What color does the mother of the bride usually wear?

Navy is the most popular dress color for mothers of the bride. It's not only timeless but also seasonless and flattering on pretty much everyone. Dusty blue, plum, emerald, sage, and silver are also great options. But before deciding, you might want to think about how the shade will complement the wedding theme and bridal party colors.

What color should a mother of the bride not wear?

These days, most colors aren't off-limits for a mother of the bride—or any wedding guest, for that matter. However, unless the bride specifically requests it, it's probably wise to avoid white, off-white, or champagne, as these are common hues for a bridal gown.

How far out do you order a mother-of-the-bride dress?

If possible, try to order your mother-of-the-bride dress at least four or five months out from the wedding date. This will allow plenty of time for shipping, returns or exchanges, and any necessary alterations. Be sure to check the retailer's return policy before buying your dress.

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

Mother-of-the-bride in blue gown fastens buttons on bride's dress — Photo by McKenzie Smith for Tanya Menoni

Deal Alert: Shop the best discounts on Mother-of-the-Bride dresses and accessories during the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale

Your child's wedding day may very well be one of the most important days of your life, which often comes with feelings of both excitement and pressure. Sure, all eyes will be on the couple and what they're wearing, but it's also impossible not to notice what the mother has on as well. As the mother of the bride or groom, you'll be in countless photos, you'll have to mingle with almost every guest in attendance, and you may even have the spotlight placed on you while walking down the aisle or participating in a special dance. So finding a mother-of-the-bride dress, that is beautiful and stands out, is important for getting through the day in true style.

Regardless if you know exactly what you want to wear, shopping for the perfect ensemble will oftentimes feel overwhelming. Since mother-of-the-bride dresses tend to be more formal than other guests and family members, you will want to typically look for a floor-length gown (unless the wedding has a very casual dress code). Luckily, there are plenty of stores that sell dresses specifically with the mother of the bride and groom in mind.

If you're not sure where to begin your search, here are the best retailers to shop and find dresses that feel special enough for such a big day.

Courtesy of Nordstrom

View On Nordstrom

Nordstrom is a great choice as it has a dress section specifically dedicated to mother-of-the-bride dresses. They sell formal gowns and cocktail dresses that are versatile for any type of wedding, all in a range of price points (with some looks coming in at under $100). While you can probably find something in the mother-of-the-bride category, there are also thousands of other ensembles available on the site if you'd like to widen your options.

Shipping Cost: Free | Return Policy: Unlimited

Courtesy of Anthropologie

View On Anthropologie

For understated gowns that feel elegant and chic, check out Anthropologie's mother-of-the-bride section. It's small but the dresses are versatile, and most looks are classic and simple options many moms will love. The site sells designer names, but many pieces come from their bridal brand, BHLDN, at prices that are typically a few hundred dollars or less.

Shipping Cost: Free on orders over $100 | Return Policy: Free within 30 days

Courtesy of David's Bridal

View On David's Bridal

For moms who are on a budget, David's Bridal is a great place to start. The wedding site has plenty of dresses available that were created with mothers in mind, and most of them are budget-friendly and affordable. Also, while many sites mostly sell trendy pieces, David's Bridal has a great range of conservative and traditional mother-of-the-bride and groom gowns, like matching jackets, dress sets, or formal pantsuits. Don't worry, though, they also offer of-the-moment looks, like bodycon short dresses and elegant off-the-shoulder gowns, if that's what you'd prefer.

Shipping Cost: Free on orders over $120 | Return Policy: Free within 7 days

Courtesy of Betsey & Adam

View On Betsyandadam.com

You'll find Betsey & Adam dresses in department stores like Macy's, but they also have their own website with an entire section dedicated to moms. The brand sells standard sizes as well as petite and plus-size gowns, with a range of silhouettes from floor-length to shorter looks. The best part? They're pretty affordable and most pieces are around the $250 price point, with styles that feel classic and traditional without being too conservative or frumpy.

Shipping Cost: Free standard ground shipping within the U.S. | Return Policy: Free within 14 days of delivery date

Courtesy of Dillard's

View On Dillards.com

Dillard's is another department store with an impressive mother-of-the-bride section, as well as plenty of other dresses to choose from. There's a wide variety to be found, featuring sparkling gowns fit for the holiday season to floral knee-length dresses that feel more casual. What you'll love the most is that Dillard's has a big selection of brands like Mac Duggal and Adrianna Papell, and they have special sizes for plus and petite moms.

Shipping Cost: Free shipping for orders over $100 | Return Policy: Free within 30 days

View On Saks Fifth Avenue View On Saksoff5th.com

For more high-end options and big-name designer gowns, take a look at Saks Fifth Avenue. The luxury department store features stylish gowns by names like Prabal Gurung, Oscar de la Renta, and Marchesa, as well as plenty of other well-established brands and newcomers. Many of the dresses cost a few thousand dollars, but there are plenty of options between $500 and $1,000 as well. At Saks, you'll find beautiful and unique looks that are more of an investment than just a dress.

Shipping Cost: $9.95 standard shipping for orders under $100 | Return Policy: Free within 14 days

Courtesy of Adrianna Papell

View On Adriannapapell.com

With a large selection of both trendy and classic dresses, at fairly affordable price points, Adrianna Papell is considered a go-to when it comes to beautiful mother-of-the-bride dresses. You'll find solid color pieces that are versatile and simple, as well as lots of colorful floral patterns and more modern options like jumpsuits. You can find Adrianna Papell dresses in department stores like Macy's, but also directly on the brand's website.

