How much input does the bride have in the Mother of the Bride and Mother of the Groom’s attire?

A: It’s the bride’s day and you want to make it perfect, so it’s important to consult her before heading out to buy your dress. There may be a certain colour she has in mind that coordinates with the bridesmaids, or she may prefer that you stay away from certain colours. It is important to talk to the bride and ask for her opinion, as well as maintain a flexible mindset. You may have to compromise a little bit, but in the end, you should both be happy with the dress you choose.

Q: Should the Mother of the Bride match the bridesmaid dresses?

A: The Mother of the Bride is special. She needs to stand out a bit from the bridesmaids, so her dress should complement rather than match the bridesmaid’s dresses. For example, the MOB could wear a dress in a similar colour to the bridesmaids but in a deeper shade. She could also wear a contrasting colour or a colour in the same seasonal family as the bridesmaid’s dresses.

A: Wearing black to a wedding can be a chic, modern option. However, there are some brides who may feel differently. It’s very important to talk to the bride about this. White should be reserved for the bride, although cream could be an option as long as the bride isn’t wearing cream. Some bright reds can be rather loud for such a soft, romantic occasion. It all comes back to what the bride feels comfortable with.  Be sensitive to her wishes.

Q: Should the Mother of the Groom coordinate her outfit with the Mother of the Bride?

A: Traditionally the Mother of the Bride chooses her dress first and notifies the Mother of the Groom so they can coordinate their outfits. You don’t want the mothers looking at odds with each other because one is dressed more formally or they’re wearing clashing colours. The dresses should fit well together and flatter one another.