Best Mother of the Bride Rehearsal Dinner Dresses

Rehearsal dinner Dresses for the Mother of the Bride

As the Mother of the Bride, you have a key role to play in the wedding proceedings and a lot of eyes are going to be on you

Whether guests are coming over to tell you how pleased they are for the happy couple at the rehearsal dinner, or watching to see if you’ll shed a tear during the speeches.

If you feel your best you’ll be able to focus on being present and enjoying every second of your daughter’s (or son’s) wedding.

Best of all, as the Mother of the Bride you have the freedom to wear whatever dress best expresses you and highlights your best assets for the rehearsal dinner. So, what’s the best way to find the perfect dress?

Rehearsal Dinner Attire For The Mother Of The Bride

Don’t worry – if you hate trawling the mall looking for the perfect dress, we have a much better solution: just head online!

It’s super easy to shop online while you watch TV or relax with a glass of wine and order a dress or a few dresses that suit your style and budget. If it doesn’t fit, just return it! There’s no need to do the hot and sweaty changing cubicle struggle in store after store.

Below we’ll cover a few FAQs we get about Mother of the Bride rehearsal dinner dresses and then we’ll share our top 5 picks of great Mother of the Bride dresses for you to choose from.

Mother Of The Bride Rehearsal Dinner Dress Options To Avoid

Steer clear of anything too tight, short, or cut too low in the front, but any dress that makes you feel amazing in all the right places and that you look stunning in will always be a winner!

What Should The Mother Of The Bride Wear to a Rehearsal Dinner?

This depends a little on the scale and theme or style of your daughter’s wedding, but you should aim to be just a step-down on the scale of how dressed-up they are.

Unless the wedding is particularly informal or intimate, a semi-formal dress or pantsuit and blouse will always be appropriate.

Finding and buying your rehearsal dinner dress can be straightforward, but you need to know what you can eliminate from your options at a glance.

How To Choose The Perfect Mother Of The Bride Rehearsal Dinner Dress

Before you go any further, ask yourself these questions to make sure you choose the perfect rehearsal dinner dress from our options below.

Where is the rehearsal dinner doing to be?

Are you outside, under cover, or inside? Is the space air-conditioned or not? Will you be traveling far from where you got ready? (If so, will you need a cardigan or light jacket that goes with it to take with you in case you get cold?)

What’s the weather going to be like?

If it’s winter you’ll want something that offers you a little more coverage or pairs well with a jacket. If it’s hot, you’ll want to choose a breathable, light fabric that will keep you from getting sweaty.

Is the rehearsal dinner taking place in the afternoon, early evening, or later at night?

The perfect rehearsal dinner dress will be very different for an early afternoon lunch sitting outside to one that is inside the hotel and doesn’t start until eight.

How “dressy” is it going to be?

Some intimate weddings and destination weddings will keep things relatively casual, while dinner in a high-end restaurant will require a dress that is almost as formal as your dress for the big day.

Fashionable clothing with sustainable and ethical manufacturing.

Karen Kane: VIP Sale – 20% Off With Code VIP20

Price matching, free returns, curbside pickup, and top brands.

Nordstrom is one of our favorite places to look for wedding attire. They have beautiful dresses in tons of different styles. Their name brand selection gives you the options to try on things you normally wouldn’t. Nordstrom online and in store option is really helpful for finding sizes and colors you want. The staff is really helpful with helping you find what you want, and their styles are always up to date so you will always look good. It is a one stop shop if you are also looking for accessories or shoes.

Try select dresses on with Prime Wardrobe before you buy.

Amazon has it all. It has the size and color variety that everyone wishes to attine. They will give you high end options and casual options. You can find name brand or less known brands. If you’re not sure what you are looking for then start with amazon to see all the options. They are unmatched when it comes to size inclusive brands. We love amazon because prime will get it to you quickly, and if you do have any problems then customer support will help you, and returns are easy. Most importantly, the customer reviews will be a lifesaver. The main worry is the quality and how it looks on the body, and the customer reviews will save your time if you check them out and see what others say about it.

Payment plans and financing available for affordable wedding attire.

Davids Bridal is a must on the list of places to look for dresses. Not only is the staff team there going to go above and beyond to help you, but any style or size questions you have they will answer. They can suggest what style looks best for your body type, or even help you out with what is appropriate for the dress code. Davids Bridals is known for their dresses, and specifically the ones you wear to a wedding. You should absolutely check out their selection and use the staff’s help if you still need options.

“This is the PERFECT evening dress! I spent nearly 10 months searching for a pretty, simple and flattering dress to wear to my niece’s wedding.”

