known to purchase/return many dresses before ‘the one’ is found, and the last thing you want to be doing is haggling with a retailer over return policies or paying a fortune in shipping/return fees.
We started out to pull a few looks in a variety of styles and price points, but there were so many good ones we had to add a few more. We realized that we’d love to wear any of these to a wedding as a guest as well. So have a look at them as potential mother-of-the-groom/bride options, but also as wedding guest options!
ALC: ALC has many fabulous gowns! A few of our favorites:
- Piper Satin Dress: This one-shoulder neckline and intricate ruching along the waist create an elegant, flattering silhouette.
- Inez Satin Gown: This dress, with its full-length gown, features a draped mock neck and body-skimming fit with ruched detailing at the hip for a flattering effect.
Miss Rosier Official: This brand has beautiful dresses at beautiful prices. We especially like the following:
- Flower Embellished Dress: Simple, elegant, and stunning with its appliqué flowers and a bow at the back of the neck. Under $200!
- Veronique: If you’re having a garden wedding, this is perfection! We know you may stand out a bit…but isn’t it a fun one! Or for the rehearsal dinner instead?
Photo Credit: Retailer/Manufacturer
Donna Karan One-Shoulder Bow Embellished Ball Gown: This is available in black or red and is a classic for a more formal event.
Reformation Winslow Dress: This dress is elegantly beautiful for an outdoor or garden wedding. Available in different patterns/colors. It’s one of their top sellers as it’s flattering on many different shapes.
Over The Moon Sashi & Babi Marta Gown: We’re ‘over the moon’ for this dress (pun intended)! So flattering and beautiful.
Staud: Staud has some solid selections for wedding options!
Photo Credit: Retailer/Manufacturer
- Araya Dress: Available in a few colors, simple ,and elegant.
- Albee Floral: This comes in a couple of colorways and is also so simply elegant!
- Maxi Marlowe: The bow at the back of the neck makes the dress!
Mac Duggal dresses are so beautiful… with or without sleeves, long or short, and totally age-appropriate. Look through them all, but here are a couple in particular that we love.
- Embellished Butterfly Fly Sleeve Gown – Beautiful for a formal wedding.
- High Neck Chiffon Gown: The beauty comes in three color options.
- Short-Sleeved Boucle Dress – Timeless.
- V-Neck 3/4 Sleeve: For that black-tie wedding!
- Sleeveless Chiffon Micro-Ruffle: Just so beautiful.
Sachin & Babi has wonderful dress options, with an entire section dedicated to mother-of-the-bride/groom dresses. In addition to the regular filters (color, length, type of sleeve etc.) you can also sort by shape (A-Line, Empire Waist etc), which makes it really user-friendly and easy to find what works for your body type. A couple choices are below.
- This Maia gown in midnight is a wonderful option.
- Mae Gown is a good choice if you are looking for something with a pattern.
- Kennedy Gown – if you don’t mind standing out a bit more! We had to include it because it’s just such a ‘wow’ dress!
Tuckernuck is such a great resource for dresses of all types, at all price ranges!
- Tuckernuck Navy Dress: When you want to look great, but make sure the light shines more on the bride than on you.
- Pomander Place Soleil Gown. This beautiful $150 dress comes in black, but is also available in green, bright yellow, blue, and pink if you are up for color!
- The Clea Dress is simple, yet elegant, and flattering on many body shapes. Available in navy or black.
- The Indigo Reflection Jamison Feather Dress is fun, with a twist of the feathers!
- Erdem: Another for when budget isn’t a concern!
Theia: This is a class you can wear at the wedding and to many other events for years to come.
Kay Unger Ina Cocktail Dress: So pretty, with a flattering shape.
Kay Under Brigid Floral Cocktail Dress: Who wouldn’t look lovely in this dress?!
‘S Max Mara: So luxe looking! Love this color.
Victoria Beckham: The color and drape are beautiful.
Tadashi Shoji has a ton of beautiful mother-of-the-bride/groom dresses, in both short and long options! This one offers simple gold elegance.
