12 Times Celebrity Women Nailed Their Mother-Of-The-Groom Wedding Guest Looks

In many cases, a mother-of-the-groom outfit is meant to be complementary to the theme and dress code set in place by the couple getting married. A dress selection that is too distracting or off-brand is considered disrespectful, so it is imperative that all guests, especially someone so important to the individuals getting married, show their love and consideration through their thoughtful selection of appropriate attire. However, in an effort to steer clear of the spotlight, some mothers of the groom fall into the trap of selecting unflattering or boring outfits for these special occasions. This difficult fashion tightrope is also walked by celebrities celebrating the nuptials of their children, maybe even more so considering how visible their fashion choices can be to the public.

These celebrities, ranging from seemingly obvious picks like style icons and models to actresses and television personalities less known for their fashion prowess, prove that the clothing choices for mothers of the groom don't have to be uninteresting to still be appropriate for their sons' weddings. Whether these iconic women chose pantsuits or floor-length couture gowns, they all got the assignment.

Although it's typically considered taboo for anyone other than the bride to wear white to a wedding, Diana Ross' son, Ross Naess, and daughter-in-law, Kimberly Ryan, didn't seem to pay any mind to that dress code norm. Many of their family members wore shades of white and cream to the 2017 ceremony. Keeping with the bohemian theme, Ross donned a white empire waist dress featuring a V-shaped neckline, a knot-detail bodice, and cap sleeves with a sheer, floor-length shawl. The soft, off-white tones of this Grecian-esque gown paired harmoniously with the bride and bridesmaids' attire.

Many traditional mother-of-the-groom gowns are intentionally modest, demure, and, by definition, a bit matronly. However, these classic style conventions are not the only options for mothers who want to step outside of the box (respectfully) on their son's big day. Susan Lucci decided to march to the beat of her own drum for her son Andreas Huber's wedding by going down the route of bold colors and designer labels. Instead of a muted, single-toned selection, Lucci opted for a brightly colored strapless gown from the Ralph Lauren Purple Label Spring/Summer 2016 collection.

Rosie O'Donnell proved that a mother of the groom doesn't have to wear a dress to meet the requirements for refined evening wear. For Blake O'Donnell's wedding, she donned a custom greenish-champagne suit with a pink watercolor floral print. The soft, romantic design motif evoked a vintage feel that coupled well with the glistening texture of the silk garments. The fit of the suit was not overly structured or tailored, which gave it more of a fluid and feminine feel as opposed to the rigid, boxy silhouette of many traditional suits.

Not all mothers of the groom need to step out of the box to be impactful and chic. The stunning Pamela Anderson, for example, opted for a more traditional style for the wedding of her youngest son Dylan Jagger Lee in 2026. The stunning actress and '90s style icon chose a gorgeous, sunny yellow, ankle-length lace dress with a sheath silhouette and a removable capelet for added coverage. While modest and mature in its construction, the dress was tailored perfectly to Anderson's figure and exuded an air of quiet luxury and great taste.

Sometimes, even mothers have to let their star power shine through. Such was the case when Victoria Beckham went full moonlight-on-the-ocean glam for her son Brooklyn Beckham's wedding in 2022. Despite the contentious events of the evening (including Victoria's dubious choreography during the mother-son dance), Victoria's Studio 54-inspired silk slip gown was above reproach. Made from a reflective silver fabric that resembled liquid spilling from a sleek V-neckline to the floor, this garment stunned everyone in attendance. The bodice was accented with French lace appliqués that perfectly matched the base fabric.

Keeping with the metallics, "Full House" star Candace Cameron Bure also opted for a statement, precious metal-inspired gown for her son Lev Bure's outdoor wedding in 2024. The actress wore a thickly woven, textured gold fit-and-flare gown with a straight strapless neckline and princess seams down the bodice, which cinched at the waist before flowing out in an elegant, floor-length skirt. The gown's thick, substantial fabric gave structure and weight to the silhouette, which lent itself to that classic black-tie feel.

Nothing is more indicative of a successful mother-of-the-groom gown than a willingness to rewear the garment at another important and heavily photographed event. Jaclyn Smith kept it fun, feathery, and consumption-conscious at her son Gaston Richmond's 2023 wedding. Her Monique Lhuillier gown comprised a pastel teal slip base with a sheer mesh overlay, which was intricately embellished with crystal beadwork and waves of delicate white ostrich feathers along the skirt and capelet. This unique, textural take on the mother-of-the-groom dress was a glamorous deviation from classic silk and chiffon without being too distracting.

Whether the wedding dress code is black tie or boho, it is important for the mother of the groom to dress with consideration for the happy couple's vision. The stunning Goldie Hawn embraced the casual dress code of her son Oliver Hudson's 2006 beach wedding with her taupe bohemian-style outfit. Hawn's dress featured a knotted strapless neckline and a billowing, semi-sheer silhouette paired with an opal lariat necklace. The small pleats secured in the fabric just beneath the neckline added volume and texture to the otherwise simple dress.

In 2022, Jane Seymour embraced her daughter-in-law's Korean culture by wearing a traditional hanbok dress for her son Krish Keach's wedding to Miso Keach in Seoul, South Korea. This gorgeous outfit comprised a baby blue jeogori (over shirt) and a pastel pink chima (skirt). The outfit was especially meaningful to Seymour because it was custom made and gifted to her by Miso's parents. The colors of the hanbok also hold significance in traditional Korean weddings, where the mother of the groom typically wears cool tones such as blue or green. 

There is a reason why a gorgeously tailored satin gown is a staple piece for a formal mother of the groom, and Gayle King proves why this choice remains a tried-and-true classic. The iconic broadcast journalist stunned in a gorgeous cornflower blue satin gown for her son William Bumpus Jr.'s 2025 wedding. The lovely pastel gown featured a one-shoulder neckline embellished with a tasteful bow detail and draping detail across the bust, while the silhouette followed a flattering trumpet shape that hugged the waist and hips before flaring out above the knees.

Staying true to her values surrounding thoughtful fashion consumption and tastefully rewearing beloved fashion pieces, Princess Anne opted for a bright and jovial mother-of-the-groom look for her son Peter Phillip's wedding to Harriet Sperling in 2026. To brave the chilly English climate, the royal donned a butter yellow peacoat with a cream dress underneath that included a vibrant floral print across the skirt, which she first wore back in 1986. She completed the look with a vintage yellow hat that she also wore to her daughter's Christening in 1981.

Who says style and comfort can't coincide for a mother of the groom? For the 2023 wedding of Valerie Bertinelli's son Wolfgang Van Halen, Bertinelli not only prioritized her daughter-in-law's color palette but her own comfort as well, and she looked incredible doing it. The television personality opted for a refined monochromatic plum look. She even went so far as to include a matching blouse and velvet heels for the ceremony, though she did change into a pair of sparkly pink flip-flops later during the reception (iconic).