A COMFORTABLE AND ELEGANT MOCK DRESS WITH ¾ SLEEVES

This mock-dress is sophisticated, classy, and perfect for Mother’s of the Bride of any age. The lace and sequin top has ¾ length sleeves and fits your shape without being tight and constricting. The flowing skirt is full-length but very wearable and comfortable for a dinner.

This dress has over 340 positive reviews and comes in 13 colors, ranging from Taupe and Champagne to Midnight and Black and White. It comes in size 6 to 18 in both regular and petite lengths.

“I wore this for my daughters wedding. It was very comfortable! Dress is made well. Danced in it without a problem.

ATTENTION-GRABBING WHERE IT COUNTS AND PERFECT FOR FORMAL DINNERS

If you’re looking for something classy and comfortable for a formal rehearsal dinner you won’t go wrong with this long A-Line dress. With beautiful beading all around the neckline and cuffs, it is the perfect solution for those who want to look glamorous without a lot of work.

While this dress is beautiful all the way down to the ankle, the area that will show above the table is where it really shines.

Available in 15 colors and sizes 4 – 18 in both regular and petite, this dress is perfect for formal rehearsal dinners.

“This dress is perfect for Mothers of the Bride who want something simple.”

BUDGET-FRIENDLY AND FORM-FITTING WITH A SLEEVELESS & FLATTERING CUT

Looking for something a little more youthful or form-fitting? This dress is perfect for the Mother of the Bride who want something simple, on a budget, but that will help them look a million dollars.

The sleeveless look is flattering on women of any size, the cross-cut neckline is flattering without being too low cut, and pencil waist helps make your waist look as small as possible.

This dress is available in 16 colors, sizes S-XXL, and has over 1,200 positive ratings, so it’s a great choice if you’re looking for a dress to wow without breaking the bank!

“I really love this dress. It is very flattering- I’ve received many compliments.”

A BEAUTIFUL SET PERFECT FOR AUTUMN AND WINTER WEDDINGS AND MATURE LADIES

This mock dress and jacket set is perfect for weddings in colder climates and for mature ladies who would like the option of staying covered up while looking and feeling great.

The waist has a cut that pulls in to a center button, and the sequins are arranged in beautiful sweeping lines.

This set is available in sizes 6 – 18 in regular and petite lengths and comes in Navy, Pewter/Frost which is a lovely dusty pink color, and steel blue.

“The flowing chiffon hangs beautifully, without any excess fabric and looks incredibly classy. “

A BEAUTIFUL PANTSUIT PERFECT FOR THOSE WHO DON’T WANT TO WEAR A DRESS

Not every Mother of the Bride wants to wear a dress, and if that’s you this 3-piece pantsuit is perfect. The flowing chiffon hangs beautifully, without any excess fabric and looks incredibly classy. Pair it with your favorite pieces of jewelry to really make the outfit pop.

The Taupe color is particularly beautiful, but it also comes in 5 other dusky colors, from dark grey to lilac. If you’re looking for something that looks stunning and classy while being as comfortable to wear as your nightwear, this is it.

PERFECT LENGTH FOR A MOTHER OF THE BRIDE DRESS

This dress is the perfect length for a mother of the bride dress, and it has a beautiful pattern. It also looks amazing and gives that perfect boho look. It is light and will keep you nice and cool and comfortable for the rehearsal dinner. It also has a nice slit up the side to give a little more structure to the way the dress falls, and it is a cute leg moment. This dress will make you look and feel beautiful without having to suffer with how hot it makes you.

SLEEK BLACK, NAVY, OR RED MOTHER OF THE BRIDE REHEARSAL DINNER DRESS OPTION

This dress is a little more formal and it is a sleek black wrap look. It is offered in all sizes which is great because it is a dress you could wear again and again. This dress sinches in all the right places and is a good length that is not too short or too long. If you want a little black dress for the rehearsal dinner then this dress is perfect for you, and it will be easy to accessorize and add more if it is not fancy enough.

“Wearing this gown to my son’s wedding in June…. love the subtle sparkle on the bodice and the way the skirt flows when I walk. Very comfortable and easy to move in.”

A GREAT FORMAL GOWN OPTIONS

This gown is perfect for a more formal type of rehearsal dinner. It is stunning and looks so beautiful. The A-line shape really compliments it, and the person who is wearing it will always look good. The satin going down the body always makes for a flattering picture, and will keep you comfortable throughout the day. It is a grey color, if you want a light color, but not white, then grey is a perfect option for you.

Beautiful blush color that is great for the mother of the bride!

This dress is a beautiful blush color that is great for the mother of the bride. We love that this dress comes with a jacket as well to give you the option if you are cold or just looking for modesty. This dress is beautiful and will look amazing on. It is not too long or too short, and it is really easy to accessorize because of how glittery the dress is. It is a great option to try, and a beautiful color.

