Wedding & Special Occasion Outfits for the Mother of the Bride or Groom 

A wedding day is a one of a kind occasion.

There's an etiquette for what to wear at weddings and other special days, and if you follow it, you're sure to feel comfortable in whatever clothing you choose.

Putting together your outfit is something most women love, from finding the initial dress or suit, to accessorising with bags, jewellery and a hat.  What woman doesn't love shopping for new clothing?!

Mother of the Bride Wedding Outfits

The time of year that the wedding takes place will determine the style & fabric of dress and the type of outfit that you choose.

For a winter wedding, you'll want to ensure that you keep warm whilst still remaining stylish & elegant. So a long sleeved dress teamed with a jacket could work well, as could a pant suits or a co-ordinating skirt and jacket.

Summer weddings allow you to wear pretty styles of dresses, smart suits and elegant formal evening gowns.

You'll find formal wear in big department stores or sometimes your local bridal shop will stock a range of styles and sizes.  In some larger towns & cities, there's even stores that specialise in clothing for mothers of the bride & groom, often selling designer names such as Paule Vasseur or other names that offer classic tailoring, silks and occasion wear.

The brides mother usually wears the most formal outfit of all the guests, setting the tone of the style of clothing, as well as the groom , best man and ushers or groomsmen.

There's also an etiquette for what the grooms mother wears, which is important to follow, for both your comfort and that of the bride and groom.

Footwear can often make or break an outfit, but can often be forgotten.  Once bought, make sure that you will be comfortable wearing them for several hours, or wear them in gently around your home.

Certainly you're going to want to feel fabulous, so don't skimp on spending time shopping for just the right style and color, making sure that you've teamed up all the right accessories to create the right look & feel.

Wedding Guest Outfit Ideas

As weddings tend to be formal occasions, unless the bride has chosen a beach wedding, formal attire is expected to be worn.

As a guest, some people are happy to afford to buy a new dress for a friends wedding, it's still worth choosing a style or design that you'll be happy to wear to a less formal event.

One way to make a good purchase is to buy something that you can wear again and jazz it up with some funky accessories.

When you're on a budget, it's time to visit your wardrobe and see if there's any dresses that you could dress up with a simple jacket, bolero or wrap. If you can borrow them from someone your size, and simply have them dry cleaned, that will save money too.

A simple way to make an a-line style dress look more formal is to add a simple corsage or floral adornment. Adding a scarf can also create a new look for an existing outfit.

Anniversary Celebrations & Special Occasions

So are those special wedding anniversaries, especially silver, gold, pearl, ruby and diamond, and deserve a little celebration.

Whatever the special event or party, it's important to look your best - so, a little preparation will ensure that you're ready in good time.

One of the most important things to discover is what sort of occasion it will be - formal, semi formal or simply casual. If you've received an invitation, this should help to give you some idea, failing that, just ask about what other guests will be wearing.

These can vary from a casual party to a formal evening occasion. The style of the invitation and the type of event will help you choose the appropriate clothing style.

Some parties will need comfortable dress for dancing, whilst others will expect formal clothing for enjoying canapés and champagne.

Whatever the style, check with your host or fellow guests if you're unsure of the right style of dress.

Recommended Resources

Finding the Perfect Women's Cocktail Dress - the classic look for any party or celebration

Fabulous Formal Evening Gowns - choose from elegant gowns to designer dresses