Guide to Picking Mother of the Bride Outdoor Wedding Attire (2024)

WHAT SHOULD THE MOTHER OF THE BRIDE WEAR TO AN OUTDOOR WEDDING?

From dress code to best dressed, here’s your guide to suitable mother of the bride outdoor wedding attire


Planning your mother of the bride outdoor wedding attire is much more complicated than choosing an outfit for a traditional wedding indoors. The most obvious consideration, of course, is the weather—but there’s also a wider range of wedding venues and outdoor wedding types. A beach wedding requires a different approach from a garden party, for instance, and that’s not even factoring in if the bride and groom opt for a theme. Here are a few types of outdoor weddings, and what to wear to each.

WHAT SHOULD THE MOTHER OF THE BRIDE WEAR TO A BEACH WEDDING?


Generally speaking, a beach wedding tends to be less formal than a city hall or church wedding, so appropriate mother of the bride outdoor wedding attire includes dresses that have a slightly beachy vibe—in print, fabric, or cut. Rather than a sheath dress, for example, choose a more fluid piece with a looser silhouette that’s made from a breathable material. A printed, beaded kaftan or maxi dress with skinny straps are good, stylish options for the mother of the bride.


What’s more, if you know the wedding ceremony is going to be held in the sand, be sure to wear sandals or flats that won’t get stuck—and choose a dress or jumpsuit that looks good with them. The same goes for your accessories: when it comes to styling a dress for an outdoor beach wedding, the key is to pick pieces that match the formality and mood of the rest of your attire.

WHAT SHOULD THE MOTHER OF THE BRIDE WEAR TO A GARDEN WEDDING?


Garden weddings are more formal than beach weddings but usually still more casual than an indoor occasion. For an outdoor garden wedding, a printed, fitted dress, a dress with mid-length or long sleeves, or even a beaded co*cktail dress is appropriate attire for the mother of the bride.


Again, do try and find out what the ground will be like. Will there be outdoor carpet laid out, or will the reception be hosted in an area that’s paved? Or will you be trudging through the grass? These are key considerations when deciding on footwear for your mother of the bride attire: like a beach wedding, you’ll want to avoid stilettos or sharp heels that could get stuck in the grass, but chances are, you’ll be able to style your ensemble with block-heeled sandals or shoes, as well as accessories and jewelry that might otherwise look out of place outdoors.

WHAT SHOULD THE MOTHER OF THE BRIDE WEAR TO A RUSTIC WEDDING OUTDOORS?


Like a garden wedding, there’s a range of appropriate attire options for a rustic, outdoors wedding. Depending on whether there’s a specific inspiration or theme—is it rustic Mediterranean, for instance? Or more rustic Mexican?— The mother of the bride should dress the part. Wide-leg trousers and a silk top are good options if you know the couple have chosen a rustic, Italian riviera theme, while a midi dress or even a skirt and blouse ensemble will look stylish and fit in perfectly if the couple has gone for a rustic farmhouse vibe.

THREE OF THE BEST MOTHER OF THE BRIDE OUTDOOR WEDDING OUTFITS

Guide to Picking Mother of the Bride Outdoor Wedding Attire (1)
Shop our beaded dresses!

Short-Sleeve Hand-Beaded Long V-Neck Gown in Vintage Blue


Perfect for garden weddings and rustic outdoors weddings that have a slightly more upscale, formal vibe, this hand-beaded gown is a stunning attire option for the mother of the bride. Delicate pleats and a slight fit-and-flare shape offer ease of movement, while a beaded bodice is elegant and means this dress requires little in terms of accessories: just strappy heels will do. .

Guide to Picking Mother of the Bride Outdoor Wedding Attire (2)
Shop our draped chiffon dresses!

Printed Metallic Chiffon Draped Gown With Flutter Sleeves in Pink Multi


With its flowing silhouette and easy, lightweight fabrication, this maxi dress with a soft, shimmering watercolour pattern is the perfect mother of the bride attire for an outdoor beach wedding. Flutter sleeves and a flattering v-neckline keep the look modern—just add gold earrings or a pendant necklace and finish with high, metallic sandals.

Guide to Picking Mother of the Bride Outdoor Wedding Attire (3)
Shop our sequin lace dresses!

