What Should the Mother of the Groom Wear?

Being the mother of the groom can be a tricky spot. You want to be involved in your son's wedding, but want to avoid stepping on anyone's toes.
There are a few etiquette rules to follow when picking out your attire, but communication with the bride and her mother are key.

Tradition

Tradition states that you allow the mother of the bride to pick her outfit first. Then you pick yours to complement hers.

Color Selection

Ideally you want to pick a color that compliments both the attire of the mother of the bride and the bridesmaids, but avoid matching exactly, unless the bride has requested this.

Colors to Avoid

Above all you should avoid anything in the white or ivory color family, as this may insult the bride. You should also avoid black because it is associated with mourning, and red due to its flashiness.

Wearing Pants

Although traditionally both mothers wear dresses, pants are an acceptable alternative so long as they are not too casual.

Wedding's Style

When debating on exactly what style of dress to wear, in addition to the mother of the bride's dress, keep in mind the type of wedding being held. You would dress much more casually for an outdoor afternoon wedding with a cake and champagne reception than you would an evening wedding with a sit-down dinner reception.

References

• Mother of the Groom: Attire Etiquette Q&A
• Responsibilities of the Mother of the Groom

Resources

• Dress Etiquette for the Mother of the Groom