Mother of the Bride Beach Wedding Attire

From LoveToKnow Weddings

Picking out an appropriate mother of the bride beach wedding dress can be difficult for any mom. After all, you want to look your best on your daughter’s big day in an age appropriate, lightweight and stylish mother of the bride gown.

Brides want their moms to look great, too!

Gown Considerations

Choosing a mother of the bride dress usually means taking into consideration the color and cut of the bridesmaid dresses and the overall feel of the wedding itself. Beach weddings, however, pose a few extra questions that you will need to find the answers to before purchasing that special dress:

What time of year is it? Sometimes beaches can get chilly in the evenings, especially at receptions later in the night. Conversely, afternoon weddings in the heat of the summer sun will be hot and possibly humid.
Will the reception be held outside or inside? Air conditioned indoor receptions provide a different environment than outdoors.
Is there a lot of wind off the particular waters at the destination beach? Super lightweight fabrics may blow in the breeze, revealing more than you intended.
What is the formality of the wedding/wedding party? Although a beach wedding might sound informal or even casual, many are swanky black-tie affairs.

Your gown should not only compliment the style of the day but also your husband or significant other’s fashion. If he is not wearing a tuxedo, have him choose a silk shirt for a beach wedding that matches the color of your ensemble. Color coordination will look elegant in photographs, regardless of the formality of the wedding.

Mother of the Bride Beach Wedding Dress Options

As the 21st century continues, the old "rules" for dressing mothers of the bride and groom seem to be disappearing. As mature women often look better and better the older they get, there is no need for them to cover their arms or not show their knees just because they hit a particular age.

That being said, you should still wear body and age appropriate clothing that accentuates a single best feature. A knee-skimming sheath with bolero jack will show off great gams, while an off-the shoulder neckline will highlight great shoulders and collarbone. Save any miniskirts and plunging necklines, even if you can pull them off, for another occasion.

Colors should be complimentary to the bridal party. An accent color found in the wedding flowers is a great option for your dress color. Light colors, like pastel blues, greens and pinks, and beiges are great options. Avoid dresses in all white, ivory and off-white. Black, navy or deep purple are appropriate for elegant evening weddings, though you may want to check with your daughter to be sure.

Formal Beach Dress Options

A formal wedding in the evening or late afternoon still calls for an elegant evening dress. Look for ones with a flowy feel to them, which are styled towards a summer occasion versus a holiday party.

David’s Bridal Style F22835: This black and white spaghetti strapped dress features a trumpeted skirt and is perfect for the most formal wedding.
Tadashi Long Tier Dress: Navy is a great alternative to black, especially against a seascape. Satin and chiffon tiers on the skirt give this sleeveless formal dress a summery feel.
Montage by Mon Cheri 16941: Available in several colors, this strapless dress has a moderately high slit in the long skirt, providing a hint of legs without being too revealing. A jacket is included, perfect for cooler evenings.
Montage by Mon Cheri 16950: A form fitted top with thick straps and ruched bodice helps hide any tummy flaws while providing elegance in a pastel color with a slightly flowing skirt. A matching jacket is great for covering up.
JS Collections Laser Cut Gown: Simple pink stands out in this dress that has a fitted bodice and mesh skirt that flares.

Semi-Formal Gown Choices

A semi-formal gown for the mother of the bride can range from short cocktail style dresses to long gowns with simple styling.

Scala Silk Beaded Dress with Bolero Jacket: This lovely beaded dress hits just below the knee and offers an airy feel to the wedding attire.
J Kara Bead Mock Two Piece Dress: This ankle-skimming champagne dress provides coverage up top and on the bottom, but still will keep you cool with a sleeveless V-neck and lightweight skirt.
Adrianna Papell Beaded Shantung Jacket Dress: This cocktail length dress in clover showcases a stunning bolero jacket with beading and sequins along the metallic netting neckline—no necklace necessary!
Cachet Shantung Dress & Bolero: An embroidered bodice on this plum cocktail dress matches the bolero, a complimentary color to many shades of violet bridesmaid dresses.
David’s Bridal Style F23051: The ruched tank and asymmetrical chiffon skirt make this a lovely choice for any mother of the bride. Color choices are Victorian lilac, apple and blue velvet.

Informal or Casual Dresses

Though guests may wear country club casual attire to an informal wedding, as the mother of the bride, you should take that level up a notch or two in your dress. You can still be casual but elegant at an informal wedding. Simple patterns or more flamboyant detailing may be appropriate, depending on your daughter’s wedding style.

Cameron Blake Collection #16644: A rose motif adorns this tea length dress and jacket, available in several colors and a wide range of sizes.
Montage by Mon Cheri 17944: Simple floor length dresses have some flounce at the skirt bottom and along the jacket collar and wrists.
Montage by Mon Cheri 17952: A jacket and double-spaghetti strapped dress is available in turquoise, jade and grape. The floral and vine decoration make this perfect for a beach wedding.

Shopping Tips for Beach Wedding Dresses

Before you pick out your mother of the bride beach wedding dress, ask to see your daughter’s dress and the beach bridesmaid dress styles. Remember to compliment, but not copy, their color and design. Other tips include:

Visit a number of stores, from boutiques to wedding dress shops to department stores, for the best selection.
Buying a dress from the same salon as your daughter may end up getting you a discount.
Ask your daughter to help you shop. If that is not possible, keep the tags and receipts until you get her final approval.
Accessorize with a bolero jacket, shawl or scarf in a neutral or matching color.
Wear low heels or flats if the wedding is in the sand. Switch to heels for professional photographs and/or the reception.
Buy the dress in the size you are now. Though you may plan to lose weight before the wedding, you want to be sure the dress will fit.
Waiting until the last minute is a recipe for disaster — but shopping too early can lead to regrets or multiple gowns purchased that go out of style or are no longer in your taste.

Mothers of the bride who are close to mothers of the grooms may want to shop together to find complimentary styles. If nothing else, let your daughter and her fiancé know your dress color and design in a timely manner, so his mom can begin her search for the perfect wedding dress.