There are many different colors of red, from ruby to burgundy, garnet to cranberry, and a bit of mauve and rusty rose. We've selected the best red-hued and ruby jewel-toned red Mother-of-the-Bride dresses. We've found the most elegant mother of the bride gowns from the best sources for red and burgundy special occasion dresses and curated them just for the Mother-of-the-Bride and Mother-of-the-Groom . Just remember red can be an eye-catching color, so be sure the couple has given this color the thumbs-up!
The sources in this shopping guide to red dresses and gowns for the Mother-of-the-Bride use affiliate links, which means this site may earn a commission if you make a purchase from our links.
Image credits and shopping sources 1. Scoopback Sequin Gown in Cabernet by Adrianna Papell 2. Brooke Gown in Raspberry by Sachin + Babi 3. Off the Shoulder Stretch Velvet Gown by Teri Jon
12 Gorgeous Red and Burgundy Gowns and Dresses for Mothers of the Bride or Mothers of the Groom
Here are a few of the red gowns and elegant mother of the bride dresses we've been eyeing lately! We've tried to include many with long sleeves, to ensure an elegant mother of the bride dresses
Red Printed Ball Gown with Pockets
This ball gown style satin red printed a line ball gown is a perfect dress for a mother to wear for a fall weddings or for any wedding with a red color palette. The all over floral pattern adds interest and makes this a eye-catching, unique and elegant choice for a formal wedding.
Burgundy Beaded Long Sleeve Dress
A little bit of beading can set the mother of the bride gown apart in the most perfect way. We love all of the beaded gowns made by Adrianna Papell and think they are the perfect dresses for mothers of the wedding. If the bridesmaids or wedding party are wearing a variation on a shade of red, or purple, selecting a sparkling beaded or sequined mothers dress like this can be a wonderful idea.
Long Sleeve Formal Garnet Gown
This designer red mother-of-the-bride gown is by Mac Duggal, one of our top recommendations for mother-of-the-bride dress designers. who offers beaded dresses and luxurious fabrics. The sheer long sleeves and wrap style make for a supremely flattering look. We picture this gown as a perfect choice for a formal winter wedding around the holidays.
Tea Length Cap Sleeve Burgundy Dress with Embellished Details
This tea-length mother-of-the-bride dress done in a high-low style pairs beautifully with an embellished cap sleeve bodice. Embellished details and a sheer neckline add to the interesting details of this gown. The length and style make this a beautiful choice for an outdoor wedding in the early fall season. The perfect fit is often the key to feeling confident and comfortable throughout your son or daughter's special day. Azazie is one of the placed to customizable options, ensuring that each dress is tailored to perfection
Tea Length Dress Endora by Azazie
Red Velvet Short Sleeve Mother of the Bride Dress
Red velvet isn't just a choice for wedding cakes, it's also a rich and timeless look for a late fall or winter wedding. If the wedding is around Christmas or Valentine's Day, or has a velvet theme, we absolutely love this style!
Short Sleeve Sequin Drop Waist Burgundy Gown with Godet Skirt
This short-sleeved wine-colored ankle-length gown has some art deco details like beading and the gathered godets in the skirt which give this dress lots of movement.
Laurie from Azazie Comes in Burgundy, Cabernet Mulberry, and Other Tones for Red - $299
Red Gown with Sweetheart Neckline and Embellished Short Sleeves
The flattering neckline and waist-defining draping on this long mother of the bride dress make it an elegant look for fall or winter weddings. We love the embellished lace detail at the sleeve.
Birdie By Azazie Shown in Burgundy, comes in many other colors including 4 more shades of red
Flutter Sleeve Gown
This black-tie worthy floor length gown has some delightful details in the flutter sleeve, high boat neck, and shirred swept waistline. Elegant and understated!
Tea Length Burgundy Dress
This length and style is ideal for a daytime autumn wedding or a rustic wedding ceremony.
Beautiful Burgundy and Red Dresses for the Mother of the Bride or Mother of the Groom
These red-toned colors are a lovely choice for a fall or winter wedding or any wedding where a touch of wine, berry, red, or plum, will complement the color scheme.
Which Fabrics are Best for Mother-of-the-Bride Dresses?
The choice of fabric can make all the difference when it comes to the overall look and feel of the dress. Silk, for example, adds a touch of elegance, it drapes beautifully and has a structure that skims over the body. Satin is less structured but adds a rich look to any color it is paired with. Chiffon, on the other hand, offers a light and airy feel, perfect for daytime or outdoor summer weddings. Stretch crepe allows for give and a great fit, and allows you to move on the dance floor.
Which Styles Are Best for Mother-of-the-Bride Dresses?
