Over time we learn which colours suit us and most people will stick to the safety of that palette. When you are going to be mother of the bride or mother of the groom there are other considerations – what colours has the bride chosen as the theme of her wedding; what colour are the bridesmaids dresses; and what colour will the other mother wear? If you are a wedding guest you will have more choice but it is always good to take a cue from what the wedding party will be wearing. If you turn up in a suit at a country wedding you may feel out of place.

It is a little to easier for the mother of the bride because you will have a direct line to the bride’s ear and also have the added advantage of etiquette – mother of the bride chooses her outfit colour before mother of the groom.

Safe colours for mother of the bride or mother of the groom that work for most complexions are duck egg blues, soft pinks, golds and caramels. These shades are classic and will elegantly fit in without trying to outshine the bride. I am often asked if black is acceptable for a wedding, and if mixed with another colour as part of a print I would say yes but a totally black outfit is hard to pull off.

There are of course always exceptions: many years ago I was invited to a Goth wedding and all the guests, male and female, were asked to wear black. Themed weddings always need extra thought. White or ivory is another colour to usually avoid but when Lea’s son got married the bride requested all women wear white and all men wear black for her black and white Deco style wedding. As your skin ages white can seem too stark so I suggested Lea wear pale ivory often called winter white. I used a mix of textured fabrics for her dress, clutch bag and 1920’s style turban. Winter white/ivory is far more flattering for most skin and hair tones and for that reason it is widely used for wedding dresses.

Elizabeth Bessant couture champagne wool tweed suit with pearl detail

It is a relatively new phenomena for weddings to be themed to the degree that even guests outfit colours are specified. I am going to a family wedding in October that is going to be held outdoors, weather permitting, in the English countryside. The bride has asked her guests to wear earthy colours to blend with the shades of Autumn. I am considering muted greens, burnt orange and warm mustard, all colours that I can carry off but for those who like to wear pretty pinks or blues to a wedding this request will be challenging.

When a mother of the bride or mother of the groom comes to see me for a consultation I like to get to know them over coffee. I know instantly what colours suit their complexion, hair colour and personality. But I also need to know the colour of the bridesmaid dresses, the flowers, the overall theme and time of the year. It is also important to know what colour the other mother has chosen and most importantly any preferences the bride may have.

Elizabeth Bessant couture soft pink, pale grey and taupe wool tweed dress with matching accessories

Elizabeth Bessant Couture duck egg blue silk linen dress and matching accessories

All this can be overwhelming. I am happy to help you with your colour choice for your outfit whether you are mother of the bride, mother of the groom or a wedding guest. If you would like a free of charge no obligation consultation please email me [email protected]