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Gorgeous Mother-of-the-Bride (and Groom) Dresses From Real Weddings

The wedding day is about celebrating the bride and groom's lifelong commitment to one another, but it's also a special milestone for both sets of parents. There's often a lot of (self-imposed) pressure for Mom to look her best — so help her find a dress that will make her feel like a million bucks! It should be comfortable to wear, indicative of her personality, and cohesive with your wedding style. (A general guideline is that the mothers can wear any color, as long as it doesn't clash with the bridesmaids' dresses or overall color palette.) We've rounded up some of the most stylish looks featuring MOBs and MOGs (mothers of the groom).

By: Stefania Sainato

Enter Slideshow
  • Blue

    Blue

    Val originally purchased her bedazzled MSK sheath at Macy's as a backup dress for her son's wedding — she liked that it was comfortable and flattering. In a turn of events, she ended up wearing the gown six months later at her daughter Mikaela's wedding, since it went well with the wedding colors she had picked out.

  • Green

    Green

    We're green with envy over Irina's ruffled emerald Oscar de la Renta gown! She wore it to her daughter Francesca's romantic garden-themed wedding, which took place in April at the Beverly Hills Hotel. 

    Photo courtesy of Aliana Events / Event Coordination and Design: Aliana Events

  • Pink

    Pink

    When Katie picked out her Liancarlo wedding dress at a trunk show, she had the privilege of meeting the designer, Carlos Ramirez. He suggested that her mom, Deborah, wear blush for the wedding, which would not only mesh well with the bridesmaids' fuschia gowns but also fit the vibe of her glam beachside reception in California. Deborah chose "Nausica" by Pronovias, a beautiful trumpet dress, which she purchased at Laura Jacobs Bridal.

  • Prints

    Prints

    Denise chose a Kay Unger dress from Lord and Taylor for her daughter Nicki's romantic industrial wedding at Front and Palmer in Philadelphia. She wanted a unique, elegant dress that was not the typical "mother of the bride" look. Her daughter had to talk her into buying it, and we think she looked absolutely amazing.

  • Metallics

    Metallics

    Ellen wore a sophisticated Tadashi Shoji dress from Bloomingdales to her daughter Kathryn's springtime Southern soirée. She wanted a style that flattered her 5'9" frame, had sleeves, and wasn't too low-cut. It fit the formal vibe of the wedding venue (a plantation in Greensboro, Georgia) without being too fussy.

    Photo Credit: Brandy Angel Photography / Wedding Gown: Wtoo

  • Pink

    Pink

    Pretty in pink! Ellie's Badgley Mischka gown (purchased at Nordstrom) added a touch of sparkle to her daughter Jacqueline's neutral-hued bash in St. Petersburg, Florida.

    Photo Credit: Brooke Images / Event Coordination and Design: Tracie Domino Events

  • Blue

    Blue

    Debbie pulled out all the stops for her son's glamorous evening wedding at a landmark hotel and spa. She chose her Peggy Jennings gown because it was in the blue family (just like the bridesmaids' dresses), and she topped it off with a chic Magali Ferrante De Maggiora cape.

    Photo Credit: Ryan Joseph Photographs / Event Coordination and Design: Tracie Domino Events

  • Metallics

    Metallics

    Calyn asked both her mom and mother-in-law to wear champagne to her formal wedding in January. Her mother, Dara, selected a stunning cap-sleeve style by Aidan Mattox, which she purchased at Neiman Marcus.

  • Blue

    Blue

    With its bateau neckline, shimmering lace appliqués, and curve-hugging silhouette, this Tadashi Shoji dress from Nordstrom played up Ashley's mom's shape. It also toed the line between seasons (her daughter's big day was in March in Paradise Valley, Arizona).

  • Black

    Black

    Danielle said her "I dos" at Soho 63, a hip and contemporary event venue in downtown Chandler, Arizona, and her mom wanted a dress that was just as fresh and modern. She ended up buying the first one she tried on at Nordstrom, which was designed by Tadashi Shoji. It fit perfectly and didn't require any alterations!

  • Metallics

    Metallics

    Sabrina threw a garden wedding with fun twists, including a beer burro, a custom cornhole, and lots of greenery throughout. In similar fashion, her mom, Kimberlee, selected a stunning yet non-conventional gown by Terani Couture on Hautelook. It featured a halter neckline, mink hue, and intricate beadwork.

  • Metallics

    Metallics

    Rustie had her friends vote on which dress she should choose for her daughter Melissa's romantic garden wedding. An Adrianna Papell dress from Nordstrom emerged as the winner, thanks to its timeless style, chic jacket, and the fact that it meshed well with Melissa's wedding gown.

  • Purple

    Purple

    When Janet went shopping at Dillard's, an Adrianna Papell style with a rich plum hue and glitzy beading caught her eye. She wore it to her daughter Kierstin's black-tie garden affair.

  • Prints

    Prints

    Georgeanna's patterned Milly ball gown (purchased at Neiman Marcus) wasn't something she would have initially picked out for herself. However, the fun and formal design fit her to a T and ended up being the perfect choice for her daughter Kelly's shoreside summertime wedding at Chesapeake Bay in Cambridge, MD.

