Mother-of-the-Bride Dresses That Wowed at Weddings (2024)

We've always heard that mother knows best, and if these mothers of the bride—and mothers of the groom!—are any indication, that adage rings true, especially when it comes to their own wedding style.

Whether the celebration is black-tie formal or beachy cool, these sophisticated, polished dresses are proof that the mother of the bride knows how to pull together a pretty incredible look for their daughter's nuptials. Plus, with all the time she's likely invested in the big day (and so many other days leading up to it!), she certainly deserves to look and feel her absolute best.

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Blue Hue

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This mom sported a navy dress with floral-like embellishments as she escorted her daughter down the aisle.

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Think Green

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After creating her daughter's mermaid silhouette wedding dress, complete with ivory tulle, floral applique, beading, and an off-the-shoulder tulle overlay, the bride's mother donned a green, floor-length gown with delicate beading.

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Floral Details

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Stunning pops of pink and purple florals covered the bottom of the mother-of-the-bride's gown. The flower details also accented the dress in more muted hues towards the top of it.

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Floor-Length Sequins

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The bride's mom donned a black sequin gown for the big day, including a matching cover-up and clutch.

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Champagne-Colored Flowers

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This bride's mom escorted her down the aisle in a floor-length golden gown with a floral overlay.

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All About Illusion Necklines

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Both the mother of the bride and the mother of the groom chose striking gowns with embellishment and illusion necklines for this outdoor celebration.

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Color-Coordinated Choker

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A matching white choker topped off this mother-of-the-bride's look, which was also complemented by a chic low bun.

See More Must-Copy Mother-of-the-Bride Hairstyles

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Lacey Sari

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This proud mother wore a traditional and ornate lace sari and accessorized with bright statement jewelry.

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Short and Sweet

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This mom's knee-length patterned dress perfectly matched the mood of her child's outdoor wedding venue.

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A Traditional Look

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A patterned magenta "gele," a traditional Nigerian head tie, and matching sash ensured that this mother of the bride stood out beside her daughter.

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Stylish Jumpsuit

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For the mom who likes to look put together and modern, a jumpsuit in slate gray is sure to wow.

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Delicate Details

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This mother of the bride donned a beautiful light gray gown with an illusion neckline brimming with beautiful beaded detailing.

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Shades of Blue

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For her daughter's art-filled Washington, D.C., wedding, this mother of the bride (left), donned a quirky, multi-patterned Oscar de la Renta gown. The bride's aunt was just as fashionable in a Reem Acra number with lace and sheer ruffles.

Go Inside This Gorgeous Art-Inspired Wedding

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Ankle-Skimming

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The champagne colored ankle-length wrap dress looks stunning on this mother of the bride.

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Beautifully Traditional

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This bride's mother donned a gorgeous sari for her daughter's wedding. The entire look was the perfect match for the couple's tradition-filled day.

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Mother of the Bride in Blue

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This mom chose a royal blue gown with an illusion neckline and a floral overlay for a striking big-day look.

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Wrapped Lace

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This mom also wore Nigerian attire, and paired her lace wrap dress with a chartreuse gele.

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Wildflower Embroidery

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Pink anemones and blue and yellow wildflower buds accented this pretty black dress worn by the mother of the bride.

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Blushing Beauties

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One mom's blush attire looked beautiful against these two brides' romantic wedding dresses.

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Subtle Sparkle

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The beaded metallic tassels on this glimmering gown really came into play when this mom took the dance floor.

Love Tassels? Add Them to Your Wedding Décor

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Pink Bow

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A voluminous looped bow brought major drama to a structured magenta number worn by the mother of the bride.

Discover More Wedding Dresses with Bow Details

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Blue Buds

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In a cerulean gown with 3D florettes, this beaming mom was her daughter's something blue.

More Unique Ideas for Your "Something Blue"

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Floral Hanbok

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This mom wore a traditional hanbok with floral and geometric embroidery to her daughter's California ranch wedding.

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Slate Gray

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From the trumpet cut to the swirled-lace embroidery and the sheer bow at the back, this mom's slate gown was all about the details.

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Green Trumpet

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We loved how this mom's green satin gown subtly matched the shape of her daughter's lace wedding dress.

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Scoop Neckline

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A dainty necklace prettily mimicked the scoop neckline on her blush pink dress.

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Powder Blue

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With cap sleeves and an illusion neckline, this fitted blue beauty was perfect for this D.C. wedding's hostess.

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Peachy Sari

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Peach, crimson, and gold brought punchy color to a traditional Indian sari.

Learn About More Indian Wedding Customs

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Jade Lace

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With palm leaf décor and lots of vines, green was a main theme throughout this charming and colorful South Carolina celebration. The bride's mother clearly had the color palette in mind when she chose this jade lace dress.

