Attire - Mother of the Groom

[Grammyof2]

My son is getting married next month so I have been thinking on this. The wedding is outside, the bridesmaid's are wearing short dresses, the men are all wearing tuxedos and the brides Mom hasn't bought her dress yet but is wearing a short dress. I am leaning towards a short skirt /suit in a neutral color. When I say short I mean knee length.

 

[My2Qtz0205]

For my wedding, I just requested the mothers to wear "fall colors." My mother chose a cobalt blue floor-length dress, which ended up being the same color my grandmothers and step-mother wore--they did not coordinate ahead of time. My MIL chose a burgundy knee-length dress.

 

[powellrj]

When my DS got married, DDILs bridesmaids wore yellow dresses, so I went with a brown dress. I was pleased with it and I think DDIL liked it as well.

 

[apirateslifeforme]

Well, here's one of my wedding photos:

Both moms are wearing pants, too. Not shown, DH's sister, my MOH, wore a knee-length black and silver dress. But we just told everyone to wear what they wanted and be comfortable, so maybe that was just us (our 3 nieces, the flower girls, wore bright fuchsia!).

 

[Neesy228]

Just don't do what my MIL did....she was very secretive about her dress leading up to the wedding, BECAUSE she showed up in a white floor length prom dress with sequins all over her chest. I kid you not. The best part is, that when my BIL got married 11 years later, she wore it AGAIN!

My Mom found a very pretty soft gray, floor length dress with a short sleeved beaded jacket. It complimented the shades of lilac of the flowers and bridal party. She ordered it from Penney's back before they completely wrecked themselves. Davids bridal used to have some pretty ones as well...and it would be worthwhile checking out the nicer department stores for dresses.

Congratulations and good luck finding the perfect dress!!

 

[lorimay]

Just don't do what my MIL did....she was very secretive about her dress leading up to the wedding, BECAUSE she showed up in a white floor length prom dress with sequins all over her chest. I kid you not. The best part is, that when my BIL got married 11 years later, she wore it AGAIN!

My Mom found a very pretty soft gray, floor length dress with a short sleeved beaded jacket. It complimented the shades of lilac of the flowers and bridal party. She ordered it from Penney's back before they completely wrecked themselves. Davids bridal used to have some pretty ones as well...and it would be worthwhile checking out the nicer department stores for dresses.

Congratulations and good luck finding the perfect dress!!

I can't even imagine.

 

[Jaya]

My mother wore a dressy suit, as did MIL, in complimentary colors. She wore it many times again! Heck, the suit my grandmother wore, she was buried in (and told me she would be at the time of my wedding, 10 years before she died). I come from practical stock.

Wow - that's exactly the same with me. I was the first grandchild to get married and my grandmother wore a beautiful deep rose suit. She liked it so much and it looked so good on her, she wore it to her 50th wedding anniversary and every wedding in the family for the next 13 years and it was always referred to as "Grandma's Wedding Suit". When she died, we couldn't think of anything more appropriate to bury her in.

 

[luvmy3]

I guess the rule of thumb is to wait until the mom of the bride chooses and then go with something that doesn't clash with her.

Have you talked to the BTB? I know when I got married, I didn't care what dh's mom wore, as long as it wasn't white. I wanted her to find a dress she loved, not one that I loved for her.

Congrats!

 

[anniemck]

Admittedly, I've never paid attention to what the groom's mother usually wears at a wedding, LOL. But now it's my turn and I'm stumped.

What DO moms of the groom wear? The same color as the wedding party? Or does color not matter?

I'm hoping not to go too formal as I prefer to splurge on a dress that I will wear again.... somewhere... lol.

Also, where to shop for a nice dress?

Any opinions out there? I know it's probably not terribly important... who pays attention to the groom's mom anyways? From my own experience, I really haven't noticed what they wear, lol. But I still want to look appropriate at least for the wedding photos afterwards.

The first of my three daughters just married in February. The wedding colors were Navy Blue and Pink. The dd and the bridesmaids picked the dresses they would wear which was navy blue, long, spaghetti strap with a shawl. I asked dd what she wanted me to wear as mother of the bride, and due to the fact that she lives 3 states away we did some looking online. MIL did not ask her at all, and she lives in their house. She came home with a dress almost identical to the bridesmaid dresses, except it had a jacket not a shawl and from the same store. My bff and I went shopping one night, and I tried on quite a few dresses and sent photo's to dd, she picked my dress and I happily paid for it. So, we all ended up in Navy blue, as she said there was no way that she wanted MIL wearing the same color as the girls and not me.
Future SM wore Black and future SGM wore ivory, she wasn't too happy that she did that but didn't say anything out side of our small circle.

Talk to the brides mom, and talk to the bride. Oh, and check Ross, my dress was $40 and I will wear it again, it will be perfect for formal night on my 2 upcoming cruises later this year.

 

[Liberty Belle]

My MIL wore her usual black cloak and matching broom..........please destroy this post after reading.

My mom wore a maroon, navy, and hunter patterned dress and my MIL wore an emerald green suit. My wedding colors were plum and hunter green. It was the early 90's.

 

[Wendy31]

When I got married (18 years ago this month!), the color of my bridesmaids' dresses were wedgewood blue. The dresses were floor length, & the groomsmen wore black tuxedos.

My mother wore a knee-length light pink dress that a had a gauzy, flowy type skirt, & my mother-in-law wore a deep rose dressy suit. I didn't request any specific colors from either my mom or my mother-in-law, & I'm not sure they even consulted each other.

