Shopping for a mother of the bride dress is an exciting moment. But, if you’re looking for a gown in a specific color like champagne, the process can be a bit daunting. A mother of the bride dress should make a statement, but it also needs to blend in enough to support (and not overwhelm) the bride's overall look.
This is where the color palette steps in. “Even if the mother of the bride goes for a simple dress, she can take it up a notch by wearing a beautiful, luxurious color that compliments her skin and hair,” says Michael Cho, the head designer at Amsale. With its soft mix of peachy pink and gold, champagne is a warming color that plays up natural skin tones. It's a nice complement to white and cream, as well as other accent colors, so it works especially well with most wedding themes.
To help you find your dream mother of the bride dress, we searched high and low for the best options that work with a variety of body types, skin tones, and styles. We looked at the quality of fabric, construction, size range, fit, and style to determine which options offer the best value.
Read on for the best mother of the bride dresses.
Best Overall
Teri Jon Yvonne Dress
This off-the-shoulder gown is a timeless style that works in any season and most types of weddings. The dress itself is minimal in design but features some unexpected touches like a gorgeous twist detail on the neckline and a split collar on the back. It also shows off a slight shimmer, which makes it ideal for a candlelit evening soiree.
Who It's For
An elegant and stylish mother of the bride
Size Range: 2-16 | Length: Floor | Neckline: Off-the-shoulder | Materials: Polyester
Best Budget
Lulus Classic Elegance Blush Satin Sleeveless Mock Neck Maxi Dress
Lulus is a great place to find affordable formal gowns, and that includes mother of the bride dresses. In addition to four other colors, this sleek maxi dress comes in blush champagne with a subtle satin shine. The high-neck silhouette is the perfect style for fall and winter weddings, but would also be great for early spring. It looks expensive, but at under-$100, this dress will make a statement without breaking your budget.
Who It's For
The mother of the bride who wants a sleek dress with shine
Size Range: XS-3X | Length: Floor | Neckline: Mock neck | Materials: Polyester
Best for Black Tie
Retrofête Doss Dress
If the wedding is a black-tie event, this striking floor-length gown is an excellent pick. With a classic shape that flows beautifully in all the right places, this dress features a touch of ruching detail across the waist and a sexy high slit.
Who It's For
Anyone who loves elegant details and timeless style
Size Range: XXS-XL | Length: Floor | Neckline: Sweetheart | Materials: Polyester
Best for a Beach Wedding
BHLDN Leila Satin Charmeuse Maxi Dress
When it comes to beach weddings, you'll want a mother of the bride dress that feels effortless, but still looks dressed up and chic. We love this satin maxi dress because it has that laid-back beach feel and also is at a shorter length that's ideal for walking down a sandy aisle. The short flutter sleeves provide coverage while remaining loose and breezy. It also comes in an inclusive size range, with standard sizes 0 to 16 and plus sizes 16 to 26.
Who It's For
A mother of the bride who wants a stylish dress with a casual feel
Size Range: 0-26W | Length: Floor | Neckline: Plunge | Materials: Polyester
Best for Fall
Amsale Pryce Gown
Fall is a tricky season because depending on your location, days may be sweltering hot or super chilly. That’s where dresses with more transitional designs come in. We love this elegant column style because it's a more modest spin on an off-the-shoulder silhouette, which works well for unpredictable weather. It also has a draped neckline that extends to the elbows and a flowing skirt that helps to cover you up, while still allowing for airflow.
Who It's For
Anyone who wants an elegant and timeless dress
Size Range: 0-16 | Length: Floor | Neckline: Off-the-shoulder | Materials: Polyester
Best Slit
Shona Joy La Lune Bias Cowl Maxi Dress
We love this silky gown because it puts an elevated spin on a classic silhouette—the thigh-high slit gives it a dimensional feel while still being appropriate for any ceremony. The dress also boasts a gorgeous shine and stunning movement.
