Mother of the Bride Dresses: What do I wear to a Garden Wedding?
The Chief Blonde and her handsome husband, Walt, pose on the Edmonton-Alston House veranda, Charleston, SC. The Chief Blonde’s Charleston Fashion is a strapless tulle dress c/o David’s Bridal (), a turquoise shrug (Sam’s Club $12.99) (), vintage filigree scatter pins, vintage Italian weave bag (), and vintage Halle Bob shoes from ebay (). Walt is wearing a Men’s Tall Shirt from Kohl’s () and (Photos Courtesy of Olsonography)
Only one of my children is married. It is my stepson, so I have never been the mother of the bride. However, I am often asked about Garden Wedding Mother of the Bride Dresses. “What should I wear? What would YOU wear?” These are few of my suggestions. At the end you will find resources to find various Mother of the Bride Dresses for every kind of wedding.
Knee Length Dress, formal material, bright accents.
In the outfit above, you will note I went with an at the knee length dress. I still have bit of tulle in the dress to note formality. But due to the shorter length and the bright colored shrug, this dress can easily be worn for a garden wedding mother of the bride dress, an afternoon garden party, or even attending as a guest to a formal outdoor affair.
All clothing from Kohl’s except shoes. Walt is wearingand. Shelley is featuring and Nine West Espadrilles.
Printed Dress
The dress above is just above the knee. It would be worn at a very casual outdoor wedding. It’s cute and fun but understated enough for the mother of the bride to carry off. Note the wedge espadrilles, they are great for adding height but still enabling you to walk in the grass in a higher shoes. .
Walt and Shelley Zurek for Kohl’s featuring Mint and Tall Men Fashions. Promotional item was provided by Kohl’s. All clothing from Kohl’s. Walt is wearingand. Shelley is wearing Indication by .
Maxi-Dress
Maxi Dresses are a perfect choice for Garden Party Mother of the bride dresses. They are great for covering up and adding modesty and an air of being dressy but still work great outdoors.
Dresses from
Evening Garden Wedding Mother of the Bride Dresses
In most situations, even if the party is outdoors, if the party is meant to be in the evening the dress generally moves to a more formal attitude. The dresses above are more formal and designer focused but still maintain an air of party fun and outdoor sweetness.
Sources for Great Garden Wedding Mother of the Bride Dresses
- Kohl’s Mother of the Bride Dresses Surprisingly cute styles, wildly affordable!
- Saks (lots of elegant choices)
- Lisa La Moda (Brits know how to do formal)
- Nordstrom’s (huge selection)
- Light in the Box (Many affordable choices!)
- Shopbop.com Large selection of designer dresses (many small sizes)
- David’s Bridal (Nice quality)
- Adoring Dress (some vintage inspired dresses)
- New Dress
- JC Penney (Best place for a classic neutral dress)
- WeddingDress.com (Surprising choices)
- New York Dress (crappy site but gorgeous dresses)
UPDATE: This post on “Garden Wedding Mother of the Bride Dresses” originally contained a Kohl’s Gift Card Giveaway. The Rafflecopter entry device has been removed and had 8345 entries. See Giveaway Winners.





I love the Women’s Indication Floral Sheath Dress, beautiful floral print! I would wear with these cute Easy Street Waive Women’s Dress Heels!
I would love the Connected Apparel Sequin Drapeneck Lace Dress in the Spruce color. I love the color and the sequins and I think it would be beautiful at a garden wedding.
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I like the Women’s Chaps Surplice Drape-Front Full-Length Dress! I like long dresses with details that help cover up bumps. 🙂
I like this dress: kohls.com/product/prd-2246129/chaps-floral-lace-dress-womens.jsp
I feel like you could dress it up for a night wedding and down for a day wedding!
I picked the Chaps Solid Knot-Front Empire Dress in blue I like the simple style and the longer arms
For a casual garden party wedding, I would choose the Chaps Surplice Empire Dress. I love the fun polka dot pattern and like the fact that it’s sleeveless so that it can either be worn as is on a warm day, or with a shrug on a cooler day.
I like the Dana Bucan striped sheAth. Very classic and easy to dress up with jewelry..
I would love to wear the Chaps Mixed-Media Lace Sheath Dress because I love the lace in the sleeves!!
I would choose the Chaps Embellished Drapeneck Faux-Wrap Evening Gown since it is sleek looking and comfortable.
I like the Chaps Solid Knot-Front Empire Dress – Women’s. It’s a nice medium length, and I really like those elbow sleeves. The knotted style is cute, and I’d like to try.
I would like the Chaps Mixed-Media Lace Sheath Dress because the lace detail is beautiful and gives me great coverage up top and showing nice leg, too.
I really like the Women’s Apt. 9® Striped Fit & Flare Dress! It looks like it would be great for my body shape.
It’s nice to see Walt in the pictures again. You make a wonderful couple.
I like the Chaps Embellished Wrap Long Dress for my daughter’s wedding coming up.
LOVE the women’s Chaps Surplice Empire Dress
it’s so easy breezy, but can be casual or added a fancy wrap for a more formal looks!
I think the jessica howard floral pieced fit flare dress is really cute
I like the Chaps Solid Knot-Front Empire Dress. I like the Empire waistband and the shirred details.
I would like to get the Women’s Connected Apparel Floral Shift Dress & Shrug Set in Rose Floral. I think the floral pattern would be perfect for a garden party and it comes with its own shrug for a bit of modesty. Plus it has a sweetheart neckline which is my favorite!!
I love the Jessica Howard Floral Pieced Fit & Flare Dress for a garden wedding. The pattern is absolutely lovely while not being too overly casual and the flared skirt is a very flattering shape, at least for me! I also like that it’s got a “sleeveless” rather than “strappy” look.
I love Women’s Chaps Surplice Drape-Front Full-Length Dress because it is gorgeous.