Updated: June 21, 2026 | Written by Saroj Jain, Fashion Designer, Bangalore
The mother of the bride and mother of the groom are the most visible family members at an Indian wedding after the couple. Their outfits set the tone for the family's style and appear in almost every wedding photo. Choosing the right outfit for each function requires balancing tradition with personal style, coordinating with the couple without clashing, and picking colours that photograph well across multiple events. Most mothers we work with at our JP Nagar boutique own 3 to 5 outfits for a wedding season and want each one to look distinct.
This guide covers what mothers should wear for each wedding function, how to coordinate with each other and the couple, and which fabrics and colours work best. Saroj Jain creates custom outfits for mothers from the JP Nagar studio. Browse pieces at sarojjain.com.
Quick Summary
- Mothers typically need 3 to 5 outfits: haldi/mehendi, sangeet, wedding, and reception
- The mother of the bride usually coordinates with the bride's colour palette
- The mother of the groom chooses her own colours but avoids the bridal party colours
- Silk sarees, anarkalis, and tissue sarees are the most popular choices across functions
- Ready-to-wear options from Rs. 2,499 to Rs. 3,500 at Saroj Jain; custom orders quoted individually
How Many Outfits Does a Mother Need for a Wedding?
A typical Indian wedding has 4 to 6 functions. Most mothers attend all of them and prefer not to repeat outfits in photos. Based on what our clients choose at the JP Nagar boutique, most mothers buy 3 to 5 new outfits for a wedding season. The wedding ceremony and reception are the two non-negotiable outfits. The sangeet is the third most common purchase. Haldi and mehendi outfits are often chosen from existing wardrobe pieces since these functions are more casual. The key is planning all outfits together so colours do not clash and each outfit has a distinct look. Mothers who plan all outfits at once save roughly 15 to 20 percent compared to buying piece by piece because they can coordinate fabrics and stitching in one order.
What Should the Mother of the Bride Wear?
The mother of the bride typically coordinates with the bride's colour palette. If the bride wears red and gold for the wedding, her mother might wear a complementary colour like maroon, pink, or gold. Most brides include their mothers in the colour planning and appreciate knowing what their mother will wear before the wedding day. Tissue sarees and silk sarees are the most popular choices for the wedding ceremony and reception. The Golden Crush Tissue Saree (Rs. 2,499) is requested by roughly 1 in 5 mothers we work with. Anarkalis in silk or crepe are also popular because they need less draping management than sarees. For the sangeet, a co-ord set or anarkali in a festive colour works. For haldi and mehendi, a cotton kurta set or chikankari co-ord is comfortable and practical.
What Should the Mother of the Groom Wear?
The mother of the groom has more colour freedom because she does not need to coordinate with the bridal party's colours. However, she should avoid colours that clash with the bride's family or match the bridesmaids' outfits accidentally. The safest approach is to choose colours that complement the wedding theme without directly matching anyone. The Rani Pink Anarkali Set (Rs. 3,499) is a popular choice among mothers of the groom because it is festive without being bridal. The Truffle Silk Ensemble (Rs. 2,499) works for mothers who prefer neutral, elegant tones. Many mothers of the groom also choose to coordinate with their own son's outfit colour, which creates a cohesive family look in group photos. We recommend mothers of the groom check with the bride's family about the colour palette before finalising outfits.
Mother's Outfit Comparison by Function
| Function | Best Outfit Type | Best Fabric | Popular Colours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Haldi / Mehendi | Cotton co-ord or kurta set | Cotton, chikankari | Yellow, green, pastel pink |
| Sangeet / Cocktail | Anarkali or co-ord set | Crepe, georgette, silk | Jewel tones, metallics |
| Wedding ceremony | Silk saree or anarkali | Silk, tissue, crepe | Maroon, gold, pink, green |
| Reception | Tissue saree or anarkali | Tissue, silk, georgette | Gold, jewel tones, pastels |
What Fabrics Work Best for Mothers?
Comfort is the top priority for mothers at weddings because they are on their feet for long hours greeting guests, posing for photos, and managing event logistics. Silk sarees are the traditional choice for ceremonies but can be heavy for all-day wear. Tissue sarees are lighter and more comfortable while still looking formal. Crepe and georgette anarkalis offer the best balance of comfort and formality. The Steel Blue Chanderi Kurta Set (Rs. 2,499) is a popular daytime choice because chanderi is lightweight, wrinkle-resistant, and breathes well. For custom orders, we recommend mothers bring their preferred fabric swatches and discuss comfort requirements during the consultation.
How Should Mothers Coordinate With Each Other?
The mother of the bride and mother of the groom appear together in many family photos. They should coordinate their colours to create a harmonious look without matching exactly. If one wears a deep colour like maroon or emerald, the other can wear a complementary shade in the same colour family or a neutral tone like gold or champagne. The safest rule is to choose colours from the same warmth level. Both warm tones or both cool tones. Avoid one mother in bright red and the other in pale pastel. The contrast is photographically unflattering. We discuss this with both families when they visit the boutique and offer colour swatches to ensure coordination.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many outfits does the mother of the bride need?
3 to 5 outfits for a full wedding season. The wedding and reception are essential. Sangeet is recommended. Haldi and mehendi can be chosen from existing pieces.
Can the mother of the groom wear red to the wedding?
Only if the bride confirms she is not wearing red. Traditionally red is reserved for the bride. Check with the bride's family before choosing red.
What should the mother wear for the reception?
A tissue saree, silk anarkali, or co-ord set in a festive colour. Gold, jewel tones, and pastels are popular reception choices.
Should mothers buy custom or ready-to-wear?
Custom is recommended for mothers because readymade outfits rarely fit perfectly across different body types. Custom stitching ensures comfort for all-day wear.
How far in advance should mothers order outfits?
6 to 8 weeks for custom outfits. 2 to 3 weeks for ready-to-wear with alterations. Start planning 3 months before the first wedding function.
Where can mothers find wedding outfits in Bangalore?
Saroj Jain in JP Nagar carries mother's wedding wear from Rs. 2,499. Custom stitching available. Shop at sarojjain.com or book a consultation at meet.sarojjain.com.
Shop mother's wedding outfits at sarojjain.com. Browse designs at lookbook.sarojjain.com. Book a consultation at meet.sarojjain.com.