Who It's For
A mother of the bride who loves a slinky, alluring dress
Size Range: 2-10 | Length: Floor | Neckline: Cowl neck | Materials: Lenzing ecovero, viscose
Best for Winter
JJ’s House Evening Dress With Ruffle
Winter weddings call for mother-of-the-bride gowns with a little more coverage and dazzling detail. While this gorgeous dress isn't made of heavy material, the drapery and shimmering lace overlay give it a wintery feel. It comes in an inclusive size range, with both standard and plus sizes available. And, if you want a dress with a more personalized fit, you can also request custom sizing.
Who It's For
Anyone who loves a substantial gown with gorgeous embellishments
Size Range: 0-26W | Length: Floor | Neckline: Off-the-shoulder | Materials: Chiffon, sequins
Best Off-the-Shoulder
Oleg Cassini Stretch Metallic Jacquard Dress
This champagne jacquard gown from Oleg Cassini features off-the-shoulder sleeves and a stunning floor-length column silhouette. While many champagne dresses are made of satin or silk, we love that this dress has great texture and embellished accents. The jacquard print adds a lot of visual interest, without taking away from the design itself.
Who It's For
The mother of the bride who wants a classic off-the-shoulder gown
Size Range: 2-24W | Length: Floor | Neckline: Off-the-shoulder | Materials: Polyester
Best With Lace
La Femme Mother of the Bride Dress with Short Sleeves
Lace is one of our favorite bridal fabrics because it adds just the right amount of embellished elegance to any look. This stunning dress features a high neckline and a slightly flared column silhouette. The short sleeves also provide a bit of added coverage. A hidden tulle layer adds extra volume to the bottom, and the rhinestone accents give the dress extra sparkle. Also nice: if you purchase it from Nordstrom, you can have the hemline adjusted for free as a Nordy Club member.
Who It's For
Anyone who prefers a feminine dress with short sleeves
Size Range: 2-20 | Length: Floor | Neckline: Ballet | Materials: Polyester
Best Midi
JJ’s House Mother of the Bride Dress With Ruffle
If you want a shorter dress without losing that gown-like silhouette, we love this tea-length satin option. Designed with three-quarter sleeves and a classic, universally fitting A-line silhouette, it's available in standard, plus, and custom sizes, so you may not need to alter it at all. It’s simple, elegant, and timeless—and a dress you can absolutely wear again.
Who It's For
A mother of the bride who wants a dress with movement
Size Range: 0-26W | Length: Tea length | Neckline: V-neck | Materials: Satin
Best with Jacket
RM Richards Metallic Sheath Jacket Dress
If you want a little more coverage with the option to change it up at the reception, we recommend going with a dress and matching jacket. This set by RM Richards includes a floor-length dress that boasts a marvelous metallic texture, highlighted by a simple mesh jacket. The empire waist creates the illusion of length throughout the torso, which means it's flattering for many different body types.
Who It's For
Anyone looking for a more modest style and extra coverage
Size Range: 6-24W | Length: Floor | Neckline: V-neck | Materials: Polyester
Best Sparkle
Ieena for Mac Duggal Halter Neck Sheath Gown
The Sequin Halter Neck Sheath Gown will make you feel like a Studio 54 celebrity as you walk into the reception. This floor-length gown has a shimmery, high-neck halter that shows off your shoulders, while the chic back slit allows for easy movement. Wear it with your hair in a sleek updo for the most impact.
Who It's For
Anyone looking for a standout dress ideal for an evening wedding
Size Range: 0-18 | Length: Floor | Neckline: Halter | Materials: Polyester, sequins
Best Neckline
Shona Joy La Lune High Neck Midi Dress
For a more modest style, look no further than the striking dress from Shona Joy. We love that it boasts a ton of movement, thanks to the airy, flowy skirt, while the high neckline provides structure and comfort. It's a gorgeous pick for any formal affair.
Who It's For
Anyone looking for a dress with a flattering fit
Size Range: 2-12 | Length: Midi | Neckline: High-neck | Materials: Lenzing ecovero, viscose
Best Jumpsuit
ASOS Satin Wide Leg Jumpsuit
Switch things up with a jumpsuit! Dressy enough for formal weddings but also appropriate for courthouse nuptials, this retro design is a new version of your favorite wrap dress. The tie belt, shawl collar, and wide legs are super stylish (not to mention, comfortable). You'll definitely want to wear it again.
