When you typically think of mother-of-the-bride or groom attire, it's common for your mind to immediately ruminate on your clothes and nothing else (after all, what you wear as the mom is essential to the celebration). But while finding a dress or pantsuit is extremely important, a full wedding day outfit is more than just the garments you choose to wear.
From lace pumps to tennis bracelets and evening clutches, accessoriesplay a crucial role in pulling together a mother-of-the-bride and groom outfit. These pieces have the ability to make or break a look, and also serve as a way for moms to truly showcase their personality and style on the big day. Therefore, given the importance associated with accessories, it's essential to not only understand how to accuratelyincorporate these pieces into your ensemble, but to also be aware of the mistakes you should avoid when wearing these add-ons.
So ahead, we listed the top five mother-of-the-bride and groom accessory mistakes you should never make when choosing a look for your child's wedding.
How to Choose Accessories for Your Mother-of-the-Bride Dress
Not wearing any jewelry.
This may not come as a huge surprise, but one of the biggest accessory mistakes you can make is forgetting to wear any accessories at all. It's a universal fact that jewelry has the ability to transform an outfit, so, unless avoided for personal or religious reasons, be sure to take advantage of these stylish add-ons and wear a few pieces of jewelry that complement your look.
For moms who may be a little lost when it comes to finding accessories that work with their day-of attire, use your ensemble as a baseline and layer on your pieces from there. For instance, if you're planning to wear a halterneck dress, opt for a simple bracelet and diamond stud earrings to complete your getup. Donning a strapless ballgown? A gorgeous tennis necklace and chandelier earrings would work well with this formal frock.
Wearing too many pieces.
While accessories should be worn with every outfit, always be mindful of the number of pieces you choose to wear. Oftentimes, less is more—as most outfits don't require you to wear multiple necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and rings—so use your best judgment when deciding on jewelry that works best for you.
A good rule of thumb to follow is to stick to only two to three pieces of jewelry for your wedding day ensemble.Specifically, if you'd like to wear a diamond necklace, pair it with gorgeous diamond earrings and a simple ring and leave your wrists bare. Ultimately, the choice is yours when it comes to what you'd like to wear, but be sure to not let any of your accessories overpower your overall look.
Forgetting to carry a purse.
We believe that purses are one of the most important accessories when it comes to wedding day attire. Whether it's a small bag or a mini clutch, these pieces are both practical and stylish, providing two positive benefits for their use. Therefore, don't leave your purse at home. Find a handbag that complements your outfit, and pack it with essentials like your lipstick, phone, tissues, cash, and maybe even a change of shoes.
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Wearing bridal accessories.
Unless approved by the bride, avoid any bridal accessories like tiaras, veils, and statement hairpieces. Even if these accessories look perfect with your day-of attire, your role is to support and not take any attention away from the couple, so ditch the bridal pieces for another day. Additionally, when in doubt, do not hesitate to ask the bride for approval on any of your jewelry choices.
Forgetting to bring a change of shoes.
If you're planning to wear high heels for the wedding ceremony, don't make the mistake of forgetting to bring an extra pair of shoes. The last thing you want is to be uncomfortable and unfit to dance at the reception, so pack your most comfortable footwear before heading out to see your child say "I do." As for specifics, you can sport anything from flats to a nice pair of sneakers and even flip-flops. Trust us, this mistake is one you do not want to make.
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FAQs
Can the mother of the bride wear white? Unless you've received approval from the couple, it's best to steer clear from white, ivory or champagne hues as not to take attention away from the bride.
What shouldn't the mother of the bride wear? ›
Can the mother of the bride wear white? Unless you've received approval from the couple, it's best to steer clear from white, ivory or champagne hues as not to take attention away from the bride.
Can the mother of the bride carry a purse? ›
As the mother of the bride, you might be asked to hold many of the brides' trinkets and larger things like shoes. For that, we recommend a medium sized handbag such as the BRYANT MED or ADDIE MED.
What colors should the mother of the bride not wear? ›
There are certain colours that the mother of the bride should not wear. Unless otherwise instructed, is to never wear white or any colour close to what the bride has chosen to wear. Other standard colours to avoid include ivory, white and champagne. Another colour to avoid is black.
