Can the mother of the bride wear a silver dress?

Silver is definitely an appropriate hue for a mother-of-the-bride dress, especially if the bride has requested you wear this hue. It's classic and versatile, and pairs well with so many other colors.

Should a mother-of-the-bride dress be long or short?

Since many mothers want to look more formal at their daughter's weddings, most choose to wear floor-length gowns. However, there are no rules. As long as the dress code allows for shorter hemlines, a short dress is perfectly acceptable.

Is it okay for a mother-of-the-bride dress to be sparkly?

While a mother-of-the-bride dress should stand out, it shouldn't stand out more than the bride's overall look. Always take her gown into consideration—if it's very simple and minimal, a dress that is too sparkly might be overwhelming.

25 Best Silver Mother-of-the-Bride Dresses of 2023

bride holding hand with her mother by a window — Photo by Kyle John Photography

As the mother of the bride, you may feel a lot of pressure to find the perfect dress for your daughter's wedding. Of course, everyone will be staring at the bride all day and night, but as her mother, you will likely be right by her side so all eyes will also be on you. For those that want something unique with a metallic sheen (that won't upstage the bride), you may be interested in a silver mother-of-the-bride dress.

Silver dresses are pretty, timeless, and feel sparkly and fun without being overwhelming. Though this hue may be deemed the perfect color for winter weddings, silver is very versatile and can also work for almost every season. If you want something glittery, opt for a silver dress with sequins. If you want something sleek, pick a darker shade and choose a fabric that isn't too shimmery. What's more, you can go for a silver ensemble with a blush or gold hue to it. The options are endless!

So, to help with your search, here is a collection of some of the most beautiful silver mother-of-the-bride dresses you can buy right now.

Courtesy of Neiman Marcus

View On Neiman Marcus

Size: 1X-3X | Length: Knee length | Care: Dry clean

The knit sequin material and the long sleeves make this dress perfect for a winter wedding. If you didn't want a gown, this shorter length is a great option—plus, the sparkly feel keeps it from looking too casual.

Courtesy of Dillard's

View On Dillards.com

Size: 2-16 | Length: Floor length | Care: Dry clean

The stretchy fabric composition makes this dress surprisingly comfortable, while the V-neck and the front slit offer plenty of sex appeal. The silver shimmer is a lovely touch, and the long sleeves allow this look to be a great option for fall or winter weddings.

Pisarro Nights Illusion Sleeve Beaded A-Line Gown

Nordstrom

View On Nordstrom

Size: 2-14 | Length: Ankle length | Care: Spot clean

Instead of featuring all-over sparkles, this gown features sequins in an artful swirled pattern for a unique look. It's a beautiful and versatile gown if you want a full-length option for a formal or semi-formal affair. Just keep in mind that the sizing runs large, so ordering a size down may be your best bet.

Courtesy of David's Bridal

View On David's Bridal

Size: 14W-24W | Length: Knee length | Care: Hand wash

This knee-length sheath features an intricate floral design that makes it ideal for a spring or summer wedding. Sequins dot the fabric for a little sparkle, and the flutter sleeves are a nice option for someone who wants to cover a portion of their arms.

Courtesy of Nordstrom

View On Nordstrom View On Lordandtaylor.com View On Verishop.com

Size: 2-20 | Length: Floor length | Care: Spot clean

For a very glamorous look, opt for this mermaid gown from La Femme. Made with a detailed lace off-the-shoulder bodice and a ruched skirt, this dress will make you feel like a star. We also love the silver matte hue, which is a great choice for a mom searching for a subtle look.

Courtesy of Macy's

View On Macy's

Size: 4-14 | Length: Ankle length | Care: Machine washable

This budget-friendly option is easy to put on, easy to move around in, and low-maintenance when it comes to post-wedding care. The loose capelet offsets the skirt nicely and is a lovely built-in accessory that elevates the overall look.

Anthropologie

View On Anthropologie

Size: 0-18 | Length: Floor length | Care: Dry clean

This boatneck gown features a stunning lace overlay, dotted with hundreds of matte sequins for some subtle sparkle. With cap sleeves and a floral pattern, it gives off a slightly vintage feel as well.

Courtesy of Adrianna Papell

View On Adriannapapell.com

Size: 0-20 | Length: Floor length | Care: Spot clean

Velvet and silver come together to create a gown that is perfect for a winter wedding. What we really love about this one is the hand-beadwork at the bodice, which features just a touch of sparkle.

Courtesy of Betsy and Adam

View On Betsyandadam.com

Size: 4-14 | Length: Floor length | Care: Dry clean

This color is described as "blush silver" and is basically a shimmering metallic version of a blush-hued gown. It's at once unique, modern, and beautiful, and any mother of the bride would look gorgeous wearing this number.

Courtesy of Neiman Marcus

View On Neiman Marcus

Size: 0-18 | Length: Floor length | Care: Dry clean

This silver gown by Aidan Mattox has gold mixed into the pattern, making it the ideal mixed-metal metallic hue. The off-the-shoulder neckline and flowing long skirt will leave you feeling extremely glam and picture-perfect for the big day.

Courtesy of Adrianna Papell

View On Adriannapapell.com

Size: 0-30 | Length: Floor length | Care: Spot clean

If you don't want to wear all silver, then look for a dress with silver accents. This one by Adrianna Papell comes in a dark gunmetal shade with silver embellishments on top for an added pop of shimmer.

Courtesy of Bergdorf Goodman

View On Bergdorfgoodman.com View On Saks Fifth Avenue

Size: XS-XL | Length: Floor length | Care: Dry clean

The column silhouette of this Bronx and Banco gown makes it feel at once regal and stylish. It's a simple, but fashion-forward, option for a mother of the bride who is looking for a black-tie ensemble.

