42 best mother of the bride dresses for 2023 (2024)

As the mother of the bride, effortlessly chic and elegant is the ultimate style goal as you proudly stand beside your daughter on her big day. Finding the perfect dress can feel like a monumental task, especially if you have a specific list of requirements like color, sleeve length and fabric type.

To help you on your quest for a fabulous flattering gown, we've searched top retailers to find 42 beautiful mother of the bride dresses for 2023, for every season and style of wedding. We've also scoured our real wedding archives to share the looks of some super stylish mothers of the bride (and groom) to inspire you to step outside your comfort zone and perhaps try out a different color or dress style.

Pink mother of the bride dresses

Magenta is the color of the year and a great choice for weddings as it's so striking and feminine. The key is to look for a sophisticated gown with flowing fabric and balance an open neckline and sleeveless style with a longer length skirt, and vice versa. Keep your hair, make-up and accessories chic and understated for an elegant mother of the bride look.

Photography: Diane Sotero

Grace crepe and pleated chiffon gown - Solace London | Beau feather and grosgrain-trimmed silk-organza gown - Huishan Zhang

Photography: Marni Rothschild

Pleated ruffle cap sleeve chiffon gown - Mac Duggal | Loretta Midi Sheath Dress - Kay Unger

Hannah Mayson Photo

V neck tie waist dress - Aidan Mattox | Mock two-piece co*cktail dress - Alex Evenings

Pale pink mother of the bride dresses

If hot pink is too bold for you, consider a softer shade like blush or pale mauve. Look out for different fabrics, embellishments and prints to elevate these more muted shades, such as lace, florals, beading or sequins.

Vanessa Rose Photography

Floral illusion neck ballgown - Eliza J | Metallic pleated gown - Teri Jon by Rickie Freeman

Photographer: Marni Rothschild

Embroidered midi co*cktail dress - Xscape | Cape sleeve trumpet gown - Betsy & Adam

Photographer: Lena Lim

David Abel Photo

Beaded mesh column gown - Pisarro Nights | Metallic shirtwaist gown - Teri Jon by Rickie Freeman

Ivory mother of the bride dresses

Providing your daughter is OK with it, off-white shades like ivory, ecru, cream, beige and champagne are a wonderfully elegant choice for the mother of the bride.

Liz Andolina Photography

Lace and sequin jacket dress - Alex Evenings | Illusion sleeve embroidered midi dress - Alex Evenings

Liz Andolina Photography

Embroidered sequin dress with jacket - Alex Evenings | Metallic faux wrap gown - Aidan Mattox

Photographer: Lilli Kad

McSween Photography

Floral 3D embroidered gown - Eliza J | Beaded floral co*cktail dress - Mac Duggal

Hannah Mayson Photo

Yellow one-shoulder flutter sleeve maxi dress - Eliza J | Yellow floral cap sleeve ruffle A-line dress - Mac Duggal

Yellow and green mother of the bride dresses

If it's an outdoor wedding, consider a yellow or green gown for a natural summery look. Many consider green to be a nature's neutral so play around pairing it with other colors for contrast, such as pink, coral or orange.

Photography: Troy Meikle

Floral cascading ruffle gown - Mac Duggal | Floral ruffle A-line gown - Mac Duggal

Marshall Arts Photography

Tie waist crepe sheath dress - Adrianna Papell | Cosette cape-effect stretch-cady and satin gown - Safiyaa

Photography: Mallory Dawn

Blue mother of the bride dresses

Universally flattering, there is a shade of blue to suit everyone. From pale silvery hues to duck egg, lavender, navy and darkest midnight blue, it's a failsafe choice for a chic mother of the bride (or groom) look.

Sequin cape overlay gown - Adrianna Papell Plus | Floral embellished midi dress - Adrianna Papell Plus

Sarah Sunstrom Photography

Blue one shoulder beaded dress - Adrianna Papell | Blue sequined cap sleeve gown - Adrianna Papell

Willander Photo

Sarah Sunstrom Photography

Navy off-the-shoulder crepe evening dress - Eliza J | Navy one-shoulder crepe scuba gown - Betsy and Adam

Photographer: Diane Sotero

Elara gown - Kay Unger | Floral jacquard one-shoulder A-line gown - Lulus

Vanessa Rose Photography

Grey beaded taffeta A-line gown - Pisarro Nights | Black column gown - Chiara Boni La Petite Robe

Grey and black mother of the bride dresses

Elegant and slimming, consider a dark shade like charcoal grey or black if your daughter is having a formal wedding with black tie or co*cktail attire. We love one-shoulder and sleeveless dresses to break up the solid color, accessorized with simple gold jewelry and a loose up-do.

Photography: Troy Meikle

Black drape back gown - Betsy & Adam | Black cape sleeve crepe sheath dress - Betsy & Adam

Photography: Marit Williams

Brown beaded floral cap sleeve gown - Mac Duggal | Brown floral lace and tulle gown - La Femme

Marshall Arts Photography

Orange feather-trimmed crepe gown - Taller Marmo | Brown sequin cape sleeve co*cktail dress - MacDuggal

Orange and brown mother of the dresses

A wonderfully seasonal choice for fall weddings but fabulous any time, dresses in earth tones like rust, chestnut, sand and ochre should never be overlooked. Orange is another hot color for 2023 so if you're feeling bold, try out dresses in tangerine, mango and apricot shades to lift your mood and bring some vibrant energy to the occasion.

Photography: Lucy Stuve

Peach belted cady jumpsuit - Elie Saab | Floral-print cotton and silk-blend voile kaftan dress - Erdem

David Abel Photo