Your child’s getting married! Whether you’re the mother of the bride or the mother of the groom, it’s a big day. And your outfit is probably at the forefront of your mind right now.
If you’re the mother of the bride, you’ve probably found plenty of options to browse already. But if you’re the mother of the groom, guidelines can be a little less clear.
But what is the difference between mother of the bride and mother of the groom dresses?
To try and make your wedding outfit shopping a little easier, we’ve put together some highlights that might help.
Shopping Schedules
Lots of mother of the bride (MOB) and mother of groom (MOG) dresses are very similar. Plus, the formality of the wedding will dictate how dressy you decide to go. However, one main difference between MOB and MOG shopping is timing.
Tradition states that the mother of the bride should choose first. We say, just keep communication open. As soon as you start to think about shopping, get together for a chat – or at least a phone call – and discuss your ideas. This way, you can both be considerate and make choices that will complement the bridal party AND one another. Or even better why not make arrangements to go shopping together?
CoordinateColour & Formality
Unless requested by the bride, you don’t want to match colours or match with the bridesmaids but coordination is key for chic photographs. Again, this will be something worth talking to the bride about. Maybe she envisions everyone in neutral tones. Maybe she’d prefer bold and bright. This should help to guide you.
Coordinating in formality is also important. If the mother of the bride chooses a very casual and relaxed look – no doubt approved by the bride – you probably don’t want to then choose something very formal and sparkly as the mother of the groom. Open communication will help to guide here – as well as the venue and time of year.
Can the mother of the groom wear a short dress if the mother of the bride wears long?
In short, yes. If the mother of the bride decides to wear long, this doesn’t mean you have to. Especially if you’re not comfortable in a full-length dress or outfit. However, make sure you choose something that coordinates with the formality of a long dress so that you don’t feel too casual.
What about Step-Mother of the Bride or Groom?
If you’re a stepmother of either the bride or the groom, you are equally an important part of the wedding party. You will likely wear a similar style and formality of dress as the mothers. If you can, communicate with the mothers in terms of styles, colours and formality.
And if this is difficult, ask for a little help from the bride when it comes to guidance.
Mother of The Groom Etiquette
If it’s your son’s big day and you’re not sure on the mother of the groom etiquette when it comes to dresses, these quick tips should help.
- Traditional etiquette says to let the mother of the bride choose her outfit first. At least call for a chat before you start to shop so you can discuss colours, brands, etc.
- Compliment but don’t match the bridesmaids and the mother of the bride.
- Simple is often better.
- Check with the bride if in doubt.
Mother of the bride dresses and mother of the groom dresses and outfits are the same, it's all down to individual style. Whether it’s a black-tie or a casual affair, the style rules for wedding party guest outfits are similar.
To ensure your shopping and styling experience runs smoothly, it’s best to keep both parties in the know. And grab a little advice from the bride if you’re not sure.
You’ll find our mother of the bride and groom dressesand outfits edited together in our latest collection.
FAQs
While mother-of-the-bride dresses are similar to mother-of-the-groom dresses, the moms don't need to match. Both are encouraged to wear outfits that represent their personal style. If the couple does prefer to have the moms wear complementary outfits, try to find colors or silhouettes that look great together.
Is mother of the bride more important than mother of the groom? ›
Traditionally, the role of the groom's mother is a little more limited than that of the mother of the bride. When it comes to involvement in wedding planning, it's usually at the discretion of the couple.
What color is the groom's mother supposed to wear? ›
The Best Colors for Mothers of the Groom to Consider
In general, jewel tones and earthy hues, like emerald green and burgundy, work well, in addition to universally flattering colors like black and navy. Valiente also adds, "Wear a flattering color that compliments the color palette of the wedding."
What colors do mother of bride and groom wear? ›
Can the mother of the bride and groom wear the same color? It's not necessary for the mothers of the bride and groom to match. The couple may prefer to have their moms wear complementary colors, though, in which case both are advised to discuss outfit ideas.
What does the mother of the groom pay for? ›
The groom's family traditionally paid for all costs associated with the rehearsal dinner and honeymoon, wedding day transportation, and the officiant. The groom paid for the bride's engagement ring, wedding ring, and groomsmen gifts. It is also common for the groom's family to pay for the alcohol at the reception.
Does the groom's mother give the bride a gift? ›
Typically, as per tradition, the mother of the groom will bring a gift for the bride to the bridal shower. It can be something small and thoughtful.
Does the mother of the bride wear the same color as the mother of the groom? ›
Unless the bride asks both Mothers to wear the same color, make sure you avoid wearing the same color on the occasion. The mother of the bride and the mother of the groom's outfits must complement each other, especially for photos. Another thing that you need to remember is the formality of the dress.
Who pays for mother of groom hair and makeup? ›
Who Pays for the Mother-of-the-Bride and Groom's Beauty Team? As with most beauty questions, there is no hard-and-fast rule. Some brides may offer to cover hair and makeup services in order to thank the wedding party for being a part of their special day.
Does the groom's mother get ready with the bride? ›
For starters, it is quite common for the groom's mom to be with the bride the morning of the wedding. "Most often times we see the mother of the groom getting ready with the mother of the bride in the bridal suite," says Manda Worthington, event planner, founder, and CEO of Mae&Co.
Who walks down the groom's mom? ›
As the wedding begins, the groom's mother will be escorted down the aisle, to the first pew, right-hand side, by the head usher or a groomsman who is a family member. A nice touch includes the groom escorting his mother down the aisle. As the groom's mother is escorted to her seat, her husband will follow along behind.
If the couple is planning to have a receiving line, the mother of the groom (along with the father of the groom) should stand in it after the couple. If there's no receiving line, you'll want to go table to table to greet guests and thank them for attending—even ones you don't know.
How much money should the groom's parents give? ›
It used to be that the role of the bridegroom's parents was restricted to hosting the rehearsal dinner and leading him down the aisle, but that is no longer the case. In a recent poll by wedding enthusiasts, the Groom's parents cover up to 24% of the wedding costs.
What does a mother do for her son on his wedding day? ›
You'll also most likely be expected to stand alongside the bride and mother of the bride to greet guests when they arrive, giving you the perfect chance to work your charm and really shine on your son's big day.
Who gives a bride something blue? ›
Specifically, “something borrowed” was preferably the undergarment from a woman who already had children, and “something blue” was typically a garter belt under the bride's dress, ideally sourced from a married woman or mother. The sixpence was traditionally given to the bride by her father to be placed in her shoe.
Can mother of groom and mother of bride wear the same color? ›
Because the mother of the groom isn't part of the bridal party, she should avoid choosing a dress in the same color as the bridesmaids' attire, the mother of the bride's dress, or the wedding gown.
Who should the mother of the bride match? ›
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.
What color should the mother of the groom not wear? ›
Traditionally, the mother of the groom should avoid wearing white, black, or the same colour as the bridal party.
Who is the mother of the bride supposed to match? ›
A: The Mother of the Bride is special. She needs to stand out a bit from the bridesmaids, so her dress should complement rather than match the bridesmaid's dresses. For example, the MOB could wear a dress in a similar color to the bridesmaids but in a deeper shade.