Amazon

View On Amazon

Size: 0-20 | Length: Floor length | Care: Spot clean

The halter neck and keyhole back of this gown make it a good fit for warmer-weather weddings. This beautiful option comes in gunmetal and silver, in addition to 16 other colors for those who'd like options.

Courtesy of Betsy & Adam

View On Betsyandadam.com

Size: 4-16 | Length: Floor length | Care: Spot clean

Betsy and Adam's Celine gown features many unique details, from the draped sleeves that almost resemble a cape to the shimmering silver-gold color that creates the most lovely metallic shine. The crinkle knit is a pretty and unique detail as well.

Courtesy of Nordstrom

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Size: 2-20| Length: Floor length | Care: Spot clean

Lines of artfully arranged sequins make this dress sparkle without feeling overwhelming. With long sleeves and a long A-line skirt, this is ideal for weddings taking place during the colder months.

Courtesy of Neiman Marcus

View On Neiman Marcus

Size: 0-16 | Length: Floor length | Care: Dry clean

This Badgley Mischka column gown oozes glamour and opulence. The glittering velvet skirt and pleated one-shoulder sash are such special details not typically found on many ensembles. This is a great choice for a black-tie or white-tie wedding.

Courtesy of AW Bridal

View On Awbridal.com

Size: 0-30 | Length: Floor length | Care: Dry clean or hand wash

This sleek pantsuit is the definition of understated elegance. Blousy sleeves and loose pants make it comfortable, and it's a great choice as it comes in a wide variety of sizes. The best part? It has a price tag of under $100.

Courtesy of Neiman Marcus

View On Neiman Marcus

Size: 8-12 | Length: Floor length | Care: Hand wash

If you're going to splurge on a gown, pick this one by Marchesa. Stunning embroidery makes it look sophisticated, and the back features a unique tulle drape that will allow you to stand out in photos.

Courtesy of Nordstrom

View On Nordstrom

Size: 2-20 | Length: Floor length | Care: Dry clean

La Femme's ruched twist column gown is a classic mother-of-the-bride dress, but for good reasons. It's at once beautiful, simple, and versatile. Additionally, the lace sleeves and ruched front allow it to be a piece that will work well for everyone.

Courtesy of Bloomingdale's

View On Bloomingdales

Size: XS-XL | Length: Tea length | Care: Dry clean

The fit-and-flare silhouette and deep V-neckline make this dress another classic choice. For those looking for a trendy option, opt for this tea-length number featuring a shimmering dark silver hue.

Courtesy of Macy's

View On Macy's

Size: 14W-22W | Length: Floor length | Care: Hand clean

The asymmetrical neckline and one-shoulder cape sleeve allow this dress to stand out. It feels regal and elegant, and the slight metallic shimmer is a lovely touch.

Courtesy of Neiman Marcus

View On Neiman Marcus

Size: 2-18 | Length: Floor length | Care: Dry clean

From the organza finish to the interesting shimmering pattern, this dress is definitely one of the most unique options out there. It's mesmerizing, stylish, and perfect for those who want to cover up without looking matronly.

Courtesy of Macy's

View On Belk.com View On Macy's

Size: 6-16 | Length: Tea length | Care: Hand wash

All-over sequined lace provides this dress with tons of sparkle and detail. You can wear the sleeveless dress on its own, or wear the jacket for a more conservative look. The layered design is also great for transitional weather during the spring and fall.

Courtesy of Lulus

View On Lulus

Size: XS-XL | Length: Floor length | Care: Hand wash cold

Want something more form-fitting? Opt for this budget-friendly maxi dress from Lulus, which looks glamorous and sexy all at once. A one-shoulder neckline and a side slit add alluring details.

Sachin & Babi Gabby Sequin Puff-Sleeve Gown

Courtesy of Neiman Marcus

View On Neiman Marcus View On Saks Fifth Avenue

Size: 0-14 | Length: Floor length | Care: Dry clean

All-over sequins make this a super sparkly choice. The slightly looser fit, thanks to dolman sleeves, makes this look more stylish and chic. We also love the V-neck and the center slit that balances it all out.

What to Look for in a Silver Mother-of-the-Bride Dress

A silver mother-of-the-bride dress is a beautiful option for women who want something elegant and timeless, with a little bit of sparkle. When looking for one, first decide on how formal you want your dress to be. For black-tie, black-tie optional, and semi-formal weddings, you may want to wear a full-length gown (it's acceptable for the mother of the bride to look more formal than other wedding guests). If you want something more casual, opt for a tea-length or midi dress. Additionally, since silver can easily have a lot of sparkles, decide how much you want to wear. If glitter is your thing, look for embellishments, sequins, or ensembles made of sparkly material. If not, look for dresses with a darker silver or matted shade.

FAQ

Can the mother of the bride wear a silver dress?

Silver is definitely an appropriate hue for a mother-of-the-bride dress, especially if the bride has requested you wear this hue. It's classic and versatile, and pairs well with so many other colors.
Should a mother-of-the-bride dress be long or short?

Since many mothers want to look more formal at their daughter's weddings, most choose to wear floor-length gowns. However, there are no rules. As long as the dress code allows for shorter hemlines, a short dress is perfectly acceptable.
Is it okay for a mother-of-the-bride dress to be sparkly?

While a mother-of-the-bride dress should stand out, it shouldn't stand out more than the bride's overall look. Always take her gown into consideration—if it's very simple and minimal, a dress that is too sparkly might be overwhelming.

The 21 Best Mother-of-the-Bride Shoes for Style and Comfort of 2023

Why Trust Us

Contributing writer Jessica Booth is a freelance writer and formerly served as an editor for seven years. Her work has been featured in Bustle, Insider, Redbook, and Refinery29.