Nov 24, 2008 Denise Oliveri

Choosing a mother of the bride dress can be a daunting task. You want to look stylish, complement your figure, but also blend in with the bridal party. Since pictures will stay around for years to come there are some definite dos and don’ts to choosing an appropriate dress.

Blend with the Bridal Party

Since most mothers will be seen throughout the wedding, either during pictures or when helping with the unity candle, the dress chosen needs to blend into the wedding party. The dress should never be the exact same color as the bridesmaids, but should go with the party colors rather than standing out. For example, if the bridal party is wearing emerald green dresses, your dress should be a lighter shade of green; almost a mint green. You might also consider co-ordinating with the bride of the, since you will be sharing many photos together.

Mother of the Bride Dress No-No’s

There are some definite no-nos when choosing a dress. White is off limits. Only the bride should be in white or even off white. In the pictures, the bride should stand out when surrounded by her family and husband who are wearing colored garments.

Never wear black. No matter how much you dislike your new son-in-law or how slimming it is, black makes a completely negative statement. Even dark shades of brown can be detrimental to the occasion. This is true whether it is a first-time wedding for your daughter or subsequent.

How to Find a Mother of the Bride Dress

There are many styles to choose from, especially with new fashions coming available all the time. Consider looking through magazines for tips or input on dresses. Also be sure to ask your daughter what she pictures you wearing. After all, this is her special day, and she may have a vision of what she wants her wedding party to look like, including you. You might even consider shopping with your daughter, since many dresses look different in person than in pictures. This can be such a fun outing for the both of you.