The Ultimate Guide to Wedding Headwear for the Mother of the Bride and Groom: Tips & Trends for 2025
So, your son or daughter is engaged, and the wedding preparations are well underway. The big day is fast approaching, and you’re feeling excited but a little overwhelmed. One of the most important decisions you’ll need to make is what to wear—after all, you’re the mother of the bride or groom! But don’t worry, you’re not alone. Many mums experience the same dilemma, but we know all about best wedding hats for mothers and not only that but how to bring a whole outfit together.
Where do you start? Do you opt for high street or designer? Should you wear a hat or a fascinator? What about colour—will your choice clash with the bridesmaids or the other mother? And of course, comfort is key. You want something that not only looks fabulous but that you can wear all day and still feel comfortable on the dancefloor. Here’s your step-by-step guide to finding that perfect wedding outfit, with expert advice on headwear, shoes, and accessories to help you feel confident on the big day.
Step 1: Dress First or Hat First?
When it comes to putting your wedding outfit together, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. You might be wondering whether to choose your dress or your hat first—well, the answer depends on your priorities! If you’re looking for a statement dress, it may be easier to start there. Once you’ve found something that suits your style, we can help design a hat that complements it perfectly.
If you’re going for something more understated, you might choose a statement hat that elevates a simpler dress. Remember, sometimes less is more! The right hat, shoes, and bag can turn a simple outfit into something truly spectacular. Just be sure to leave enough time to source a headpiece that matches or enhances your look.
Pro Tip: If you already have a bold dress, look no further for finding a bespoke hat in Surrey and the South East. We provide millinery for clients from, Sussex, Wiltshire, Dorset, Hampshire, Berkshire, Greater London, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire and further afield. Start early and work with a milliner to get exactly what you need.
Step 2: Colour Coordination – A Fine Art
Now, when it comes to colour matching, there’s such a thing as overdoing it! While it’s lovely to match your hat, dress, shoes, and bag, you don’t want everything to look too ‘perfectly’ the same shade. Different fabrics absorb dye in various ways, meaning your dress, shoes, and hat won’t ever be exactly the same colour, even if they’re all the same tone.
Instead of matching everything, consider using complementary colours or shades within the same colour family to add depth and interest. If you’re feeling brave, a contrasting accent colour in your hat or shoes can bring a fresh, modern twist to your outfit.
Step 3: Choosing the Right Hat Style
The world of wedding headwear is diverse, and there’s a perfect style for every face shape, stature, and personality. At Beverley Edmondson Millinery, we believe there are no hard and fast rules when it comes to hats! Whether you have a round face or a square jaw, chances are there’s a hat out there that will work for you. The key is wearing it with confidence—stand tall, smile, and rock that headpiece!
Not sure where to start? If you’re on the shorter side, a hat with an upward-sweeping brim can add the illusion of height. If you’re tall, you might prefer a larger brim that balances your proportions. And don’t forget: hats are a fantastic conversation starter! Even if you’re not the most extroverted, your hat can help you stand out in the most stylish way possible.
Step 4: Shoes & Accessories: Comfort Meets Style
When it comes to shoes, comfort is just as important as style. You don’t want to be teetering on high heels all day, only to swap them for flat shoes when it’s time to dance! The solution? Comfortable wedding shoes for mothers of the bride and groom that you can wear all day. Our Rainbow Club shoes come in a range of styles, from low heels to elegant pumps, and they’re known for their comfort. Plus, they can be dyed to any shade you desire, ensuring they match perfectly with your outfit.
Bags and shoes don’t need to match exactly. Instead, focus on coordinating your accessories so that everything comes together harmoniously. Don’t forget to consider practicality too—if the wedding is in a grassy location, you might want to invest in heel stoppers to prevent any embarrassing wobbles.
We also love a metallic shoe, less flat and boring than a nude shoe, gold, silver or rose gold adds light and life to an outfit without distracting from the main parts, metallics are great neutrals for mother of the bride shoes and handbags and they go with everything, so can get lots of future wears.
