Best mother of the bride or groom outfits of 2024 for summer weddings that aren't frumpy

If your daughter or son is getting married, you'll want to choose a mother of the bride or groom outfit for the occasion that keeps you feeling comfortable, as well as looking elegant, all day. 

Express.co.uk has put together the best mother of the bride and groom dresses for all kinds of nuptials, from the likes of Marks and Spencer, Phase Eight, Boden, Hobbs and more. 

These styles are far from frumpy and can be worn with a blazer or jacket, as well as with strappy sandals, court shoes, or flats for a stylish look. They'll also look great alongside a fascinator. 

A chic option for summer weddings, whether you fancy something printed or plain, the occasionwear below is sure to have you feeling the most confident on the big day. 

Phase Eight Daisy Lace Double Layer Dress - £169

With a detachable lace overlay, the Daisy dress is two beautiful styles in one. The floral lace detailing can be removed for a more casual look, or kept on for an extra touch of elegance. Soft dusky blue will suit all skin tones and the dress even comes with a matching jacket, shoes, handbag and fascinator to complete the outfit. 

Stocked in sizes six to 26, it also comes in petite and regular depending on your height. Customers have said that the dress is "very comfortable and classy" and one person who wore it to their daughter's wedding wrote how it looked "amazing". 

Marks and Spencer Polka Dot Midi Waisted Dress - £89

Marks and Spencer is a fail-safe option and if you shop there frequently, you'll know which size fits you comfortably. This polka dot dress is a timeless choice that would suit all kinds of wedding celebrations, whether it's a country house or a city soirée. The pearl buttons provide a sophisticated finish but the pretty design adds a touch of fun. 

One happy customer wrote: "This dress reminded me of a dress that costs hundreds! I love the colour, the buttons and the long sleeves. It’s the kind of dress you would wear on a special occasion." However, some say that it is best suited for those who are a bit taller.

Boden Kassidy Jersey Midi Dress - £98

Princess Kate and Amanda Holden have worn Boden on several occasions thanks to their stylish and comfortable designs. The Kassidy dress features a very flattering silhouette that will cinch you in at the waist.

It's ideal if you prefer a style that has more coverage on the arms and the flowing skirt will skim your body.  Stocked in petite or regular sizing, in four to 22, wearers are "really happy with this dress", describing it as "a perfect fit and so comfortable, as well as smart." If you're not a fan of the green print, it comes in several other patterns. 

L K Bennett Agnes Wiggle Print Georgette Dress - £299

This L K Bennett dress is one of the more pricier options in our edit, but it is very high quality and will last you for years to come. The versatile pick can be worn to a wedding and then dressed down for casual events later down the line giving you more for your money.

With flattering frilled sleeves and an elegant print, you're bound to receive compliments if you opt for this dress. You can choose from petite or regular sizing and should be careful when washing so as to not damage the delicate material. 

John Lewis Hobbs Aurora Splatter Print Midi Dress - £189

John Lewis is an excellent place to look for mother of the bride or groom outfits as they stock several fashionable brands. This Hobbs dress is long sleeved so you might not have to bring a cover-up and the monochrome colour palette means you can wear any colour accessories. 

Reviewers note that it does come up small so you may wish to size up. One person wrote: "I bought this dress for a wedding. It looks great on the super-slim model in the photo, but the design is also very flattering for those of a more curvy nature - I bought a size 16.

"It really does hide a multitude of sins. It's fully lined which means it drapes beautifully and feels very special."