What should the mother of the groom wear to rehearsal dinner?

Deciding on Mother of the groom rehearsal dinner attire can be a difficult decision leading up to the wedding day itself. Often, the rehearsal dinner is a fairly formal affair, but if the bride and groom have opted for a more paired down rehearsal dinner then finding a Casual rehearsal dinner outfit for mother of the groom should be high on your list.

Mother of the bride and indeed mother of the groom rehearsal dinner dress shopping takes a little patience but by taking your shopping online you will be able to find many options fit for all sizes and shapes that are in keeping with the feel of the rehearsal dinner.

Can the mother of the bride wear white to rehearsal dinner?

In short, no! At any point during the wedding its best to steer clear from anything that could be seen as looking ‘too white’ and in bad taste by looking too bridal.

The perfect Mother of the bride rehearsal dinner dress will be something that matches the feel of the dinner, and also one that makes the wearer feel comfortable and confident in anticipation of the wedding.

Try glam colors that are a little out of your comfort zone, we love jewels tones such as deep purples and greens to help you stand out and look great without being too overpowering. You could also opt to kick things up a notch by adding glam accessories to your outfit.

Does the mother of the bride go to the rehearsal dinner?

The mother of the bride is traditionally always invited to the rehearsal dinner as they are an integral part of the wedding day itself. The rehearsal dinner is a great time to meet and greet the new family and enjoy a meal surrounded by family new and old.

So, the real question is, what Mother of the bride rehearsal dinner attire should you choose? Rehearsal dinners are traditionally a more formal affair so be prepared to choose a mother of the bride rehearsal dinner outfit that is more dressy than you may normally wear.

Who gets invited to rehearsal dinner?

The rehearsal dinner is a time for those in the bridal party itself to relax and spend time together the evening before the wedding, traditionally after the wedding rehearsal itself.

The people that should always be invited are parents of the bride and groom, bridesmaids, groomsmen, the officiant and their partner (if married) and the family of the flowergirl and ringbearer.

Often couples may choose to invite siblings if they are not taking part in the wedding itself and often, if some guests are travelling out of town, then its kind to extend the invite to them, but this is absolutely not an obligation.

As destination weddings have become more and more popular its not unusual for all the wedding guests to be together the evening before the wedding.

In cases like this, you might want to consider putting on a more relaxed BBQ style dinner for all the guests and foregoing a traditional rehearsal dinner, but again, this is not an obligation, just something to think about, in which case the dress code will be different again to your traditional rehearsal dinner attire.

What is the etiquette for the mother of the bride at rehearsal dinner?

Usually, the rehearsal dinner is seen as more of a formal affair with attendants wearing almost black tie style clothing. In recent years a more Casual rehearsal dinner outfit for mother of the bride is becoming more appropriate, along with the whole rehearsal dinner event itself.

Speak to your daughter beforehand about her plans for the rehearsal dinner and how she envisages the dress code to avoid any embarrassing etiquette slip ups. As an easy starting point, look online to see how your favorite styles are translated into an evening appropriate style.

Sometimes this is as simple as adding accessories or a slick of bright lipstick.

What are the responsibilities of the mother of the bride during the rehearsal dinner?

Traditionally, it’s the duty of the mother of the groom to plan and host the rehearsal dinner, which means it’s the mother of the brides chance to sit down and enjoy being hosted by your son-in-law to be’s family, but times are changing!

Whilst the mother of the bride traditionally does not need to help with hosting, we suggest getting in contact and offering your help with anything, because, after all, they may be feeling the pressure.

On the evening itself, arrive on time and focus on making the other guests and family members feel comfortable. Mother of the bride rehearsal dinner attire on the evening can be formal or casual depending on where the dinner is being held but the most important thing is that you feel comfortable and confident to assist you in your duties on the night.

Can the mother of the groom wear black to rehearsal dinner?

From an etiquette point of view, black is a tricky one, as it can be seen as a color of mourning. However, in more modern weddings it’s seen as a chic and flattering statement. When it comes to mother of the bride rehearsal dinner attire, because of the more formal tone, it’s easy to wear black and accessorize so your outfit is chic and understated fitting in with the black tie style that many rehearsal dinners follow.

Find The Perfect Mother Of The Bride Rehearsal Dinner Dress Today

Shopping for your rehearsal dinner dress as a mother of the bride or groom doesn’t have to be complicated, and while it’s important to look put-together, that doesn’t mean you have to wear something complicated or uncomfortable.

Our top picks are as comfortable as they are classy, and that’s definitely what you should be looking for in your dress.

Not sure what to wear on the big day? Check out our complete guide to picking the perfect mother of the bride dress for your daughter’s wedding day!