Step 5: Timeless or Trendy? Finding Your Personal Style
When it comes to wedding fashion, there’s no right or wrong choice—it’s all about what makes you feel your best! Whether you prefer a classic mother of the bride outfit or something more on-trend, the most important thing is to stay true to yourself.
If you’re in love with a particular style, go for it—wedding fashion is often cyclical, so what’s in today might be a classic in the future. But don’t feel pressured to wear something trendy just for the sake of it. After all, this is a day to celebrate your family, and you want to look back at the photos with a smile 20 years from now.
Step 6: Where to Shop for Your Wedding Look
Finding the perfect outfit and accessories can feel like an overwhelming task, but the good news is that there are plenty of places to explore in Surrey and beyond. If you’re looking for a more traditional mother of the bride look, you might want to visit Melita of Cobham, Moda Rosa, Mulberry Silks or Nigel Rayment.
For stylish yet affordable options we recommend Phase Eight, Lk Bennett, Whistles, Me & EM and Hobbs.
For British designers we suggest Laura Green London, Suzannah London, Claire Mischevani, The Fold, Caroline Charles, Belulah, Shibumi, Lalage Beaumont, Emilia Wickstead or Favourbrook, across these designers there is a large range of styles each with their own beauty and hopefully something to suit everyone’s individual tastes and varying budgets.
As for shoes and accessories, don’t forget about Rainbow Club, which offers an excellent shoe-dyeing service for a variety of styles to suit every taste. Or Elphicks in Farnham has a great shoe department if you want to keep it local.
Step 7: When to Take Your Hat Off?
Traditionally, wedding hats are worn until the mother of the bride removes hers, but this is entirely up to you! If you’re comfortable in your wedding headwear, why not keep it on until the evening celebrations? Or you wouldn’t be the first to have a larger piece of millinery for the ceremony and reception, followed by a smaller fascinator or headband for the evening party.
Hats are an essential part of your look on the big day, and they’re not just practical—they’re memorable too! The right hat can elevate your outfit, improve your posture, and help you shine in those all-important photos.
Need Help Finding the Perfect Wedding Headwear?
If you’re unsure where to start, don’t worry—we’re here to guide you every step of the way. At Beverley Edmondson Millinery, we offer bespoke millinery and off the shelf services to help you find or create a hat that complements your outfit perfectly. Whether you’re the mother of the bride or groom, we’ll work with you to design a unique headpiece that reflects your personality and style.
If you’re ready to find the perfect wedding look, book a personal consultation either in person or via zoom with us today! You’ll receive one-on-one advice, colour matching assistance, and expert guidance to ensure you leave with a hat that makes you feel fabulous. But don’t just trust our word for it, Here is what previous clients had to say….
‘Incredible flare for matching hats, giving advice, accessories on your hat and delivering a 1st class service from beginning to end. I have purchased MOTB and MOTG from Beverley Edmondson and would never consider going anywhere else, She has a vast selection of all shapes, sizes and colours so you will always find that one special hat/fascinator that will be talked about long after your event My MOTB hat was that good it was commented on all day and a friend has since borrowed it for her event’
‘I had chosen unusual colour for outfit and Beverley and her team helped me to choose a hat that was stunning yet didn’t detract from my outfit. I had so many lovely comments about my hat that I felt on top of the world all day and wore it for as long as I could. It was so comfortable the way Beverley had shown me how to wear it and I had the confidence to walk into the church knowing I looked great. The blend of colours she matched will also mean I will always be unique. I can’t thank her enough’
Read more reviews and testimonials here.
Why You’ll Love Working with Beverley Edmondson Millinery:
- Expert advice on all things wedding headwear and accessories
- Bespoke millinery services tailored to your needs.
- Comfortable, stylish wedding shoes from Rainbow Club, dyed to any colour.
- Consultations by appointment, ensuring you have all the time you need to try on your outfit and accessories
Check out our full guide to wedding hats and headwear for mothers of the bride
