20 Modest Mother-of-the-Bride and -Groom Dress Ideas

Every bride and groom wants to look his or her best on their big day—and every mother of a bride or groom does, too. However, finding a gown that strikes the perfect balance for a woman of a certain age isn’t always easy: You want elegant, not dowdy; embellished, not overdone; stylish, not juvenile. Luckily, there are many options available for moms to select, particularly modest mother-of-the-bride or -groom dresses that are classic, elegant, and fit for any wedding day dress code.

While choosing ensembles with modest details—like illusion necklines, floor-length silhouettes, and pretty sleeves— is one way to find a look that'll allow you to show off your assets in a tasteful way, the best (and easiest) way to actually find the perfect getup is by looking to past weddings for inspiration. That's why we put together a roundup of our favorite modest mother-of-the-bride and -groom dresses worn by real moms. Ahead, see how they perfected their wedding day looks to inspire your own celebratory ensembles.

01 of 20

A Blush-Hued Gown With Bishop Sleeves

mother and daughter having a sweet moment before the wedding day in the bridal suite — Photo by Hugo Coelho

At a vineyard wedding in Portugal, the mother of the bride chose a sweeping, floor-length gown with a flowing skirt, draped sleeves, and a cinched waist. The plunging neckline, open arms, and muted blush color complemented the bride’s flower–embellished, long-sleeved gown. Our advice? Replicate this ensemble exactly as seen.

02 of 20

A Barbiecore-Inspired Mermaid Gown

mother of the bride and bride walking down the aisle together. the mother of the bride is wearing a pink off-the-shoulder dress and the bride is wearing a floral embellished gown — Photo by Jose Villa

Given that bride Melanie hosted a wedding modeled after a Monet painting, her mother walked her down the aisle in a pink Monique Lhuillier gown that, aptly, looked like a work of art. With a flared skirt and off-the-shoulder balloon sleeves, this stunning getup is an elegant option for moms searching for contemporary attire.

03 of 20

A Sleeveless Textured Gown

mother of the bride and bride holding hands ahead of the wedding. mother of the bride is wearing a blue 3D embroidered gown and the bride is wearing a strapless ball gown — Photo by Phillip Van Nostrand

This sleek, sleeveless navy blue A-line is a festive choice for an autumn wedding in New York. Best of all, the three-dimensional embellishments add movement and interest to the dress, making it a stunning choice for moms who love to dance.

04 of 20

A Mauve Gown With a Cropped Jacket

bride and mother of the bride posing together during pre-wedding portraits — Photo by Madison Emily Hare Photography

Searching for a way to complement your daughter's wedding gown? Look to TikTok star Kelianne Stankus's mother, who wore a sequined cropped jacket to match Stankus's sparkly dress from Berta. Both women glowed on the big day, while still being able to show off their personal style.

05 of 20

A Classic Black Suit

mother of the bride and bride embracing before a desert Joshua Tree wedding — Photo by Sydney Noelle Photography

At a modern wedding in Joshua Tree, California, this bride’s mother walked her down the aisle in a chic black suit with a slim-fit cut and deep V-neckline. The look is elegant and unexpected, and will certainly turn heads for all the right reasons.

06 of 20

A Sleeveless Silk Gown

mother of the bride zipping up her daughter's feather-embellished wedding dress — Photo by Kurt Boomer

At a French chateau wedding with boho embellishments, the mother of the bride donned a sleeveless gown with a slightly flared skirt in a shade of pale olive. Follow her styling lead and pair your look with pearl jewelry to complete the classic and modest aesthetic.

07 of 20

An Illusion Long-Sleeve Gown

mother of the bride walking her daughter down the aisle while wearing a long-sleeve, sheer illusion gold dress — Photo by Lilly Red

This mother of the bride showed off her lively spirit in a full-length, illusion gown for her daughter's outdoor wedding by Lake Como. Between the sequined flowers and sheer silhouette, this getup is a perfect source of inspiration for moms with bold tastes.

08 of 20

A Muted Blue and Gray Gown

mother and father walking their daughter down the aisle — Photo by Molly Carr Photography

The natural landscape surrounding this bride's Tuscan venue inspired her mother's neutral-colored gown. For example, the muted shades of blue and gray, with understated yellow accents, perfectly complement the outdoor setting, while the pleated full skirt and V-neck bodice subtly coordinate with her daughter’s attire.

09 of 20

A Tulle, Floral-Embroidered Gown

At a colorful garden wedding in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, this mother of the bride walked with her daughter in a full-length Teri Jon gown with a floral overlay and elbow-length illusion sleeves. Embroidered with vines, flowers, and butterflies on delicate blush tulle, this getup is an ethereal choice for formal celebrations.

