The mother of the bride dress has evolved so much over the years. Today, there are weddings of every style, with some being formal and others more relaxed. What you wear will depend on the theme, venue and dress code of your daughter’s wedding, and also how comfortable you feel. Every mother of the bride is unique and everyone has their own preferences when it comes to fabric, shape and colour. While traditionally, the mother of the bride always wore a dress, today there are jumpsuit and trouser suit options to choose from. And while it used to be a faux pas to wear cream, ivory or off-white, there are now many brides who like to match their mum. Modern mother of the bride dresses come in so many designs, and sometimes it’s okay to bend the rules. Here are some modern mother of the bride dress styles to inspire you:

Summer florals

This floral mother of the bride dress by John Charles is modern, elegant and chic, while celebrating a contemporary trend loved by all ages. Prints aren’t usually worn by the wedding party as not to take attention away from the bride. But for a summer wedding (and when done in a subtle, beautiful way like we see on this dress), florals are ideal.   For destination weddings, floral prints work particularly well. And the best thing about floral dresses is that they can be worn again for other occasions.  

Pretty ruffle dresses

Ruffles are another modern detail that can transform a traditional mother of the bride outfit into something more current and more exciting. This stunning red dress by Luis Civit is available in a range of colours to match the wedding party or the theme of the day.   Perfect for weddings abroad, outdoor weddings, cocktail style events, and much more. This is a versatile look that can be restyled over and over again.  

Lace dresses

Lace has been a popular trend with wedding guests in recent years, and it seems that lace fabrics are undergoing a revival. This luxurious lace dress is from the Veromia 2020 Collection has ¾ sleeves, making it ideal for British weather. It looks great in all seasons and works for indoor and outdoor venues alike.   With a peplum waist, it’s also super flattering for all body shapes and the colour matches most wedding colour schemes. It works just as well with a small fascinator as a large mother of the bride hat, and even looks perfect as a standalone dress.  

Blush coloured dresses

Back in the day, blush dresses would have been considered too similar to the bride’s dress to be suitable. But today, rules are more relaxed. Just be sure to check with your daughter first, as not all brides feel the same about relaxed etiquette. Featured here is a stylish shoulder detail dress by Carla Ruiz from the 2020 Spring/Summer Collection. There’s just enough detailing to make it special, yet it’s still a subtle piece to help the bride shine.   See more mother of the bride dresses over at Nigel Rayment. Nigel Rayment will be exhibiting at The National Wedding Show at Olympia London, Eventcity Manchester & Excel London.   See more: Check out Broni & Bo's groom inspiration guide