What Colour Should The Mother Of The Groom Wear?

Mothers of the bride and mothers of the groom alike have a special day to look forward to, and you want to be dressed to perfection so that you feel confident and beautiful for the wedding day. Mothers of the groom can sometimes feel lost when it comes to choosing what colour dress to wear for the big day. Often the mother of the bride and the bridesmaids have the first choice of colours, and the mother of the groom has to work with what has already been chosen.

Knowing what colour the mother of the groom wears is the best way to ensure you fit in perfectly. The mother of the groom not only has the job of finding her dress, but must choose a colour that fits in with the mother of the bride's dress and the bridal party dresses. This guide focuses strictly on navigating mother of the groom colours, helping you select a palette that coordinates seamlessly with the bridal party.

Key Takeaways

• Coordinate your outfit palette with the official wedding theme and bridesmaid dresses.

• Select richer tones like emerald or navy for a classic, sophisticated look.

• Incorporate romantic tones like pink, rose gold, or sky blue for lighter wedding palettes.

• Steer clear of white, ivory, or cream to avoid traditional etiquette faux pas.

How Do You Coordinate Mother Of The Groom Colours With The Wedding Theme? 

In addition to complimenting the bridesmaid dress colours and the mother of the bride’s colours, the mother of the groom must also choose a dress that suits the theme of the wedding. Wedding colour schemes can be easy to follow or can be a little more niche. Either way, the mother of the groom must choose a dress colour that is not only appropriate but also suits her personal style and taste. Both mother of the bride and groom styles are becoming more modern, so it is important to find a style that balances between being appropriate while also being stylish and contemporary.

It can seem quite tough especially when you first start looking for dresses and colours to wear. We do recommend that the mother of the groom consults with not only the bride but also the mother of the bride to help assist with choosing the perfect shade for her son’s wedding day. It is also a great idea to send pictures of prospective choices to the bride, bridesmaids, or the mother of the bride to make the experience social and fun.

Don't leave deciding on a dress to the last minute. Explore our premium online range of mother of the bride and groom dresses today to secure a sophisticated silhouette in your perfect colour palette.

Why Is Classic Navy The Perfect Standard Choice?

The new little black dress is navy. Navy is a staple piece and a must-have for the wardrobe. A navy dress is the perfect colour for mothers of the grooms who want to look classic and timeless for the big day.

Navy will suit a mother of a groom who is standing next to a bridal party in blush tones or baby blue shades, particularly if the mother of the bride is wearing a luxurious emerald tone. Navy will always be a perfectly safe choice for a wedding, and as the mother of the groom, you will look gorgeous and chic in this shade. It offers a softening alternative to black while remaining exceptionally elegant in official family portraits.

When Should You Opt For Electric Emerald Tones?

If it isn’t navy, it’s emerald. Emerald tones are lush and luxurious, suiting many different skin tones and hair colours. An emerald dress is the perfect choice if the mother of the bride has already selected the colour navy, ensuring you both maintain completely distinct visual profiles.

Opting for this deep, saturated tone allows the mother of the groom to capture a classic yet modern look. It functions beautifully as a grounding tone that photographs exceptionally well without drawing unnecessary focus away from the couple.

How Do You Style Lighter, Romantic Moments?

If you prefer to opt for a more romantic tone, rose gold, a shade of pink, or a sky blue dress is the way to go. This is a perfect shade choice if the mother of the bride is wearing a mink coloured dress or a nude number.

Pink hues and soft blues will compliment perfectly with these lighter shades. If the bridesmaids are in chocolate or ruby tones, a soft pastel or metallic rose gold will ensure you look great in the shared family photographs. These lighter palettes bring a luminous, fresh energy to the wedding party. If you are preparing for an outdoor afternoon or morning ceremony, you can shop our curated pastel dresses to find a style that keeps the overall family aesthetic looking bright and unified.

What Colours Should The Mother Of The Groom Avoid? 

A couple of obvious etiquette rules would be to not wear anything white, ivory, or cream, as these shades are traditionally reserved for the bride. The only exception is if the couple holds an all-white wedding and explicitly instructs wedding guests to wear white.

You should also avoid any overly bright fluorescent or neon tones that will show up the bride or create a harsh contrast in group photographs. Highly distracting patterns should also be avoided in favour of more cohesive, elegant tones.

Transitioning From Palette To Formality 

Once you have selected a colour that flatters your skin tone and matches the bridal party, you can focus on finding the right structure for the event. For rules on timeline planning and consultation etiquette, read our comprehensive guide on what the mother of the groom should wear. 

 If you need to see exactly how your chosen shade adapts to specific event requirements and structures, see our piece on mother of the groom dresses for each dress code.

Ready to Complete Your Outfit?

Shop our complete range of mother of the bride and groom gowns to find your ideal design today. We offer fast express shipping across Australia to ensure you are completely ready for the big day.

Frequently Asked Questions

What colour does the mother of the groom wear?

The mother of the groom should wear a colour that complements the wedding theme, the bridesmaids, and the mother of the bride. Popular, elegant options include navy, emerald, rose gold, pastels, and soft metallics.

What are the most traditional mother of the groom colours?

Navy blue and sophisticated neutrals like silver or champagne are the most traditional choices. These tones are popular because they function as elegant neutrals that coordinate beautifully with almost any wedding theme.

Can the mother of the groom wear the same colour as the bridesmaids?

It is best to avoid wearing the exact same colour as the bridesmaids. Instead, choose a lighter or darker variation within the same colour family, or select a complementary neutral to keep the photos looking balanced.

How do I choose a colour that flatters my skin tone?

Determine if you have warm or cool undertones. Warm undertones look best in champagne, gold, and warm metallics, while cool undertones look radiant in navy, silver, slate grey, and crisp jewel tones.