• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Shop by Color
    • Red Dresses
    • Pink Dresses
    • Coral Dresses
    • Yellow Dresses
    • Green Dresses
    • Light Blue Dresses
    • Dark Blue Dresses
    • Purple Dresses
    • Silver + Gray Dresses
    • White Dresses
    • Black Dresses
    • Floral Dresses
  • Guests
    • Wedding Guest Dresses
    • Winter Wedding Guest Dresses
    • Spring Wedding Guest Dresses
    • Summer Wedding Guest Dresses
    • Fall Wedding Guest Dresses
    • Wedding Guest Dresses Under $50
    • Wedding Guest Dresses Under $100
    • Wedding Guest Dresses Under $150
    • Beach Wedding Guest Dresses
    • Dressy Casual Dresses for Weddings
    • Semi-Formal Dresses for Weddings
    • Formal Gowns for Weddings
    • Maxi Dresses for Weddings
    • Plus Size Wedding Guest Dresses
    • Wedding Guest Attire Guidelines
    • Wedding Guest Outfit Ideas
  • Brides
    • Shop Wedding Dresses
      • Beach Wedding Dresses
      • Ballgown Wedding Dresses
      • Long Sleeve Wedding Dresses
      • Plus Size Wedding Dresses
      • Strapless Wedding Dresses
      • Wedding Dresses Under $1000
      • Wedding Dresses Under $1500
    • Wedding Dress Collections
    • Wedding Dresses by Designer
    • Bridal Accessories
    • Wedding Clutches
    • Wedding Shoes
    • Wedding Jewelry
    • White Dresses
    • White Jumpsuits
    • Wedding Dress Style Ideas
    • Bridesmaid Dresses by Color
  • Bridesmaids
    • Red Bridesmaid Dresses
    • Pink Bridesmaid Dresses
    • Coral Bridesmaid Dresses
    • Yellow Bridesmaid Dresses
    • Neutral Bridesmaid Dresses
    • Beaded and Sequined Bridesmaid Dresses
    • Green Bridesmaid Dresses
    • Light Blue Bridesmaid Dresses
    • Dark Blue Bridesmaid Dresses
    • Purple Bridesmaid Dresses
    • Silver or Gray Bridesmaid Dresses
    • Black Bridesmaid Dresses
    • Plus Size Bridesmaid Dresses
    • Jenny Yoo Bridesmaid Dresses
    • Outfits + Attire Ideas
    • Show Me Your Mumu Bridesmaid Dresses
    • BHLDN Bridesmaid Dresses
    • Bridesmaid Dresses by Color
    • Gifts for Bridesmaids
  • Mothers
    • Red Dresses
    • Pink Dresses
    • Rose Gold Dresses
    • Coral Dresses
    • Yellow Dresses
    • Green Dresses
    • Light Blue Dresses
    • Dark Blue Dresses
    • Purple Dresses
    • Silver or Gray Dresses
    • Gold, Taupe, and Neutral Dresses
    • Sequined and Beaded Dresses
    • Black Dresses
    • Floral Mother of the Bride Dresses
    • Plus Size Mother-of-the-Bride Dresses
    • Mother of the Bride Dresses with Jackets
    • Spring Mother of the Bride Dresses
    • Summer Mother of the Bride Dresses
    • Fall Mother of the Bride Dresses
    • Winter Mother of the Bride Dresses
    • Mother of the Bride Outfits
  • Men
    • Tuxedos + Black Suits
    • Navy Blue Suits
    • Tan Suits
    • Groomsmen Gifts
  • The Wedding Shop
  • Search
  • LTK

Dress for the Wedding logo

Home » Mothers » Mother of the Bride Dresses for Small Weddings

September 23, 2020

Mother of the Bride Dresses for Small Weddings

Today, we're showing you an outdoor fall wedding outfit idea for a Mother of the Bride/Groom, plus more Mother-of-the-Bride dresses for small weddings for outdoor, city hall, and backyard ceremonies and receptions.

mother of the bride outfit for a small wedding

Dress: Jordan Belted Cocktail Dress by Kay Unger from Nordstrom  same print also available in a different dress Harley Sleeveless Floral Fit and Flare from Dillard's  | Earrings: Davie Stud Earrings by Kendra Scott from Nordstrom | Bracelet: Golden Moment Bracelet from Nordstrom | Clutch: Chelsea Metallic Snake Clutch from Dillard's  | Shoes: Lauralie Ankle Strap Sandal by Vince Camuto from Nordstrom

Mother of the Bride Dresses for Small Weddings

While small weddings have always been held, 2020 is certainly a year where intimate gatherings and celebrations with close friends and family-only are the main wedding events we're seeing. With so many weddings this season being downsized and held outside for safety, we are seeing a larger than usual demand for casual Mother of the Bride dresses that suit these smaller and more relaxed ceremonies and receptions. If you've had to have a change of plans or venue, then the ball gown or long beaded dress you may have originally selected for your Mother of the Bride dress may no longer suit the event.  

We are also seeing the cases of small vow ceremonies as a part of a change of plans for postponed weddings.  Many couples have chosen to move ahead with small vow ceremonies and are planning to hold another larger event in the future when it is safe to do so.  In those instances, many mothers are looking for new dresses to wear to the mini-ceremony, because they wish to save their original dress for the upcoming larger event. 

What Should the Mother of the Bride or Groom Wear to a Small Wedding?