Shipping Cost: Free shipping for orders over $300 | Return Policy: Within 30 days of delivery date; $9.95 restocking fee + $5 for each additional item

Courtesy of Macy's

View On Macy's

Macy's has a nice assortment of more affordable gowns as well as pricier options. You'll often find brands such as Calvin Klein, Betsey & Adam, Adrianna Papell, and DKNY, plus every type of dress style you can possibly imagine. This is another department store with a category dedicated to mother-of-the-bride and groom dresses, making it an ideal search for your wedding day shopping needs.

Shipping Cost: Free on orders over $25 | Return Policy: Free within 30 days

Courtesy of Camille LaVie

View On Camillelavie.com

Camille LaVie sells beautiful and fairly affordable gowns that feel formal without being stuffy. While many pieces feature trendy elements, they all still have a more versatile feel to them. You'll find full-length ballgowns with big tulle skirts, more fitted slinky gowns with slits, and bejeweled options that will glitter all night long. While prices can get high, most stay around a fair $250 price point.

Shipping Cost: Free ground shipping for orders over $200 | Return Policy: No refunds or returns; exchanges within 14 days

Courtesy of Sachin & Babi

View On Sachinandbabi.com

If you're looking for a gown that is unique and stunning, you can't go wrong with Sachin & Babi. The designer brand produces pieces that are whimsical and fun, chic and trendy, and sophisticated and classic. You'll find one-of-a-kind ball gowns in bright colors, traditional silhouettes in basic shades, and fun details like oversized bows. The color choices are also excellent.

Shipping Cost: $6 | Return Policy: Free up to 14 days after delivery

Courtesy of Tadashi Shoji

View On Tadashishoji.com

Tadashi Shoji makes gorgeous gowns that are fun and flirty, without being too over-the-top. They're ideal for moms who want to wear something stylish and fashion-forward while still looking a bit more classic. You'll find shorter cocktail dresses that are great for a more casual ceremony, as well as plenty of stunning gowns made of interesting colors with plenty of different textures and designs.

Shipping Cost: Free | Return Policy: Within 15 days of delivery; 20% restocking fee for 4+ items

Courtesy of Bloomingdale's

View On Bloomingdales

If you aren't easily overwhelmed, Bloomingdale's offers a huge assortment of dresses and gowns, from a section that is dedicated to the mother of the bride and beyond. There's so much versatility here, from formal gowns and big designer names to more affordable and still beautiful pieces. This is a great place to shop if you're looking for a mix of high-end luxury and stylish mid-range ensembles.

Shipping Cost: Free for Loyallist members or on orders over $150 | Return Policy: Free within 90 days

a person modeling a velvet dress in front of a beige background

Courtesy of Lulus

View On Lulus

Maybe the most budget-friendly option on this list, Lulu's offers hundreds of dresses that cost about $100 and less. If you don't want to spend a lot but still want to dress to impress, this is a great site to peruse. Many of the gowns do skew a bit younger and trendier, so if you want a more traditional mother-of-the-bride dress, you may not find it here. But, if you're looking for something stylish and affordable, it's a great place to start.

Shipping Cost: Free on orders over $50 | Return Policy: Within 10 days; $4.99 shipping fee

What to Consider When Shopping for Mother-of-the-Bride Dresses

Wedding Formality

When shopping for a mother-of-the-bride dress, you'll want to first consider the formality of the wedding. Is it an ultra-fancy black-tie affair, a more casual event without a specific dress code, or something in between?

You can find more formal options, including floor-length gowns and designer styles, at Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Bloomingdale's. For a slightly less formal dress, browse the selections at Lulus, Anthropologie, or Dillard's.

Wedding Theme and Season

You should also keep the wedding theme and season (or location) in mind. For an evening celebration in the fall or winter, go with a full-length gown in a heavier fabric, like velvet or satin with sequin embellishments.

If it's a garden wedding in the spring, a short-sleeve floral number might be just the thing. And for an oceanside event held in the summer, consider flowier dresses made of lightweight fabrics.

Cut and Coverage

There are many mother-of-the-bride dress cuts to choose from, including column gowns, A-line skirts, wrap dresses, drapey numbers, capelets, pique gowns, and knee-length sheaths.

Beyond skirt style and length, think about how much coverage you want on top. You could go with long sleeves, short sleeves, flutter sleeves, cap sleeves, or an off-the-shoulder style. Want more flexibility? Another option is to get a sleeveless dress with a matching shawl.

FAQ

What color does the mother of the bride usually wear?

Navy is the most popular dress color for mothers of the bride. It's not only timeless but also seasonless and flattering on pretty much everyone. Dusty blue, plum, emerald, sage, and silver are also great options. But before deciding, you might want to think about how the shade will complement the wedding theme and bridal party colors.
What color should a mother of the bride not wear?

These days, most colors aren't off-limits for a mother of the bride—or any wedding guest, for that matter. However, unless the bride specifically requests it, it's probably wise to avoid white, off-white, or champagne, as these are common hues for a bridal gown.
How far out do you order a mother-of-the-bride dress?

If possible, try to order your mother-of-the-bride dress at least four or five months out from the wedding date. This will allow plenty of time for shipping, returns or exchanges, and any necessary alterations. Be sure to check the retailer's return policy before buying your dress.