Who It's For
A fashion-forward mother of the bride
Size Range: 0-14 | Length: Floor | Neckline: Shawl collar | Materials: Polyester
Most Flattering
Oleg Cassini Three-Quarter Sleeve A-Line Wrap Dress
Feel confident and comfortable in this elegant and sophisticated pick. Its flowing floor-length skirt adds whimsy while the striking V-neck adds a bold yet structured touch. Plus, the wrap design of the bodice is incredibly flattering.
Who It's For
Anyone looking for a dress that is equal parts elegant and comfortable
Size Range: 2-14 | Length: Floor | Neckline: V-neck | Materials: Polyester
Best Knee-Length
Xscape Embroidered Floral Lace Sheath Dress
This embroidered sheath with rose gold and silver lace is a stylish and elegant mother-of-the-bride dress with a shorter, knee-length hemline. The dress is lined and has a jewel neckline and cap sleeves. The floral lace embellishment covers the entire dress for a soft, feminine look.
Who It's For
Anyone seeking a fitted dress with all-over lace
Size Range: 2-14 | Length: Knee | Neckline: Lace, jeweled | Materials: Polyester
Best With Sleeves
Mac Duggal Leg of Mutton Sleeve Sheath Gown
This elegant long-sleeved copper gown from MacDuggal has a fitted waist and an A-line skirt. The long, sheer mutton-style sleeves and the surplice V-neck give the dress a graceful fit. This floor-length dress comes in an inclusive size range and has a beaded waist and just the right amount of sparkle.
Who It's For
The mother of the bride who wants an elegant, formal gown
Size Range: 2-24 | Length: Floor | Neckline: Surplice V-neck | Materials: Polyester
Best for Courthouse Wedding
AW Adina Dress
If you’re headed to a courthouse wedding or just want something that is soft, simple, and easy to wear, look no further than this chiffon dress from AW Bridal. The classic cape top is modest and flattering, and the long A-line skirt gives the floor-length dress a timeless look. The Adina dress has a bateau neckline, and the champagne color is a soft neutral that you can wear again and again.
Who It's For
The mother of the bride wants a classic and modest dress
Size Range: 0-30 | Length: Floor | Neckline: Bateau | Materials: Chiffon
What to Look for in Champagne Mother of the Bride Dresses
- Color: “Color is really important here because you don’t want to look like an extension of the bridal party, but you need a color that both compliments and makes a statement," says Cho. That's why champagne is a good choice, because it's different from white, but it's still neutral and elegant. "Depending on the undertone, fabric, and matte or sheen texture, champagne can elevate or accent almost any wedding palette,” he adds. For a simple, classic, floor-length dress in a soft shade of champagne, we love AW Bridal's Adina.
- Authentic Style: “The mother’s authentic style is really important,” says Cho. “When we wear a dress that truly speaks to our personal style and reflects who we are, people notice. You’ll get endless compliments no matter how simple or extravagant the style. You'll feel confident.” Think about your personal style. Do you prefer wearing sleek silhouettes and fabrics? For a sleek and stylish dress, we love Lulu's Classic Elegance Blush Satin Sleeveless Mock Neck Maxi Dress. Or do you prefer something super glam and over the top? If you want a dress that sparkles, IIeena for MacDuggal's Halter Neck Sheath gown is sure to make a statement. There's no right or wrong answer—it's about what really speaks to you.
- Fabric: “The fabric and fit of the dress is equally as important as the style and color,” says Cho. “Look for fabrics that will work with the wedding location and weather.” For example, loose, bohemian shapes and breathable, silky fabrics, like the BHLDN Leila Satin Charmeuse Maxi Dress, are ideal for beach weddings. For a winter wedding, you may want to opt for something with more coverage, warmth, and sparkle.
Why Trust Brides
Contributing writer Jessie Quinn is a bridal-obsessed lifestyle journalist with a bachelor’s degree in fashion journalism. At Brides, she puts a style spin on wedding day fashion and covers everything from sparkling diamond accessories to dance floor-worthy shoes. For this article, the BRIDES team also spoke to an industry expert for their valuable insight:
- Michael Cho is the head designer for Bridal and Evening at Amsale, which is a popular one-stop shop for all things bridal and bridal party attire.