Our Favorite Ways to Use Greenery and Vines on Your Wedding Day

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Strapless and Pink

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Her strapless and blush pink gown, with textured floral details and an embellished belt, had this mom smiling from ear to ear.

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Illusion Beading

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For blogger Jenny Bernheim's fancy rehearsal dinner, her mother wore a Carmen Marc Valvo dress, complete with a beaded illusion cut-out.

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Pink Print

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The best part of this punchy gown wasn't the colorful rose print—it was the pockets!

The Prettiest Wedding Dresses with Pockets

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Embellished Cream

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Sweet beading and a subtle side slit brought intrigue to this neutral number.

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Whimsical in White

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This mother of the bride wore a white tunic and skirt for a boho-chic ensemble.

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Checked

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A navy cut-out overlay added a cool geometric pattern to a blush pink skirt.

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Vintage Embroidery

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The mother of the bride's Oscar de la Renta gown was such a hit, it actually inspired the bridesmaids' bouquets. "Not by accident," added bride Madelyn.

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Punchy Red Lace

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A red lace Erdem dress, embroidered with pink and crimson blooms, paired perfectly with this fashionable mom's half-up, half-down hairstyle.

Half-Up, Half-Down Wedding Hairstyles We Love

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Black Tie Fashion

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Isn't a smile the best accessory? This glammed up mother of the bride looked absolutely amazing in a black gown with a V-neckline and knee-high slit as she headed down the aisle before the bride's processional.

Everything You Need to Know About Processional Order

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Heavenly Halter

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This mother of the bride escorted her daughter down the aisle in a light blue stunning halter dress.

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Sophisticated Style

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How sweet is this stolen mother-daughter moment? This mom's gown featured a striped off-the-shoulder neckline that was a beautiful complement to the bride's own wedding dress.

Brides Wearing Off-the-Shoulder Wedding Dresses

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Golden Girl

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A gold and cream gown (paired with statement-making gold earrings) looked great on this mother of the groom as she and her son swayed to Louis Armstrong's "What a Wonderful World."

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Aqua and Gold Sari

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An aquamarine sari, embroidered with gold florals, looked lovely with a lei.

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Neutral Chic

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The mother of the bride and the mother of the groom both looked extra lovely on the big day, beaming together in their neutral dresses.

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Off-the-Shoulder

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A folded off-the-shoulder bodice floor-length gown is a luxe choice for a black-tie affair.

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Like Mother, Like Daughter

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For the formal Southern garden wedding of Susan Sarandon's oldest child, Eva Amurri, the actress turned to designer Lela Rose to make a knee-length charcoal dress that complemented the bride's with a similar lace neckline.

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Role-Model Mom

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"When it comes to fashion," the bride Annie said, "I look up to my mom," who wore a traditional hanbok to the black-tie garden party at Beverly Hills's Greystone Mansion.

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Dashing Duo

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The best-dressed couple at this easygoing outdoor celebration in Athens, Georgia, was the bride and groom. But this pair also earned the distinction. The groom's dad donned a Jos. A. Bank suit, and his mother chose a floral dress in a complementary color.

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Beautiful in Brocade

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This mother-of-the-groom's shimmery brocade sleeveless dress with a draped neckline suited every part of this Pebble Beach fête, including the mother-son dance to Josh Groban's "You Raise Me Up."

Mother-Son Wedding Dance Song Ideas We Love

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Midas Touch

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The bridesmaids at this at-home Kentucky wedding sparkled in gold-sequined mini dresses. "I wanted my girls to have fun," the bride said of the choice. The other woman who also had fun? Her mom, who similarly sparkled in a gold silk dupioni floor-length skirt suit.

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Something Borrowed

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Carrie Crowell had come across the silk dress that her mom, country singer Rosanne Cash, wore at her 1995 wedding to Carrie's stepfather. "I said right then I would wear it one day," she recalled. "I love the tradition of generations of women in the same wedding gown." She adorned the back of the gown and the headpiece with fabric flowers for her big day—similar ones embellished the waistline of Rosanne's own long ensemble.

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Winning Number

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For this romantic wedding at Brooklyn's Wythe Hotel, the bride's mother selected a short-sleeved, full-length teal dress. "She bought it on a whim and ended up winning," the bride said.

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Dream Date

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A dream dress doesn't have to be for the bride alone. To make hers, mom JoJo Cohen turned to her close friend, the late designer L'Wren Scott. Her mother, Rita, opted for this champagne-hued gown that was equally as ethereal.

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Fit for a Queen

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"We wanted to whisk away our guests into a fairy tale," this bride said about her intimate destination wedding at an 18th-century palace on the cliffs of Positano. For her, that included a couture Karen Sabag ball gown fit for a princess. For her mother, it involved a beaded silver dress fit for a queen.