Time was when wearing white or ivory if you were mother of the bride or groom was a complete no, no. Only the bride would be in white, a symbol of her virtue, standing out in a sea of colour. But now the rule book has been thrown out – and as long as the bride is happy for her mother to wear ivory, cream or champagne – there is no reason to hold back from making this choice.
Ivory and black suit by Elizabeth Bessant couture
My advice would be to opt for a neutral shade rather than white as this is generally more flattering.
And avoid choosing exactly the same shade or fabric as your daughter’s wedding dress unless you are doing it to make a conscious statement of unity.
I have made cream and champagne outfits for many of my mother of the bride clients and it is always very successful.
When Lorrie came to see me for a mother of the groom outfit for her son’s wedding, I made her a cream silk empire line dress and a jacket with frills around the neckline as well as cuffs on the three-quarter length sleeves – both were piped with chocolate silk. This detail was echoed with chocolate pearls along the empire seam of the dress and around the seam of the jacket cuffs. Silk bows on the cuffs and front fastening finished this look.
Dress, jacket and hat by Elizabeth Bessant couture
Another mother of the bride, Moy, wanted the same dress and jacket but in cream.
She chose a narrow shawl collar on the jacket with a blue silk piped edge and blue covered buttons.
The detailing was unique to each outfit and unique to each client…
But sometimes my mother of the bride or groom clients wear ivory or white for different reasons.
Carla, one of my brides, wanted all her female guests to wear white.
I made her a deep red gown for her Pagan wedding as she wanted to stand out in a sea of white outfits.
The men wore black – making for some really dramatic photos.
Lea, mother of groom wearing Elizabeth Bessant couture
When Lea came to see me she also wanted a white outfit for her son’s wedding but this time it was because the bride had requested all the women wear white for her Art Deco wedding. For this event again the men wore black suits.
But most of my clients who choose ivory or champagne for their daughter’s wedding do so simply because it is a flattering colour that they feel confident wearing. It is sophisticated – and looks timeless in the photos.
My advice would be whether you are mother of the bride or mother of the groom don’t make a decision to wear a shade of white without consulting the bride first… and if she would prefer you to stay away from the bridal shades try an eggshell, pale grey or a soft pink instead.