10 of 20

A Bold, One-Shoulder Pink Gown

This bride’s mother stuck to her daughter's wedding color palette of fuchsia, marigold, and indigo, and donned a bright pink gown and bow-front shoes. Instead of relying on sequins or embellishments, draw inspiration from her look and lean into bold details—like the one-shoulder silhouette and rich pink hue—that are at once simple and stunning.

11 of 20

A Pink Midi With a Matching Jacket

mother of the groom and groom posing with a flower girl ahead of the wedding — Photo by Elias Kordelakos

At a fashion-focused wedding in Greece—where even the bridal party changed for the reception—the groom's mother donned a blush pink midi dress with a matching jacket. We absolutely love the two-in-one look, especially given the fact that she styled it with a fascinator of the same hue.

12 of 20

A Gold Cowl-Neck Gown

mother of the bride and bride posing ahead of the wedding — Photo by Oliver Fly Photography

When her daughter and future son-in-law chose a destination wedding in Paris, the City of Light, this mother opted for a deep gold gown to match the golden, romantic setting. Best of all, the flattering belted waist, cowl neckline, and twisted bodice are all graceful details other moms can consider for their own day-of looks.

13 of 20

A Black Floral Gown

mother and father walking their daughter down a floral-filled aisle — Photo by Studio This Is

This bride's mom opted for a high-contrast black gown, that showed off a multi-hued floral print, for her daughter's colorful Chicago wedding. The onyx hue, defined waist, and floor-sweeping length kept the gown formal, while the colorful pattern was fresh and fun.

14 of 20

A Bright Color-Blocked Gown

mother and father posing with their daughter ahead of the wedding — Photo by Gracie Byrd Jones

Do you prefer more fashion-forward aesthetics? Consider wearing a color-blocked gown, á la this bride’s mother, who chose a cheerful dress in shades of coral and tangerine. An array of black circles also formed a belt that divided the colors, while accenting the three-quarter-length sleeves.

15 of 20

A Navy Gown With a Lace Neckline

mother and daughter having a sweet pre-wedding moment, looking into each other's eyes — Photo by Pablo Laguia

A “romantic, artful” wedding in Mallorca went from a simple ceremony to an electric after-dark dance party—and this mother-of-the-bride’s gown worked for both events. What's more, the sapphire-colored dress, sweetheart neckline, illusion lace sleeves, and ruched bodice were both formal and fashionable—a lovely source of inspiration for winter, black-tie affair.

16 of 20

A Navy Blue Sequined Ball Gown

mother of the bride wearing a blue sequin dress is zipping up her daughter's tulle, off-the-shoulder wedding gown — Photo by Anya Kernes

This navy, mother-of-the-bride ball gown made a regal statement at bride Ammy's Disney-inspired winter wedding in Malibu. Featuring a flattering silhouette and an illusion neckline and sleeves, this ensemble is fit for a queen on her princess's big day.

17 of 20

An Embellished, Flutter-Sleeve Gown

mother of the bride and bride pre-wedding portrait in front of a floral-filled alter — Photo by Sydney Noelle Photography

Want a dress that covers only a portion of your arms? Look to TikTok influencer Justina Sharp's mother, who wore a navy gown that included a flattering beaded belt, draped cap sleeves, and a black and blue lace overlay with three-dimensional flowers.

18 of 20

A Gown With Thoughtful Accessories

mother and her son posing before the wedding ceremony — Photo by Collins Nai

This mother's stone-colored satin gown, with a wrap-style bodice, full skirt, and cap sleeves, was a sophisticated complement to the groom’s white-tie tuxedo at a backyard wedding in New York. But it’s her black belt, black gloves, gold necklaces, and sunglasses that turned this classic look into a memorable style moment.

19 of 20

A Long-Sleeve, Two-Toned Gown

a mother-daughter pre-wedding portrait taken in their dining room — Photo by Ashley Sawtelle

This bride's mother leaned into her daughter's color scheme when selecting her two-tone getup. The fabric and silhouette of her mother-of-the-bride dress also complemented her daughter's wedding gown in an elegant and respectful way.

20 of 20

A Silver-Embellished Gown

The flattering shape of this silver and blue-gray gown included a gently flared skirt and cap sleeves—two elements moms should look for in a modest mother-of-the-bride dress. The embellished overlay also coordinated with the bride’s dramatic, custom gown, while a loose updo and sparkling bracelet added a sophisticated polish.

The 13 Best Places to Buy Stylish Mother-of-the-Bride Dresses