Mother-of-the-bride dresses come in a variety of styles to suit every preference. Whether you prefer a classic A-line silhouette, a sheath dress that hugs your curves, or a flowing empire waist gown, there is a perfect dress for you. Let the time of day and wedding dress code be your guide. Generally we see mothers opt for long dresses and formal gowns for evening weddings, while short dresses work perfectly for daytime or casual weddings. We hope giving you a variety of options will help you choose a dress that reflects your unique style and personality. Picking your favorite color, along with fabric and silhouette will ensure that you not only look your best but also feel like yourself on this special day.
What Bridesmaid Dress Colors Pair with a Red Mother-of-the-Bride Dress?
Usually, it's nice to have the bridesmaid dresses echo the main theme and color scheme that the couple has selected for the wedding decor. Ideally, the mothers of the wedding will choose dresses that not only harmoniously work with the colors the bridesmaids and groomsmen are wearing, but will also tie in other color scheme elements in the wedding. Here are some color options that can go nicely with a red mother-of-the-bride dress.
Blush, Mauve, or Pink
If the bridesmaids are wearing a pink-hued color like blush, rose, or pale pink, especially in the late summer or early fall, a mother-of-the-bride gown in a dark pink or rich burgundy can add a bit of harmonious but distinct hue. The combination of light pink paired with deep red can be echoed in the flower to give some wonderful depth to wedding decor with a pink color scheme. See Pink Bridesmaid Dresses Here.
Other Shades of Red
We love a monochromatic look, with a bit of variation so they aren't a perfect match. So for instance, the bridesmaids are wearing a shade of red like rust or even garnet, and you like the idea of staying within the red color family, the mothers can choose a mother of the bride dress style in a color that is either lighter, or darker or perhaps a shade warmer or cooler than the bridesmaids' dresses. Another way to do this is to select else has a print, pattern, or texture, like beaded or lace that allows the mother's dress to stand apart. Having this style can create a color-coordinated look for photos while allowing the mother of the bride to have a distinct look from that of the bridesmaid dresses.
Dusty Blue or Navy Blue
Navy blue is a classic and timeless color that pairs beautifully with red. While blue and red can sound like a patriotic theme when done correctly a deep burgundy gown paired with rich, deep tones of navy or dusty blue in the bridesmaid dresses can create a sophisticated and elegant contrast for a fall or winter wedding.
Emerald and Olive Green
Green and red are contrasting colors, but the contrast can be pleasing when it's a pairing of jeweled-tone colors. We like the idea of deep emerald contrasted with wine-colored red mother-of-the-bride dress for a holiday or winter wedding. The pairing of a dusty olive green and a rusted red tone for the mother of the bride makes a nice color combination for fall.
Golden Colors
Warm gold neutral shades like beige, champagne, and bronze are so popular for bridesmaid dresses. Gold and shades like deep rich red, wine, or rich plum can be an excellent pairing.
Silver or Gray
Adding red into the mix if the bridesmaids are wearing cool-toned dress colors like silver or gray can again add some warmth and depth to a wedding party color range.
Black
If the bridesmaids are wearing black, it can be important to balance the black with other wedding colors to avoid an overly dark or somber atmosphere. Having a rich red shade in the mix again through the florals and perhaps in the mothers' gowns can be a nice way to add a festive shade.
Plum
If the bridesmaids are wearing a deep shade of purple, then a wine-colored mother-of-the-bride in a similar but different hue can provide some subtle contrast to that shade, while still creating a warm autumnal color scheme and pairing of two rich warm tones.
Didn't find quite the right dress yet? Here are some links to help! We love these stores and designers for finding mother-of-the-bride or groom dresses from affiliates who are trusted online retailers. And here's a tip: Your dress doesn't have to be labeled "mother of the bride" to be appropriate. A pretty cocktail dress, evening gown, and sometimes a formal dress for a bridesmaid will be the perfect choice for elegant mother of the bride outfits.
Dillards | Nordstrom | Saks Fifth Avenue | Neiman Marcus
Featured Dresses from Past Seasons
This article was originally published October 4, 2013 and was most recently updated on September 17, 2023. We keep some of the older images and pins on this page for continuity. These gowns are now most likely out of stock, but we keep links to the original sources here.
Short Sleeve Sequin Satin Gown with Tulle Overlay by Teri Jon
Long Cap Sleeve Party Dress With Beaded Neckline from David's Bridal
Tadashi Shoji Embroidered Lace Gown from Dillard's
Sources: 1. Long Cap Sleeve Party Dress With Beaded Neckline from David's Bridal 2. Short Sleeve Sequin Satin Gown with Tulle Overlay by Teri Jon 3. Alexia Dress Bordeaux from BHLDN 4. Glitter Lace Sheath Dress with Attached Capelet from David's Bridal
1. Tadashi Shoji Dress 2. Olympia Gown 3. Cap Sleeve Lace Dress 4. Forget Me Knot Gown
You may also want to check out these related pages:
Pink Mother of the Bride Dresses
Coral Mother of the Bride Dresses
Purple Mother of the Bride or Groom Dresses