  • Metallics

    Metallics

    A full skirt, feminine bow detailing, and sequins sprinkled throughout make this gown a knockout.

  • Metallics

    Metallics

    How darling is this vintage-inspired sheath that Ayla's mom donned for her daughter's wedding at the Four Seasons in Beverly Hills?

  • Blue

    Blue

    Stephanie's navy sheath featured illusion sleeves with leaf-like detailing, perfectly complementing her daughter Avery's boho-beautiful wedding-day look.

    Photo Credit: MWLindstrom / Event Coordination and Design: Antonia Christianson Events

  • Metallics

    Metallics

    All that glitters is gold! Josee wowed in a Peter Langner gown from L'Elite Bridal Boutique at her daughter Angelique's wedding.

    Photo Credit: Dustin Lewis Photography / Event Design and Coordination: Antonia Christianson Events

  • Green

    Green

    Emily's mom and mother-in-law both selected lovely green dresses for her outdoor wedding. Beth, the mother of the bride (pictured at left), chose a Lee Anderson Couture dress that she purchased at the designer's flagship store in New York City. Ileana, the mother of the groom (pictured at right), wore a Valentino design that she picked out online.

    Photo Credit: Laura Murray Photography / Event Coordination and Design: Bluebird Productions

  • Prints

    Prints

    Adele rocked a Badgley Mischka gown featuring a statement-making floral print to her son Adam's outdoor wedding. She saw a picture of it online on the Neiman Marcus website and instantly knew it was The One.

    Photo Credit: Kate Holstein Photography / Event Coordination and Design: Bluebird Productions

  • Metallics

    Metallics

    Maile got married in February at the top of Aspen Mountain (an elevation of 11,212 feet). She wanted the MOB and MOG to wear floor-length dresses in gold and silver, respectively, to match her enchanted winter wonderland theme. Christine, her mom, dazzled in a Badgley Mischka gown that she discovered at Saks Fifth Avenue.

    Photo Credit: Adonye Jaja Photography / Event Coordination and Design: Bluebird Productions

  • Black

    Black

    Debbie wore a one-shoulder dress designed by Tadashi Shoji to her daughter Lauren's wedding at the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel in Waimea, Hawaii. The lace detailing was a classic choice, and the cocktail-length hemline kept it from being too formal for the daytime affair.

    Photo Credit: Emily Piraino Photography / Event Coordination and Design: Mango Muse Events

  • Pink

    Pink

    Andrea tied the knot in a dreamy destination wedding on the North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii, where she and her husband rented out a private estate for the momentous occasion. Her mom, Tess, wanted a dress that would fit the tropical theme, and she fell head over heels for this embellished Adrianna Papell style from Macy's.

    Photo Credit: Christie Pham Photographer / Event Coordination and Design: Mango Muse Events

  • Blue

    Blue

    Katie wanted her Colorado nuptials to feel classic and elegant while highlighting the scenic mountain backdrop. Mission achieved: Her mom, Anne, and mother-in-law, Susan, chose striking navy gowns that reflected the wedding theme. Anne (pictured at left) wore a J. Mendel style from Neapolitan (a boutique in Winnetka, Illinois), while Susan opted for a V-neck lace dress from Mariel Boutique (located in Cherry Creek, Denver).

    Photo Credit: Peggy Wilkie / Event Coordination and Design: Bluebird Productions

  • Metallics

    Metallics

    Dana's shimmery silver gown — designed by Kay Unger and purchased at Neiman Marcus — hit all the right notes at her daughter Kristen's wedding. 

  • Green

    Green

    Willia went the custom route for her daughter Greyson's autumnal wedding in a beautiful ballroom with crystal chandeliers, commissioning a designer in Raleigh, North Carolina. The resulting creation was oh-so-sophisticated and elegantly mirrored the bride's dress without detracting from it.

    Photo Credit: Corbin Gurkin / Event Coordination and Design: Easton Events

  • Black

    Black

    Amber threw a quaint chapel wedding, followed by a grand reception at a chateau. Her mom Donna's dress featured glamorous beadwork and sheer sleeves. It was designed by Patra, and she bought it at Macy's.

  • Purple

    Purple

    Emily's springtime wedding at a golf course in Illinois featured bold pops of color, including her mom Karen's dress. Designed by Alex Evenings and purchased at Von Maur, the royal purple style showcased eye-catching texture.

  • Prints

    Prints

    Joe's mom, Susan, stunned in a custom-designed gown with a V-neck and fluttery sleeves, which she wore to his colorful and carefree wedding at Bedell Vineyards in the Hamptons.

    Photo Credit: Leila Brewster Photography / Event Coordination and Design: True Event

  • Metallics

    Metallics

    We love the figure-flattering sequin placement on Delilah's gilded gown, which she purchased at Nordstrom for her daughter Elise's big day.

Gorgeous Mother-of-the-Bride (and Groom) Dresses From Real Weddings

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