Mother of the Bride Dresses
Sherri Hill mother of the bride dresses are mostly floor-length gowns in satin, sequins, beading, lace and floral prints, plus a long-sleeve lace cocktail dress, for evening, formal and garden weddings. Many styles come in several colors, some in more than a dozen, so it's easy to choose a shade that complements the wedding party. Try styles on at an authorized retailer near you.
About Mother of the Bride Dresses
Mother of the Bride Dresses
Choosing a mother of the bride dress can be a bit of a daunting task since there’s so much to consider, and it’s a dress you’re going to be looking at in photos for years to come. It can be helpful to collaborate with your daughter when choosing your mother of the bride look; it may even be a fun respite from all the wedding planning!
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To ease some of the stress, we recommend shopping for your mother of the bride dress after your daughter has purchased her wedding dress, for maximum look cohesion between the two of you. You may also want to keep the bridesmaids’ dresses in mind; your daughter may want you in a color complementary to theirs, or something from the wedding palette.
Mother of the bride dresses have a reputation for not being stylish, but we think that one of the most special guests at the wedding deserves a special dress! Shop Sherri Hill’s 2026 mother of the bride collection to find your perfect look without compromising style and flair.
Light Mother of the Bride Dresses
A light mother of the bride dress is perfect for those daytime spring and summer wedding ceremonies. Mother of the bride dresses summer styles may include pastel florals in breezy fabrics, whereas spring looks may be a bit more structured. Solid pastel colored dresses, like dress 57950, have a touch more elevation while still maintaining a whimsical look.
Since your dress can be a little more glamorous than the average wedding guest, metallics can be appropriate as long as they’re not overly flashy. Gold mother of the bride dresses can perfectly complement a wedding color palette, incorporating dusty rose or teal.
When choosing a light mother of the bride dress, the number one bit of advice we have is don’t wear anything close to white unless you’ve specifically been asked to by the bride.
Dark Mother of the Bride Dresses
Dark mother of the bride dresses are perfect for evening or more formal ceremonies. Mother of the bride dresses in black or deep blue in tone like dress 56228, are the most formal colors you can choose. If the wedding is going to be a black tie or white tie event, these are likely your color options unless told otherwise by the bride.
For ceremonies that are a little less formal, jewel tones like burnt orange, muted fuchsia, cobalt, and dark green mother of the bride dresses are on the table. You can also go with a printed dress in dark colors, as long as it’s sophisticated.
Keep in mind not to go too dark if the ceremony doesn’t call for it. Black mother of the bride dresses may look too severe at a garden party; instead, try a darker shade of purple, blue, or green.
Short Mother of the Bride Dresses
A short mother of the bride dress is a great option for more casual or semi-formal weddings taking place in the warmer months. These dresses can be dressed up a bit with the right jewelry and shoe choices; think demure over statement pieces.
If you’re choosing a short mother of the bride dress, you may want to consider a look with sleeves or a high neckline to balance the shorter hem.
Again, unless specifically asked, you likely won’t want to go above your knees in terms of dress hemline. A mini mother of the bride dress will likely not be formal enough for most weddings. To get a similar effect while still having a longer dress, you can try a dress with a slit, like style 55733.
Long Mother of the Bride Dresses
A long mother of the bride dress is typically going to be your best option. Long mother of the bride dresses are elegant and exude an air of sophistication, which is definitely what you want on your daughter’s big day. Mother of the bride long dresses are also likely to be more versatile pieces if you’re looking to wear this dress to other events.
When looking at silhouettes for a long mother of the bride dress, you’ll want to keep your comfort in mind. If you know you don’t like a super form-fitting look, you’re almost certainly not going to fall in love with a dress like that for such an important day. You’ll also want to take how well you can dance and move into account when choosing your dress.
If the wedding ceremony is less formal, maxi mother of the bride dresses still have a place. Opt for lighter colors or prints, like style 55617, to bring down the formality of your dress. You can also add statement jewelry to a darker dress if you need to dress it down a bit.
Elegant Mother of the Bride Dresses for the Big Day
Shopping for mother of the bride dresses can be tricky because there’s so much to consider, but if you can take it slowly and weigh your options, it’ll be less stressful. Sherri Hill’s mother of the bride collection balances tastefulness with red carpet glam in a range of colors that can suit any wedding palette.
Mother of the Bride Dresses Questions
What color should the mother of the bride wear?
A color that complements the wedding palette, such as a shade lighter or deeper than the bridesmaids' color. Avoid white and ivory, and ask the bride before you buy. See the full mother of the bride dress guide.
When should the mother of the bride buy her dress?
After the bride has chosen her gown and the bridesmaids' colors, ideally several months before the wedding, so there's time for ordering and alterations.
What sizes do these dresses come in?
Sherri Hill styles come in US sizes 000 to 26, depending on the style, so check each style's page for its size range. Measure your bust, waist and hips and compare them to the Sherri Hill size chart. Use Find A Store to locate an authorized retailer.