Just because the wedding is small or has been downsized, it doesn't mean you don't want to dress up! More casual Mother-of-the-Bride styles are often shorter party dresses like the one in our Mother of the Bride outfit. Dresses for small weddings are also slightly less formal material, but they can still be as festive as can be. Long dresses still work as well, especially if it's an informal maxi dress style. Don't feel you have to stick to dresses that are specifically labeled for the Mother of the Bride; many daytime dressy casual dresses or semi-formal cocktail dresses can work perfectly with the right accessories. You might also try a pantsuit, jumpsuit, or just a dressy skirt and top combination.  Here are more dress picks below for small weddings. 

Shop More Mothers' Dresses for Small Weddings

Here are our latest finds for pretty dresses for casual weddings! Affiliate commission links are used in all shop sections. 

Where to Find Mother of the Bride Dresses for Small and Casual Weddings

 

Nordstrom

Nordstrom has a huge selection of cocktail dresses and daytime dress to add to their already large selection of Mother-of-the-Bride dress styles. Brands like Eliza J, Vince Camuto, and Alex Evenings offer dressy casual styles that are perfect for small weddings.

See More Dresses from Nordstrom 

BHLDN

BHLDN has really expanded their selection of short and more informal dresses for Mothers.  Also check out their wedding guest and bridesmaid styles, which work for Mothers' dresses too!

See More Dresses at BHLDN 

Dillards

Since Dillards is located in more southern regions of the US, they always have lighter sundress styles and pretty floral dresses that are perfectly suited for a micro wedding. We also love designers they carry like Adrianna Papell, Tadashi Shoji, and Kay Unger for casual, semiformal, and super formal styles for mothers of the wedding.

See More Dresses at Dillard's 

Talbots

Talbot's classic style works well for Mother of the Bride dresses. Their more tailored looks suit a city wedding, while their bright prints are perfect for a small beach ceremony. 

More Dresses at Talbots
 

David's Bridal

David's Bridal has over 400 styles of Mother of the Bride dresses. They also carry a ton of pantsuits and dresses with jackets that work perfectly for a smaller wedding venue. And, if neither of those suggestions suits you, take a look at the offerings for guests and bridesmaids which may be better suited for a small or casual wedding.

 
More Dresses at Davids's Bridal 

More Information for Small Weddings

 You may also like this post about Wedding Dresses for Small Weddings  or  Mother of the Bride Dresses for a Beach Wedding  and don't forget to check out Face Masks for Weddings

You might also want to shop Mother of the Bride dresses by color, or see more outfit ideas for Mothers of the Bride. 

 

More style ideas you might enjoy :

Navy Blue Evening Gown with Long Sleeves
Romantic and Unique Bridal Accessories from Blair Nadeau Bridal
Lace Midi Dresses
Lilly Pulitzer Dresses for Weddings
« Jenny by Jenny Yoo Wedding Dresses Fall 2020
Kelly Faetanini Wedding Dresses Fall 2020 »

Filed Under: Casual Wedding, Fall Wedding, Female Wedding Guest, Mothers, Wedding Guest Attire

Favorite Finds


 

Looking for more wedding style ideas? You can also browse our favorite wedding picks on Etsy.

Search this site

Primary Sidebar

Categories

Search

Follow Us!

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Footer

Wedding Style

  • Beach Wedding
  • Black Tie Wedding
  • Boho Wedding
  • Bridal Shower
  • Casual Wedding
  • Daytime Wedding
  • Destination Wedding
  • Elopement
  • Engagement
  • Formal Wedding
  • Semi-Formal Wedding
  • Rustic Wedding
  • Vow Renewal

Wedding Role

  • Brides
  • Bridesmaids
  • Grooms
  • Groomsmen
  • Mothers
  • Guests

Wedding Season

  • Fall Wedding
  • Summer Wedding
  • Winter Wedding
  • Spring Wedding

Pages

  • Policies, Terms, and Disclosures
  • Affiliate Disclosure
  • Submissions
  • Advertise

Color

  • Pink Wedding Attire
  • Red Wedding Attire
  • Blue Wedding Attire
  • Black Wedding Attire
  • Burgundy Wedding Attire
  • Green Wedding Attire
  • Coral Wedding Attire
  • Purple Wedding Attire
  • Beige Wedding Attire
  • Yellow Wedding Attire
  • Floral Wedding Attire
  • Orange Wedding Attire
  • Silver Wedding Attire
  • Gray Wedding Attire
  • Gold Wedding Attire
  • White Wedding Attire

Dress for the Wedding is a shoppable guide to help you find the perfect wedding attire. We create outfit inspiration collages, give attire tips, and offer shopping guides to some of our favorite wedding products. We do not directly stock, sell, or ship any of these items; we simply refer you to the designers, creators, and retail stores who do!

Find a Dress for a Wedding

Young flower girl in a white dress

Flower Girl Dresses

Long black dress, invitations, and wedding decor for a modern wedding

Modern Wedding Ideas

Three photos of red dresses showing guest of wedding dresses in the shade of red.

Red Dresses for Weddings

3 women in satin bridesmaid dresses in several colors and a bride

Satin Bridesmaid Dresses

4 images of purple dresses on models arranged in a collage showing purple dresses for bridesmaids to wear.

Purple Bridesmaid Dresses

Embellished lace wedding dress with overskirt

Bliss Monique Lhuillier Wedding Dresses Fall 2020

Copyright© 2023 · Brunch Pro by Feast Design Co.