When my brother-in-law (DH's younger brother) got married in 2009, the bridesmaids wore short navy blue dresses, & the groomsmen wore gray tuxedos. My mother-in-law wore a gray dressy suit, & the bride's mother wore a deep purple-ish/grape knee-length cocktail type dress.

When my niece got married, her bridesmaids wore short champagne-colored dresses. My sister-in-law wore a bright green knee-length cocktail type dress, & I think, if I remember correctly, the mother of the groom wore either navy blue or black. I do remember thinking that her dress didn't "fit" the wedding very well - it was outdoors at a farm-type venue in the middle of July, &, to me, her dress was too somber & didn't coordinate very well w/ the bridesmaids or the mother of the bride - both in style & level of dressiness.

 

[VAfamily1998]

How formal the Mother of the Groom dresses, depends on how formal the wedding is, and I agree with a pp to ask the mother of the bride about her dress and try to follow with similar length, and a different, but complimentary color.

At my wedding, MIL didn't ask my mom about her dress...or me. She called up one day and told me that she had bought a navy blue dress to wear because that was the same color my bridesmaids wore. It annoyed me that she was trying to match my bridesmaids, but I already had SO many issues with her that I figured it was the least of my problems and just kept my mouth shut.

A few years ago my brother got married to a total bridezilla (they divorced 2 years later). Brides mother bought a lovely St. John's knit suit to wear--knee length skirt, jacket, in pale blue. My mom also bought a St. John's knit suit, also knee length, but in pink. Bridezilla FLIPPED OUT saying she would not allow my mom to wear that to the wedding because it was too similar to what her mom was wearing. True, they were both from the same maker and both knee length--but they not the same suit--different cut, one jacket zipped closed and the other had buttons, different colors, etc. It was insane, my ex-SIL's reaction!

 

[TLSnell1981]

My MIL wore her usual black cloak and matching broom..........please destroy this post after reading.

Nope..it's too good! Tag Fairy Alert!!!!

Traditionally, the mother of the groom should never wear black, white or red. My darling (yes, i truly adore her) DDIL chose spring colors, so I picked a soft blue dress.

 

[wishesuponastar]

My MIL wore black and I didn't like that very much. At the time she didn't like me

 

[mtemm]

my MIL wore a long white dress. she showed it to me and told me it was non-returnable. I was not particularly pleased, to be honest. it looked very much like a dress that would be perfect to be married in if you were in your 40s. In private I asked my dh if she planned to wear a veil with it, lol.

I love my MIL, but I really wished she had chosen something different.

my own mother had a hard time finding something and finally showed me a couple of different dresses. She loved one but was concerned because it was the same color (eggplant) as the bridesmaid colors. I figured if my mil could wear white, my mom would be fine matching the bridesmaids. lol.

At the end of the day it doesn't really matter, didn't change our relationship or anything. I hope to keep it in mind when my own boys get married, though.

 

[superme80]

I want to say my MIL wore a blue shirt and black dress pants, but I honestly do not remember. She and my mom looked great. I really didn't care what either of them wore. It was the least of my worries

 

[Fire14]

When I got married MIL was 50 ft under so no issues there. MY mother had heck of time finding dress to wear. Ended up with a maroon/purple colored dress with some sequins on top or on jacket I don't recall. I was cool with it and just freaken happy she found an outfit to wear. My dad wore Tux with tie ( spoiled Dad that he is) guys wore bow ties and vest in hunter green. Girls had hunter green dresses. I honestly didn't care what anybody wore as long as it was wedding good.

The tux shop drove me nuts, Call my mother who was 10 min from store and had local number, not me who was 5+ hrs away and trying to work 40+ hr weeks. They had my permission on multiple requests to speak with my mom.
My one BM has worn her dress several times. Other one I have no idea.

 

[Disney Doll]

My bridesmaids were in teal.
My mother wore a peach gown...simple lines with just some light beading scattered across the bodice.
My DMIL wore a teal and peach and coral floral very dressy suit, tea length.

Everybody coordinated nicely and looked to be the same degree of "dressiness".

Generally it would be good to ask the bride if she has any specifics that she wants you to follow. I'd also ask her what color her mother is going to be wearing, and if she is going to be wearing long or short. Then try to get a dress that sort of blends with the wedding colors overall. You don't want the girls and MOB to be in shades of purple for example and you show up in bright orange! Black is not necessarily terrible anymore, as long as the bride is OK with it. My DSisIL wore a beautiful black gown to her son's wedding 2 years ago...beaded bodice, flowy chiffon skirt and a chiffon jacket. She LOVES her DDIL, so it wasn't making a "statement"...it just happened to be the dress she fell in love with, was comfortable, & looked good on her. Her DDIL was fine with it. The MOB wore a navy tea length dress, aslo dressy. The bridesmaids were in a coral/coppery color. Very pretty.

And stay away from a long white gown with a beaded bodice. And no .

 

[Mazel]

I'm a Mother of the Bride and I can't figure out what to wear. It's an outdoor wedding. The bridesmaids are wearing short dresses, the groomsmen and groom are wearing grey suits.

My daughter keeps picking out long gowns for me. I've never met or spoke to her future mil. They live 2,000 miles away. My daughter said she's wear slacks and a blouse.

 

[crz4mm2]

When DS got married, DIL to be told me what color the bridesmaids' dresses were. I found a beautiful silk skirt and top that I thought would be beautiful.
Then she changed colors.

I ended up buying a skirt and top from Sam's club of all places!!! Had it altered, lining added, bought a beautiful shawl and walla!

I spent more for shoes that the whole rest of the outfit (including jewelry!).