Mother of the Bride and Groom Dresses

Shop mother of the bride and groom dresses for black-tie celebrations, formal ceremonies, garden weddings, destination events and everything in between.

Explore elegant gowns, sophisticated cocktail dresses and modern formal styles from leading designers. With a wide range of colors, silhouettes, sleeve lengths and price points, you can find a dress that complements the wedding while still feeling true to your personal style.

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    Sizes 00–28

    Inclusive sizing for a wide range of styles and silhouettes.

    Designer Selection

    Shop leading eveningwear brands in one place.

    Expert Stylists

    Get help with sizing, fit and style by chat, phone or email.

    NYC Appointments

    Book a private in-person shopping experience.

    How to Choose a Mother of the Bride or Groom Dress

    Begin with the wedding’s dress code, venue and overall style. A formal ballroom wedding may call for a floor-length gown, while a daytime garden or destination wedding may be better suited to a lighter fabric or shorter hemline.

    It is also helpful to speak with the couple before shopping. They may have preferences about color, formality or how the immediate family’s attire should coordinate with the wedding party.

    Consider the Wedding Style

    The setting and time of day can help guide your choice.

    For a black-tie wedding, a long gown in satin, crepe, chiffon or an embellished fabric is usually a strong option. Cocktail and semi-formal weddings allow more flexibility, including midi dresses, tea-length styles and elegant shorter dresses.

    For outdoor or destination weddings, look for lighter fabrics and silhouettes that are easy to move in. Fall and winter celebrations may be a better fit for richer colors, sleeves, structured fabrics or added texture.

    Browse our formal gowns, cocktail dresses and long dresses to compare options for different wedding styles.

    Find the Right Silhouette

    The best silhouette is one that suits the event and makes you feel comfortable throughout the day.

    A-line dresses are fitted through the bodice and gradually widen toward the hem, creating a timeless shape with easy movement. Column and sheath dresses offer a cleaner, more streamlined look, while fit-and-flare and mermaid styles create more definition through the waist and hips.

    Ball gowns and fuller skirts can work beautifully for highly formal weddings. For less formal celebrations, a tea-length or knee-length dress can feel polished without being overly traditional.

    Browse our A-line dresses, column dresses and mermaid dresses to explore different shapes.

    Coordinate With the Wedding Colors

    The mother of the bride or groom does not need to match the bridesmaids exactly, but the dress should complement the overall wedding palette.

    Navy, slate blue, burgundy, plum, emerald and champagne are popular choices because they work across a variety of seasons and dress codes. Soft blush, sage, lavender and lighter blue shades can work especially well for spring and summer weddings.

    It is generally best to avoid white, ivory or shades that may appear bridal unless the couple has specifically approved them. Black is now widely accepted for many weddings, particularly formal or evening celebrations, but it is still worth confirming with the couple.

    Browse our navy dresses, blue dresses, green dresses and champagne dresses, or use the color filters to narrow the collection.

    Designer Mother of the Bride Dresses

    Our collection includes formalwear designers known for sophisticated silhouettes, detailed construction and a wide range of sleeve and coverage options.

    Alexander by Daymor dresses are a strong choice for shoppers looking for polished tailoring, structured silhouettes and refined formalwear. MGNY dresses by Morilee include elegant gowns with lace, beading, sleeves and flattering draping designed specifically for wedding celebrations.

    You can also shop styles from Jovani, Mac Duggal, Marsoni, Rina Di Montella, Terani Couture, Lara Dresses, Reverie Couture and other leading occasionwear designers.

    Use the designer filter to shop a favorite brand or compare different approaches to fabric, fit and detail. The current collection features many of these designers, including Alexander by Daymor, MGNY, Marsoni, Rina Di Montella, Jovani and Mac Duggal.

    Mother of the Bride Dresses by Budget

    Mother of the bride and groom dresses are available across a wide range of prices.

    Dresses under $300 often include simpler cocktail styles, sale dresses and gowns with lighter embellishment. Between $300 and $600, you will find a broad selection of chiffon, crepe, satin, lace and embellished formal dresses.

    The $600 to $1,000 range includes more structured designs, premium fabrics, intricate beadwork and styles from established formalwear designers. Above $1,000, expect more detailed construction, couture-inspired finishes and distinctive statement gowns.

    Use the price filter to narrow the collection based on your budget.

    Finding the Right Size and Fit

    Designer formalwear sizing may differ from the size you normally wear in everyday clothing. Before ordering, compare your current bust, waist and hip measurements with the size chart provided for the individual designer.

    Also consider the structure and fabric of the dress. A fitted crepe or satin gown with little stretch may require more precise measurements than a chiffon dress, stretch jersey style or gown with a layered skirt.

    The dress should feel secure through the bust and bodice while allowing you to sit, walk, greet guests and dance comfortably. If the wedding includes a long ceremony, photographs and reception, comfort is especially important.

    Order early enough to allow time for shipping, trying on the dress and completing any necessary alterations.

    When Should the Mothers Choose Their Dresses?

    Traditionally, the mother of the bride selects her dress first and then shares the color and level of formality with the mother of the groom. Today, many families take a more flexible approach and shop collaboratively.

    Both mothers should have enough information about the wedding palette, venue and dress code before making a final choice. The dresses do not need to match, but they should feel equally appropriate for the event and should not clash in photographs.

    Starting several months before the wedding gives both mothers a better selection of sizes and colors and provides enough time for alterations.

    Why Shop Mother of the Bride Dresses at NewYorkDress?

    NewYorkDress makes it easier to compare mother of the bride and groom dresses from a wide selection of formalwear designers in one place.

    Use detailed filters to narrow the collection by designer, size, color, silhouette, neckline, sleeve length, fabric and price. The collection currently includes long gowns, shorter formal dresses, sleeved styles, lace designs, embellished gowns and a range of established mother-of-the-bride designers.

    Our stylists are available by live chat, phone or email to help with sizing, fit and style questions. Shoppers in the New York City area can also book an appointment for an in-person shopping experience.

    Mother of the Bride and Groom Dress FAQs

    The dress should reflect the wedding's dress code, venue and time of day. Floor-length gowns are common for black-tie weddings, while cocktail, tea-length and midi dresses can work well for semi-formal or daytime celebrations.

    Choose a color that complements the wedding palette without matching the bridesmaids exactly. Navy, blue, plum, champagne, sage, burgundy and metallic shades are all popular choices.

    White, ivory and other bridal-looking shades are generally best avoided unless the couple has approved them. It is also helpful to check before wearing the exact same color as the bridesmaids.

    Yes. Black is appropriate for many modern weddings, especially black-tie and evening celebrations. Confirm with the couple if you are unsure whether it fits their wedding style.

    No. Their dresses do not need to match, but they should complement one another in formality and work well with the wedding colors. Communicating before purchasing can help avoid dresses that are overly similar or noticeably mismatched.

    That depends on the dress code. A floor-length gown is usually appropriate for black-tie weddings, while midi, tea-length and cocktail dresses can work for semi-formal, daytime and destination celebrations.

    Shopping four to six months before the wedding gives you time to compare styles, order the right size and complete alterations. Starting earlier may be helpful when selecting a special-order dress or shopping during a busy wedding season.

    They can be. Formalwear sizing varies by designer and may not match your everyday clothing size. Use your current measurements and the individual designer's size chart when ordering.

    They can wear colors from the same family, but the dresses should not look identical unless that is intentional. Coordinating ahead of time helps both mothers choose distinct looks that photograph well together.

    No. A complementary color is usually better than an exact match. The goal is to create a coordinated overall look while allowing the mother of the bride or groom to have a distinct style.