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Two rules: try not to upstage your daughter, and try not to clash with the groom's mother!

A classic tailored look is perfect, and re-useable. A suit always looks smart, whether it is with trousers or a skirt.

Wear some pretty accessories such as a hat or head-piece, gloves, stunning shoes, and a bag to match.

Don't be afraid to wear a dress with some sequins or pretty beading, but do remember that less is more!

Deciding What to Wear

With so many designers focussing specifically on mother of the bride outfits there is no reason to feel you have to look frumpy. After all, once the bride and groom make their entrance, all eyes turn to the proud parents. It is therefore important to look your best without upstaging the bride!

When choosing an outfit, there are plenty of choices to make: fabric, colour, style and accessories. If you are struggling to find an outfit, you may find you already own something suitable, after all you don’t have to buy something specifically from a bridal shop. However if you are searching for a new outfit, try taking your daughter with you. This is likely to make the experience more enjoyable, she will give you an honest opinion and let you know how she would like you to look on the day also.

Trouser or skirt suits need not be boring, there are many interesting pieces to choose from in shops and online. Try to pick your outfit as soon as possible; that way you will be able to concentrate on helping the bride and groom with their organisations. This is also beneficial as you will be able to inform the mother of the groom of your choice so if needed, she can plan her outfit to compliment yours. Think about the wedding photos; if you are finding it difficult to decide on a colour or the bride and groom are conscious of co-ordination then pick a shade of the colour theme, clashing with the bridesmaids will not look great in a photo!

Accessories

Accessories can often make or break an outfit so make sure they are chosen carefully. Wraps and shawls can be perfect for dressing up a summer wedding outfit and a hat can finish an outfit perfectly. Hats should be chosen according to face shape, height and hairstyle to make sure it is not too overwhelming, or if you're not after a hat a floral hairpiece or fascinator can be just as effective. Think about the style and colour of your outfit, ie. if you are wearing a heavily patterned fabric then minimal or plain accessories will work best. However plain fabrics can be brightly dressed up with more adventurous accessories and shoes to add a touch of glamour.

Hats

Weddings are one of the few occasions that most of us ever wear a hat, and for some, the prospect is daunting. But hat shopping can be a lot of fun, and it’s well worth visiting a specialist hat shop to find the right hat for you and your outfit.

Don’t assume a hat has to match your outfit exactly. A toning shade often looks stunning. Alternatively, opt for neutral black, navy or cream, which can be trimmed with feathers, ribbons, flowers or beads to pick up the dominant colour from your dress or coat. On the big day, hold your head high and enjoy that added sense of style

Colour consultants

Use this as an opportunity to send your mother to an image consultant. They will analyse her ideal colours to wear, and the ones to avoid, the cuts and fabrics that look best on her, and perhaps most importantly, the shape and style of hat to complement the entire look.

Duties

The mother of the bride's role was traditionally to organise many aspects of the wedding such as the reception, flowers, stationery and guest list. However now, the best way to look at your duty as a mother of the bride is to provide a supporting role for your daughter. This means helping on the things she asks you to do; while advice will be welcome it is important to let your daughter plan exactly how she wants her day to go. She will more than likely assign specific jobs for you to do and by asking how you can help will show your keenness to be involved without taking over. This may mean sitting down with your daughter in the early stages of planning to find out how she wants things and who she wants to do what as well as setting out exactly what you are willing to pay for to avoid confusion later on in the planning stages.

The most important duty of a mother of the bride is to of course be a support. Make sure you are calm and optimistic for the bride to calm her nerves and ensure the smooth running of her day.