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Before you go shopping, it is important to set a few ground rules for yourself concerning the color of the outfit you are looking for. First, under no circumstances should you wear a white dress (unless the wedding is an all-white theme). This is considered an etiquette faux pas, particularly for the mother of the bride, because the mother should not overshadow the bride, and the color white is strictly reserved for the bride on her wedding day.
Additionally, caution should be taken in purchasing a black ensemble. Some attendees may misconstrue this color choice as an indicator the mother is not happy about the marriage. However, for a night or very formal wedding, black can be an appropriate choice if the bride gives her consent.
Another color that tends to be controversial is red, which may add too much contrast against the bride wearing white. Again, keep in mind the wedding's level of formality and the bride's consent. -
A mother of the bride looks best in a color that is complementary to the bride's dress. In doing this, she matches the overall theme and tenor of the wedding itself. A good rule of thumb is to select a color that may be similar to the color of the bridesmaids' dresses.
For example, if the bridesmaids' dresses are lavender, a mother of the bride could select an outfit in plum, lilac or light blue.
Another good rule of thumb is to select something in a neutral color, such as taupe, brown or navy. - While wearing a neutral color may not seem exciting or fashionable, keep in mind that the most lasting element of the wedding (in addition to the marriage) is the photographs. Selecting a classic, neutral color prevents the mother of the bride from being a fashion victim for years to come. So even if bubblegum pink is the color of the season, remember that it may not be in five years.
