There are a few moments more wonderful than watching your child say “I do” to the love of their life. A celebration so special calls for a fashion look that’s just as remarkable. While shopping for the perfect mother of the bride or mother of the groom dress, however, you might feel overwhelmed by the choices. With so many different styles out there, it can be hard to narrow down your options. That’s why starting with your ideal neckline—such as a halter—is a stress-free way to find your best occasion look.
We love that halter dresses tend to be comfortable (you won't have to worry about a strapless gown sliding down all evening) without looking matronly (not everyone wants to cover their arms!). They're also incredibly customizable—you can choose a a halter neckline with thicker or thinner straps, add off-the-shoulder sleeves, or even accessorize with something like a cape. What's more, halter necklines tend to be extremely flattering. While this style works for most body types, they look especially lovely on those with broad shoulders and straight or hourglass figures, since the point at the neck draws the eye in.
And, perhaps best of all, dresses with halter necklines can be found in a variety of different fabrics, shapes, lengths, and formalities, which means there's an option to fit any event. Whether you’re attending a casual daytime wedding or an evening, black-tie affair, there’s a halter gown out there just waiting to wow.
Ahead, we're sharing 15 mothers of the bride and groom who donned halter dresses for their children's weddings so that you can use their stylish looks as shopping inspiration.
An Embellished Silver Halter Dress
If you’re looking to wear something with a little sparkle, we think you’ll love a beaded halter dress, like the one this mom wore for her daughter's elegant New York City wedding. Whether you go for a silver moment, as seen here, or even opt for gold or rose gold, you’ll look and feel incredible on your child’s big day.
An Emerald Green Halter Dress
When color is the name of the game at your child's nuptials—as it was for this bold celebration in Austin—it's practically required that your attire follow suit. To play off the bright yellow aisle, this mom chose a flowy halter neck gown in a rich emerald green hue.
An Eye-Catching Pink Halter Dress
Choosing attire that speaks to the theme of your daughter or son's wedding is always a good idea. Case in point? For her daughter's retro-inspired Palm Springs nuptials, this mom donned a hot pink gown complete with a halter neckline; the bold hue spoke to the celebration's overarching design.
A Glamorous Gold Halter Dress
If you gravitate towards glamorous looks, bookmark this mother of the groom's gorgeous gold dress. Her son and future daughter-in-law planned a chic and modern mountain wedding in Malibu, and because the day's design was rooted largely in tones of green and white, this lovely mom's golden gown popped without detracting from the décor.
A Textural Blue Halter Dress
Since her daughter's Hudson Valley, New York, wedding was packed with Chinoiserie details, it made sense for this mother of the bride to wear a blue gown. The patchwork-inspired design featured several different textural patterns, ruching at the waist, and a lovely halter neckline paired with a keyhole back—her look was sophisticated, elegant, and very thematic.
An Elegant Blue Halter Dress
For her daughter's Monet-inspired wedding in Chicago, this beautiful mother of the bride sought out a dress with a painterly feel. The winning number? A patterned blue halter gown that almost looked as if it had been hand-painted. The flowing ties that made up the halter neckline also added a little something extra to her look from behind.
A Pink Halter Dress With a Cowl Detail
While the mothers of the bride and groom should feel empowered to wear any color gown they like (assuming their children have cleared it!), we always think a pale pink is a universally flattering option. For her daughter's modern barn wedding, this mom chose a blush satin gown with a halter neckline and cowl detail—this is a great way to add a little interest to an otherwise simple look without going overboard.
A Gathered Blue Floral Halter Dress
Is your child planning an ultra-classic wedding? A navy gown is a go-to option that'll work in just about any locale. For her daughter's at-home wedding in Los Angeles, this mom donned a pleated blue halter dress with a subtle floral pattern, which was a timeless option for the day.
A Patterned Blue Halter Dress
Are you looking for a halter mother-of-the-bride or -groom dress that works in tropical locales? Take note of this gorgeous option, which one happy mom wore for her child's nuptials in Jamaica. Thin straps, light colors, and more breathable fabrics will ensure the neckline works in a warmer climate.
A Pink Beaded Halter Dress
For her fashion designer daughter's wedding in Provence, France, it was only fitting that this stunning mother of the bride choose a stylish look of her own. To fit the elegant vibe of the day, she stunned in a beaded blush pink gown complete with an ultra-flattering halter neckline.
A Beaded Navy Halter Dress
Here's a halter gown that offers the best of all worlds—with thin halter straps and off-the-shoulder sleeves, this beaded number, which the proud mom wore for her child's Italian wedding, provided just the right amount of coverage.
A Pale Blue Halter Dress
When it comes to a mother-of-the-bride or -groom dress, we think any flowy, breezy fabric is a no-brainer—and that's especially true when your child is tying the knot in a warm climate. For her daughter's Napa Valley nuptials, this mom chose a chic blue gown in a light satin fabric, which ensured she stayed cool in the sun.
A Beaded Halter Dress With a Cape
Yes, you can accessorize a halter mother-of-the-bride or -groom dress! While you likely wouldn't layer on a necklace with this silhouette, we love how it looks when paired with a cape. At her daughter's "beach glam" wedding in Mexico, this mom added a sparkling accessory to take her look to the next level. We also love how the neckline nodded to her daughter's own big-day look.
A Bold Red Halter Dress With a Deep V
Some people say it’s bad luck to wear red to a wedding, while others say the exact opposite. We’re personally big fans of wearing the hue, especially for a mother of the bride or groom, and this drapey halter dress—worn for a garden wedding in Italy—was perfect for the occasion. We love how the “straps” are a bit thicker, allowing for more coverage.
A Pink Floral Halter Dress
There's no need to shy away from pattern just because you're choosing a halter neckline—the two concepts are not mutually exclusive. To keep your look from becoming too busy, go for larger patterns in hues that coordinate with your look's min color. At her daughter's Colorado wedding, this mom chose a blush gown with red and pink floral details.