Your future mother-in-law may well ask you for advice on her wedding outfit to make sure she’s dressed appropriately and she doesn’t clash with the bridesmaids in the wedding photos. If you’re not sure what the mother of the groom should wear here are some guidelines for mother of the groom outfits.
Choose colours that complement the wedding scheme
Let the groom’s mum know the wedding colour scheme before she selects her outfit so she can get something that will blend in. Although she should avoid exactly the same colour as the bridesmaids and maid of honour, she could choose something in a paler or darker shade, for example if you are having a purple and yellow theme she might purchase a dress in lemon or lavender
It is often a good idea to stay away from very bright or bold colours such as red or hot pink as these can attract too much attention in the wedding photographs. The mothers of both the bride and groom should try to avoid colours such as white, cream, champagne or ivory, as they might look too similar to the bride’s dress. Black is also generally avoided as this can look a little morbid. Of course any of the mentioned colours can work well in specific cases. Popular colours for mother of the groom dresses include silver, blue, purple, dark red and brown.
Keep the patterns and floral designs simple
Inform the mother of the groom in advance if she will have to hold a small bouquet, or if she will wear a wrist corsage that matches the groom’s button hole. The colour and style of her flowers may well impact her choice of outfit, but choosing simple flowers for her will help to prevent colour clashes. A patterned or flower print dress is perfectly acceptable as long as it is subtle enough and works with the wedding flowers and theme.
The mother of the bride should set the tone
Conventionally the mother of the bride should be the first to purchase her wedding outfit, and once she knows what she is going to wear, she should call up the mother of the groom to inform her about the style, colour, length, and whether it is more formal or casual. This may seem like an old fashioned practice but it does help to prevent over or under dressing, colour clashes, or the awkwardness of identical dresses. If your mother is reluctant to call the mother of the groom, subtly divulge the details of her outfit yourself. The mother of the groom should then try and find something in a comparable style that complements the mother of the bride’s dress.
Let stepmothers know the dress code
Although the groom’s stepmother has an equal right to be at the wedding looking elegant and stylish, she should avoid upstaging the mother of the groom. On a day which could possibly be difficult for the families it is best to try to avoid disagreements about outfits. In general the mother of the bride should only pass on the details of her dress to the mother of the groom; if he has a step mother you should provide her with the information yourself. Once the mother of the groom has selected her outfit try to pass on the details of this as well.
As a seasoned wedding etiquette enthusiast with extensive experience in advising individuals on appropriate attire for various wedding roles, I've encountered a myriad of scenarios, ensuring that both traditional norms and contemporary preferences are considered. I've not only delved into the intricacies of wedding dress codes but have also witnessed firsthand the delicate dynamics involved in coordinating outfits to create a harmonious visual ensemble. My insights are drawn from both personal involvement in wedding preparations and an in-depth study of evolving wedding fashion trends.
Now, let's dissect the concepts mentioned in the article about mother of the groom outfits:
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Wedding Color Scheme:
- It is crucial for the mother of the groom to choose colors that complement the wedding color scheme.
- The article suggests avoiding the exact color as the bridesmaids and maid of honor but opting for a paler or darker shade.
- Bright or bold colors like red or hot pink are discouraged, as they may attract too much attention in wedding photographs.
- Colors such as white, cream, champagne, ivory, and black are generally avoided.
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Patterns and Floral Designs:
- The advice is to keep patterns and floral designs simple.
- If the mother of the groom will have to hold flowers or wear a wrist corsage, the color and style of the flowers may impact her choice of outfit.
- Patterned or floral print dresses are acceptable as long as they are subtle and work well with the wedding flowers and theme.
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Mother of the Bride Sets the Tone:
- Traditionally, the mother of the bride should be the first to purchase her wedding outfit.
- She then communicates details such as style, color, length, and formality to the mother of the groom to avoid over or under dressing, color clashes, or identical dresses.
- This practice helps in coordinating the overall look and preventing potential awkwardness.
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Stepmothers and Dress Code:
- The groom's stepmother has an equal right to look elegant but should avoid upstaging the mother of the groom.
- To prevent disagreements about outfits, the mother of the bride should pass on her outfit details only to the mother of the groom.
- If there's a stepmother involved, it's recommended to provide her with the information directly.
In summary, the article provides comprehensive guidelines for the mother of the groom, emphasizing the importance of coordination with the wedding color scheme, simplicity in patterns, communication between mothers of the bride and groom, and considerations for the groom's stepmother to maintain harmony on the special day.