How do I make my mother of the bride stand out? ›
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.
Should the mother of the bride wear a jacket? ›
A fitted jacket is the perfect finishing touch to any mother-of-the-bride look – throw it over a smart floral dress or pair with simple black trousers and a fail-safe pastel blouse. Alternatively, opt for a flattering tea-length dress or an elegant top with longer sleeves.
Should mother of the bride wear hair up or down? ›
Updos are a mother-of-the-bride hairstyle favorite for a reason: they're timeless, they frame your face and they work with a wide variety of dress styles. Whether it's a beautiful braided bun, an elegant chignon or an updo with a few wispy tendrils, you really can't go wrong.
What is the etiquette for a mother of the bride to wear? ›
As a general rule, the mother of the bride should shy away from choosing the same colour dress as bridesmaids. However, it should still compliment the style of the bridesmaid's dresses. It can be a different style from theirs, but the hues should feel cohesive.
What is the most popular color for mother of the bride? ›
Typically the Mother of the Bride's dress should complement the bridal party's color palette. Not necessarily match with the bridesmaids, but choose a color in the color family. The most popular color for the mother of the bride to wear is navy or a royal blue, followed by blush or a shade of nude.
Can mother of bride and mother of groom wear the same color? ›
Traditionally, the mother of the bride has been the first to choose her dress. The color of the mother of the groom's dress should complement, but not match it. This is easier than it sounds because no two hues are exactly alike. To augment the distinction, you can choose different accessories.
These days, virtually anything goes—formal gown, short or long dress, skirt-and-jacket ensemble—so long as it matches the style of the wedding. Brides can be very helpful by encouraging "the moms" to work together in choosing their outfits.
Who walks with the mother of the bride in a wedding? ›
If the mother of the bride is taking part in the wedding processional, she is traditionally escorted by a close male relative like a son or brother or may enter alone. If the parents are divorced, she may be escorted by her partner. In some cases, a groomsman or best man will escort her down the aisle.
Does the mother of the bride give her daughter a gift? ›
Typically, yes. The mother of the bride usually gives a special gift to the bride on the wedding day. This is often something sentimental like a piece of jewelry, a handkerchief, or a photo album.
How do I make my mother of the bride feel special? ›
1. Wear a keepsake of hers.
- Give a Special Gift. ...
- Get Ready Together. ...
- Take a first look picture. ...
- Pin on The Groom's boutonniere. ...
- Coordinate With the Bridal Party. ...
- shout Her out in the program. ...
- Have her perform a reading. ...
- Set aside mother-daughter time.
So, try not to do anything that may upstage or upset the bride. This means not trying to steal the show or the photographer. So, make sure you avoid drinking too much and don't take the photographer away from shooting the wedding to take pictures of yourself.
How to look good as a mother of the bride? ›
While there aren't any special rules for mother-of-the-bride glam, moms should try and stick with a look that is elegant, understated, and appropriate. As for where to get ready, if the bride prefers to get glammed up with just the bridesmaids, don't get offended.
Should the mother of the bride get her makeup done? ›
Yes and no. This is a personal choice and depends on your circ*mstances. If a trial will help you feel more relaxed on the big day, though, go for it! “Mothers that have done trials with me are unquestionably more confident and at ease on the day of the wedding,” says Evans.
What color is the mother of the bride's dress supposed to be? ›
When the bridal party wears yellows, oranges, and other summery colors, the mother of the bride should choose metallic hues to complement them. Her dress should be in mid-tone browns with neutrals such as pewter, gold, silver, navy blue, black, and taupe.
Is it OK for mother of the bride to wear floral? ›
Dark florals in heavy fabrics can be worn during the cold weather months, while light, pastel florals in chiffon and similar breezy fabrics tend to work best during the spring and summer. If you're the mother of the bride or groom, you should certainly considering wearing a floral dress to the big day.
Do mother of the bride and mother of the groom 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.
The mothers' dresses don't have to match (unless that's what the bride wants), but they should complement each other.
