Mother-of-the-Bride Dresses That Wowed at Weddings

We've always heard that mother knows best, and if these mothers of the bride—and mothers of the groom!—are any indication, that adage rings true, especially when it comes to their own wedding style. Whether the celebration is black-tie formal or beachy cool, these sophisticated, polished dresses are proof that the mother of the bride knows how to pull together a pretty incredible look for their daughter's nuptials. Plus, with all the time she's likely invested in the big day (and so many other days leading up to it!), she certainly deserves to look and feel her absolute best.

Not sure where to start with your search for that picture-perfect mother-of-the-bride dress? Have no fear—we have some ideas. To inspire your mom's own pick, we've rounded up a collection of gowns that real mothers wore on the big day. From neutral off-white numbers to bold, punchy, and fashion-forward designs, there's something here that will suit her fancy.

Of course, there's more to your mom's dress than just the pretty details. You want her to feel comfortable on the big day—especially when it's time for wedding photos. With a gorgeous gown of her own, she'll feel confident as she walks down the aisle, smiles for a picture, and spins her way onto the dance floor. Ready to see these inspirational fashions for yourself? Grab your mom and get scrolling.

This bride's mom escorted her down the aisle in a floor-length golden gown with a floral overlay. 

Both the mother of the bride and the mother of the groom chose striking gowns with embellishment and illusion necklines for this outdoor celebration. 

A matching white choker topped off this mother-of-the-bride's look, which was also complemented by a chic low bun.

This proud mother wore a traditional and ornate lace sari and accessorized with bright statement jewelry.

This mom's knee-length patterned dress perfectly matched the mood of her child's outdoor wedding venue.

A patterned magenta "gele," a traditional Nigerian head tie, and matching sash ensured that this mother of the bride stood out beside her daughter.

For the mom who likes to look put together and modern, a jumpsuit in slate gray is sure to wow.

This mother of the bride donned a beautiful light gray gown with an illusion neckline brimming with beautiful beaded detailing. 

For her daughter's art-filled Washington, D.C., wedding, this mother of the bride (left), donned a quirky, multi-patterned Oscar de la Renta gown. The bride's aunt was just as fashionable in a Reem Acra number with lace and sheer ruffles.

The champagne colored ankle-length wrap dress looks stunning on this mother of the bride. 

This bride's mother donned a gorgeous sari for her daughter's wedding. The entire look was the perfect match for the couple's tradition-filled day.

This mom chose a royal blue gown with an illusion neckline and a floral overlay for a striking big-day look. 

This mom also wore Nigerian attire, and paired her lace wrap dress with a chartreuse gele.

Pink anemones and blue and yellow wildflower buds accented this pretty black dress worn by the mother of the bride.

One mom's blush attire looked beautiful against these two brides' romantic wedding dresses.

The beaded metallic tassels on this glimmering gown really came into play when this mom took the dance floor.

A voluminous looped bow brought major drama to a structured magenta number worn by the mother of the bride. 

In a cerulean gown with 3D florettes, this beaming mom was her daughter's something blue.

This mom wore a traditional hanbok with floral and geometric embroidery to her daughter's California ranch wedding.

From the trumpet cut to the swirled-lace embroidery and the sheer bow at the back, this mom's slate gown was all about the details.

We loved how this mom's green satin gown subtly matched the shape of her daughter's lace wedding dress.

A dainty necklace prettily mimicked the scoop neckline on her blush pink dress.

With cap sleeves and an illusion neckline, this fitted blue beauty was perfect for this D.C. wedding's hostess.

Peach, crimson, and gold brought punchy color to a traditional Indian sari.

With palm leaf décor and lots of vines, green was a main theme throughout this charming and colorful South Carolina celebration. The bride's mother clearly had the color palette in mind when she chose this jade lace dress.

Her strapless and blush pink gown, with textured floral details and an embellished belt, had this mom smiling from ear to ear.

For blogger Jenny Bernheim's fancy rehearsal dinner, her mother wore a Carmen Marc Valvo dress, complete with a beaded illusion cut-out.

The best part of this punchy gown wasn't the colorful rose print—it was the pockets!

Sweet beading and a subtle side slit brought intrigue to this neutral number.

This mother of the bride wore a white tunic and skirt for a boho-chic ensemble. 

A navy cut-out overlay added a cool geometric pattern to a blush pink skirt.

The mother of the bride's Oscar de la Renta gown was such a hit, it actually inspired the bridesmaids' bouquets. "Not by accident," added bride Madelyn.

A red lace Erdem dress, embroidered with pink and crimson blooms, paired perfectly with this fashionable mom's half-up, half-down hairstyle.

Isn't a smile the best accessory? This glammed up mother of the bride looked absolutely amazing in a black gown with a V-neckline and knee-high slit as she headed down the aisle before the bride's processional.

This mother of the bride escorted her daughter down the aisle in a light blue stunning halter dress.

How sweet is this stolen mother-daughter moment? This mom's gown featured a striped off-the-shoulder neckline that was a beautiful complement to the bride's own wedding dress.

A gold and cream gown (paired with statement-making gold earrings) looked great on this mother of the groom as she and her son swayed to Louis Armstrong's "What a Wonderful World."

An aquamarine sari, embroidered with gold florals, looked lovely with a lei.

The mother of the bride and the mother of the groom both looked extra lovely on the big day, beaming together in their neutral dresses.

A folded off-the-shoulder bodice floor-length gown is a luxe choice for a black-tie affair.

For the formal Southern garden wedding of Susan Sarandon's oldest child, Eva Amurri, the actress turned to designer Lela Rose to make a knee-length charcoal dress that complemented the bride's with a similar lace neckline.

"When it comes to fashion," the bride Annie said, "I look up to my mom," who wore a traditional hanbok to the black-tie garden party at Beverly Hills's Greystone Mansion.

The best-dressed couple at this easygoing outdoor celebration in Athens, Georgia, was the bride and groom. But this pair also earned the distinction. The groom's dad donned a Jos. A. Bank suit, and his mother chose a floral dress in a complementary color.

This mother-of-the-groom's shimmery brocade sleeveless dress with a draped neckline suited every part of this Pebble Beach fête, including the mother-son dance to Josh Groban's "You Raise Me Up."

The bridesmaids at this at-home Kentucky wedding sparkled in gold-sequined mini dresses. "I wanted my girls to have fun," the bride said of the choice. The other woman who also had fun? Her mom, who similarly sparkled in a gold silk dupioni floor-length skirt suit.

Carrie Crowell had come across the silk dress that her mom, country singer Rosanne Cash, wore at her 1995 wedding to Carrie's stepfather. "I said right then I would wear it one day," she recalled. "I love the tradition of generations of women in the same wedding gown." She adorned the back of the gown and the headpiece with fabric flowers for her big day—similar ones embellished the waistline of Rosanne's own long ensemble.

For this romantic wedding at Brooklyn's Wythe Hotel, the bride's mother selected a short-sleeved, full-length teal dress. "She bought it on a whim and ended up winning," the bride said.

A dream dress doesn't have to be for the bride alone. To make hers, mom JoJo Cohen turned to her close friend, the late designer L'Wren Scott. Her mother, Rita, opted for this champagne-hued gown that was equally as ethereal.

"We wanted to whisk away our guests into a fairy tale," this bride said about her intimate destination wedding at an 18th-century palace on the cliffs of Positano. For her, that included a couture Karen Sabag ball gown fit for a princess. For her mother, it involved a beaded silver dress fit for a queen.