What should the mother of the groom wear to a UK wedding?

The MOTG should wear a formal outfit that matches the wedding's dress code. For a formal church wedding, a tailored dress or skirt suit with a hat or fascinator is standard. For a barn or garden wedding, a midi dress or elegant trouser suit without headwear is equally appropriate. Avoid white, ivory, and champagne (bridal colours), and avoid outshining the bridal party.

Should the mother of the groom coordinate with the mother of the bride?

Coordination is traditional but not mandatory. WeddingsHub recommends sharing your colour and formality level with the MOB before buying to avoid clashing. You should not match exactly — wearing the same dress or near-identical colour looks awkward in photos. Aim for complementary tones in the same formality bracket.

What colours should the mother of the groom avoid?

Avoid white, ivory, cream, and champagne — all are bridal territory. Also avoid the exact colour of the bridesmaids' dresses (which can look like you're part of the bridal party). At a formal wedding, black is generally fine for the MOTG in the UK, though some couples prefer it avoided.

Does the mother of the groom need to wear a hat?

No, unless the wedding is a formal church or cathedral ceremony where the dress code states hats. Check the invitation's dress code. If in doubt, a fascinator is lighter and more versatile than a full hat.

How much should the mother of the groom spend on her outfit?

The range runs from £120 for a high-street midi dress and borrowed accessories to £2,000+ for bespoke. Most high-street options from Phase Eight, Hobbs, and Monsoon sit at £180-£350 for the dress alone.

When should the mother of the groom buy her outfit?

Buy 4-6 months before the wedding. This gives time for alterations, which most formal outfits need. It also allows you to share the colour with the MOB so she has the chance to adjust if you clash. Bespoke or made-to-order dresses need 4-8 months.

Can the mother of the groom wear trousers to a UK wedding?

Yes. A well-tailored trouser suit in a quality fabric is entirely appropriate for most UK weddings in 2026. Wide-leg silk or crepe trousers with a structured jacket or embellished top work particularly well for outdoor or contemporary venues. Tailored trousers are now the second most popular choice after dresses for MOTGs at non-church UK weddings.

Mother of the Groom Outfit UK 2026

What the MOTG wears by wedding type

Your outfit choice depends almost entirely on the venue and dress code.

Formal church or cathedral wedding

A tailored dress with a matching coat or jacket is the standard. The outfit should cover the shoulders for entering the church. A hat or fascinator is expected rather than optional. Colours: navy, dusty blue, soft green, rose, champagne (if the bride is not wearing it), or deep teal. Avoid anything too casual — linen, jersey, or relaxed prints are not appropriate here.

What to expect to spend: £280-£600 for the dress or suit, £80-£200 for the hat or fascinator.

Hotel or manor house wedding

More flexibility. A formal midi dress, tailored trouser suit, or dress-with-jacket all work. A fascinator is optional rather than expected. You can introduce more colour or pattern here than you would in a church setting. Wedge shoes work; stilettos are impractical on gravel and stairs.

What to expect to spend: £180-£400.

Barn, outdoor, or garden wedding

What to expect to spend: £120-£300.

Registry office or intimate wedding

Smart dress or tailored trousers and a blouse. The ceremony is short and the setting is casual. There is no need for a hat. Avoid anything too formal or ball-gown-adjacent — it looks incongruous in a small room.

Colour guide: what works and what to avoid

Colours to avoid

The bridesmaid colour is also off-limits. Wearing the same shade as the bridal party looks deliberate and creates confusion in photos. If you don’t know what the bridesmaids are wearing, ask the bride or groom.

Hot pink, bright orange, or neon colours work for some weddings but should be cleared with the couple first. What feels celebratory can read as scene-stealing.

Should the MOTG coordinate with the mother of the bride?

Mother bride outfit classic

Coordination is traditional; matching is not. The MOB and MOTG appearing in complementary colours rather than identical outfits is the standard. In practice:

Share your colour choice with the MOB before buying, or ask the bride or groom to relay it
Aim for tones in the same family (cool vs warm) at the same level of formality
Avoid standing next to each other in photos if you’ve bought conflicting colours

Best UK shops for MOTG outfits in 2026

Mother bride outfit winter

Phase Eight

The most-searched UK brand for mother-of-the-wedding outfits. Phase Eight runs regular wedding edit sections with tailored dresses, suits, and occasion wear. Price range: £149-£349 for dresses; matching jackets £89-£149. Available in John Lewis, House of Fraser, and direct. Phase Eight occasion wear is stocked widely across the UK.

Hobbs

Classic British tailoring at mid-market prices. Hobbs does midi dresses, trouser suits, and separates that work across all formality levels. Price range: £149-£299. Available online and in major UK cities.

Monsoon

Good for florals and embellished occasion wear at lower prices than Phase Eight. Price range: £89-£199. Strong for spring and summer garden wedding aesthetics. Less tailored than Hobbs.

John Lewis Own Label / partner brands

John Lewis stocks over 20 occasion-wear brands including Phase Eight, Hobbs, and Joanna Hope. The filter for “mother of the bride/groom” on the John Lewis website returns dresses across all price points.

ASOS

For the MOTG on a tighter budget or one who prefers to order and return multiples. ASOS occasions stock formal midi dresses and jumpsuits from £50-£150. Quality is variable — order two sizes and check the fabric weight.

Hats and fascinators: the UK rule

Mother bride outfit summer

Mother bride outfit modern For a formal church wedding, a hat or fascinator is expected. For anything else, it is optional.

Hat vs fascinator: A hat creates more impact but needs to complement your face shape and hair. A fascinator is lighter, more versatile, and easier to wear for a full day. The rule: if the dress code says “morning dress” or “lounge suit (formal)”, lean hat. If it says “smart casual” or “cocktail”, a fascinator is sufficient.

Where to buy: John Lewis and Debenhams-replacement retailers carry occasion hats at £60-£200. Millinery specialists such as Jane Taylor London or Philip Treacy produce bespoke options from £250. For a one-off, ASOS and Boohoo stock fascinators from £15-£60.

Shoes and accessories

Comfort matters more than you think. You will stand for a ceremony of 30-45 minutes, walk across multiple surfaces, and be on your feet for 8-10 hours. A block heel of 2-3 inches is the most practical for a church or hotel venue. A kitten heel or smart flat is better for outdoor venues.

Match your shoes to the outfit’s formality rather than its exact colour. Navy dress + nude or metallic shoe photographs well in most lighting. Avoid matching bag, belt, shoe, and hat all in the same colour — it can look costume-like.

Bag: A small clutch or structured mini bag is standard. You don’t need to carry it all day — most venues have cloakrooms.

Jewellery: One good piece is better than many smaller ones. For a formal wedding, a statement necklace OR statement earrings (not both). Pearls remain the traditional choice for MOTGs. Crystal or gold works equally well.

What not to wear

White, ivory, or anything that reads as bridal
Heavily sequinned or disco-ball fabric in a daytime wedding (works for evening ceremonies)
Any outfit that requires constant adjustment (too short, too low-cut, straps that fall)
Something you bought for a different occasion that doesn’t reflect the formality level

Mother of the Groom Outfit UK 2026

Key Takeaways