The mother of the bride is in nearly every photo from the wedding day — the morning portraits, the ceremony, the family formals, the reception. Her look matters, and it's worth planning with the same intentionality as the bridal party.
Include her in the morning timeline
The most practical thing a bride can do for her mother is include her in the wedding morning styling schedule with the bridal team. This creates visual cohesion in photographs, removes the logistical complexity of the mother coordinating her own stylist, and gives her the experience of being part of the morning.
Mothers are typically scheduled in the middle of the morning — after the bridesmaids have been styled, before the bride begins. This positioning keeps the timeline intact and gives the bride's look maximum freshness for the ceremony.
What to communicate beforehand
When you tell your mother she's included, give her specific information: what to wear to the appointment, whether to bring reference photos, and how to prepare her hair. The same prep guidelines that apply to the bridal party apply here.
If she has specific concerns — she prefers a particular technique, has product sensitivities, wants to keep her signature look rather than try something new — communicate those to the stylist before the morning. Not as a surprise at 8 AM.
What works for the mother of the bride
The best looks for mothers are polished, appropriate to their personal style, and comfortable to wear for 12 hours. This is not the day for dramatic experimentation — it's the day for the best version of how she typically presents herself.
Classic low chignons, soft blowout styles, and refined half-up looks all work well. For makeup: a clean foundation, defined but not dramatic eyes, and a lip with color that photographs well in warm light.
The best look for a mother of the bride is the best version of herself — not a departure from it.
The mother of the groom
Everything above applies equally to the mother of the groom. Both mothers are consistently present in the day's most important photographs. If the budget allows, including both in the styling schedule creates a more cohesive visual result.
Planning to include mothers in your wedding morning? We build full-party schedules that account for everyone. Let's talk about your date.
Let's Talk →Frequently Asked Questions
Should the mother of the bride get her hair and makeup done by the bridal team?
Yes — if she's in photographs from the morning of, having her styled by the same team creates visual cohesion. It also simplifies the morning logistics considerably.
How much time does the mother of the bride need for hair and makeup?
Budget 45–75 minutes for hair only, 30–45 minutes for makeup only, and 75–105 minutes for both. Exact timing depends on the look and hair complexity.
When should the mother of the bride be styled in the morning timeline?
Mothers are typically scheduled in the middle of the morning — after the bridesmaids but before the bride. This ensures the bride's look is freshest at ceremony time.