Floral Sequin Boho Gown with Lace Up Flutter Short Sleeves in Olive


Depending on the venue, this gown is a stylish the mother of the bride attire choice for a rustic outdoors wedding. While too much beading and sequins can feel out of place outdoors, this piece features sheer detailing, soft florals and flutter short sleeves, with self-tie laces that feel slightly undone and nonchalant. Add heels and style your hair in loose waves—perhaps pinned back with a sparkling hair pin—to complete the look.


Need help with your other mother of the bride outfits and responsibilities? Check out our other mother of the bride guides below:

  • Mother of the Bride Dress Trends
  • How to Take Care of Your Mother of the Bride Dress
  • Mother of the Bride Wedding Responsibilities
  • Mother of the Bride Rehearsal Dinner Attire
Guide to Picking Mother of the Bride Outdoor Wedding Attire (2024)

FAQs

What type of dress should the mother of the bride wear to a beach wedding? ›

Floral dresses have always been a beloved choice for mother of the bride attire, and they hold a special allure when it comes to beach weddings. Embracing the beauty of nature, floral prints exude femininity and grace, perfectly complementing the seaside ambiance.

What colour should mother of the bride wear in summer? ›

Try mid-tone browns, neutrals, and metallics such as taupe, champagne, or gold. These palettes can feel either tropical or autumnal. Either way, Mum can carry the warmth of the colours through to her look. Try lighter shades for warm temperatures and darker tones for cool weather.

What color dress should the mother of the bride not wear? ›

The MOTB can wear any color she wants, but it's better to avoid certain colors such as white, ivory, or champagne tones as they're considered bridal colors and may take attention away from the bride.

What is proper attire for an outdoor wedding? ›

Florals are an obvious choice to satisfy a garden dress code, but the attire can be less formal than black tie. "A garden party dress code suggests some level of formality without needing to break out a tux or gown," says Hurwitz. "I'd suggest a knee-length or midi dress, a jumpsuit, or a suit.

What should the mother of the bride not wear to the wedding? ›

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.

Should the mother of the bride wear a short or long dress? ›

A: The Mother of the Bride needs to coordinate with the Mother of the Groom and decide whether they will be wearing long or short dresses, but both are acceptable.

What is the most popular colour 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.

Should mother of the bride 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? ›

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.

What should a mother wear to her daughter's wedding? ›

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.

Can the mother of the bride wear same color as bridesmaids? ›

No, the mother of the bride doesn't need to match the bridesmaids or the wedding party in general. The bride may prefer to have corresponding colors for a cohesive look, but it ultimately comes down to personal preference.

What is the dress code for the mother of the bride? ›

For the mother of the bride, go for the most special co*cktail dress or gown you can find. Just like white tie, you would expect to see the dress code black tie for an evening wedding.

What does dressy casual mean for an outdoor wedding? ›

In short, dress casual isn't quite the same as business casual because there's a little more formality expected. But it also teeters around the semi-formal designation, with the code perhaps suggesting something a touch more casual for an event like a daytime wedding.

Can a woman wear pants to an outdoor wedding? ›

Pants are totally acceptable. Here are some ways to wear pants to a wedding with confidence.

What should a female guest wear to an outdoor wedding? ›

When it comes to comfort on a hot summer day (especially if the celebration is outside), a casual dress code is ideal. But don't forget this is an important event. Showing up in shorts and a T-shirt is not a good idea. Pretty, flowy dresses paired with sandals works for women.

What should I wear to my daughters beach wedding? ›

A dress, suit, or jumpsuit all work for women to wear to a beach formal wedding. Opt for solid, lighter colors (avoiding black, cream, and white) and breathable fabrics. To up the elegance factor, consider sumptuous fabrics like lace and tulle, both of which are light and airy but have an upscale vibe.

What is the best color to wear to a beach wedding? ›

Light blue, turquoise, coral, yellow, etc., are all fantastic colours to pair with it. There is no more stunning sight than a group of bridesmaids all dressed in the same hue. Those hues are perfect for a seaside ceremony. You're free to mix and match colours from the provided palette to find the perfect fit.

What is the dress code for a beach wedding? ›

Guests should opt for lightweight and breathable fabrics, such as cotton or linen, in light and neutral colors. Flowy dresses or skirts for women and linen pants or khakis with a button-down shirt for men are suitable options for beach wedding attire.

What style of wedding dress is best for a beach wedding? ›

Style and Formality

When selecting a wedding dress for a beach wedding, consider opting for effortless silhouettes that reflect the laid-back ambiance of the beach. A-line, sheath, and empire waist dresses are great options, as they offer a relaxed and graceful look.

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