BRIDAL GURU / Jun 13, 2022

WHAT COLOR SHOULD THE MOTHER OF THE BRIDE WEAR: HOW TO COMPLEMENT THE WEDDING’S COLOR SCHEME

The question on every mother's mind once her daughter becomes engaged is: What color does the mother of the bride wear?

First things first, you should not wear the same color as your daughter. (Typically, this means white.) While this may seem obvious, we had to say it.

Beyond that, you have a lot of options. You can wear the same color as the bridal party or a lighter or darker shade. If you don't want to be matchy-matchy, you can choose a mother-of-the-bride dress that complements the wedding color scheme. (And we'll help you identify those colors below.)

No matter which route you choose, you need to know the color scheme first, so it's best to wait until your daughter decides on one.

While you wait, let's get the wheels turning. Let's talk about five color schemes that are hot this season—and take a look at mothers of the bride dresses that match!

1. Blue or Green color scheme

Recently, we researched this year's trendiest hues for wedding color schemes, and among them were periwinkle blue, sage green, and mint green.

If your daughter also chooses one of these on-trend shades, then here are the best colors for your mother of the bride dress:

• ➤   Blues, like navy
• ➤   Greens, like emerald
• ➤   Purples, like eggplant and plum
• ➤   Grays, like charcoal
• ➤   Metallics, like silver, gold, and champagne

For mother-of-the-bride dresses, we love chiffon because it adds an airy feel to your look. If you're looking for some coverage, mesh sleeves are a great option. (Not to mention they're subtly sexy.)

2. Yellow or Orange color scheme

Yellow and orange are also very popular wedding color schemes. These palettes are super versatile. For summer and spring weddings, the bride and groom may opt for lighter and bright shades. For fall weddings, they may choose a darker color, like terracotta.

Either way, you can carry the warmth of these hues in your mother of the bride dress. What colors do we recommend?

• ➤   Mid-tone browns, like cinnamon
• ➤   Neutrals, like stone, taupe, or black
• ➤   Metallics, like champagne, gold, and silver

If you're feeling fancy, we love gold mother of the bride dresses. They truly work for any season—and totally match a yellow or orange color scheme. Embrace this regal color by choosing a dress with decadent embroidery. When else can you rock such a dress?

3. Pink or Coral color scheme

Pink and coral color schemes are perfect for spring and summer weddings—they're light and playful. But what color should a mother of the bride wear?

Instead of going the traditional route of pastels, we recommend rocking deeper, earthier shades:

• ➤   Grays, like charcoal
• ➤   Browns, like mocha
• ➤   Reds, like ruby
• ➤   Greens, like emerald
• ➤   Metallics, like gold, and silver

Our personal favorite? We love the charcoal trend. In a sea of light dresses, you'll make a statement as the bride's mother. Bonus points if you choose a dress with silver floral embroidery. (Floral mother of the bride dresses are never a bad idea!)

4. Purple color scheme

Purple color schemes are on the rise. We're seeing lots of lilac, lavender, and iris for spring and summer weddings and darker shades like eggplant and plum for fall and winter weddings.

So what color should you wear? You can rock a purple shade as well, or you can wear:

• ➤   Grays, like charcoal
• ➤   Neutrals, like black or taupe
• ➤   Metallics, like silver, and gold

For this color scheme, you should feel comfortable indulging in this rich and regal palette. Another way to dial up the glam is through the fabric you choose. Satin is a glossy and lustrous material that drapes beautifully over the body. Don't forget to finish your look with some gold or silver jewelry!

5. Neutral color scheme

If your daughter's wedding color scheme is a neutral shade, like stone, taupe, or champagne, you're in luck! The color of your mother of the bride dress can be anything!

Any color can complement a neutral wedding theme. You can go bright and bold, opt for a pattern, or choose a neutral dress.

Better yet, you can wear a neutral-colored dress with a bold pattern! Embroidery can jazz up a dress in many different ways. Depending on the pattern, it can even create a slimming effect! To really accentuate your curves, choose a mermaid or trumpet-style gown. Va-va-voom!

Ready to find your mother of the bride dress?

If you're still on the hunt for the perfect gown, take a look at our full catalog of mother of the bride dresses. Once you know your daughter's color scheme, you can filter through our catalog based on the color you're looking for.