Finding the right dress for your daughter’s upcoming fall wedding can seem like an insurmountable task. Once you’ve overcome the hurdle of wedding dress codes, the options available can appear matronly or require powerful shapewear to be flattering. Instead of spending hours struggling in department store fitting rooms, keep reading. We’ve done the time-consuming research to find the best fall mother-of-the-bride dresses for your child’s upcoming autumn wedding for all bodies, including petite and plus. Don’t be surprised if you end up wearing one of these picks a second time: These gowns are comfortable, timeless, and will look stunning on you on the big day and in photos you’ll treasure for years to come.
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Thousands of tiny sequins have been meticulously stitched onto this stunning bronze gown to make it glimmer with your every move. The garment drapes beautifully and flatters all body types thanks to its sheer three-quarter-length sleeves and flattering ruching across the waist.
Size Range: 4-20 | Materials: Sequins, polyester | Length: Floor
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For an ultrachic look that all of your daughter’s guests will be obsessing over, consider this Staud dress for your mother-of-the-bride look this fall. It features the prettiest pops of color in a romantic floral pattern, all set against a black background to make it autumn-appropriate.
Size Range: XS-XL | Materials: Polyester | Length: Maxi
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Between the gorgeous draping and bold shade of blue, this Eloquii gown is perfect for the mom who wants to look and feel her best for her daughter’s fall wedding. The balloon sleeves add visual interest and will keep you warm in the late fall months when the temperatures drop.
Size Range: 14W-28W | Materials: Polyester | Length: Midi
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For an early fall wedding, consider this floral silk number from Erdem. The muted pink hues offer a pop of color that we think is perfect for September nuptials, while the cape-style sleeves help you withstand unpredictable fall temperatures and add an elegant touch that every mother-of-the-bride needs.
Size Range: UK 4-UK 22 | Materials: Silk | Length: Maxi
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While we think the elegant, preppy styling of this gown makes it especially ideal for coastal weddings, its hidden pockets in its voluminous skirt make it universally appealing—you’ll have your phone, lipstick, and extra tissues right at your fingertips all night. The metallic floral jacquard pattern subtly sparkles with every move.
Size Range: 0-18 | Materials: Polyester | Length: Floor
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Even if the dress code is cocktail or formal attire, you’ll want to wear an outfit that makes a statement. We’re a big fan of this dress from Betsy & Adam—we own it in multiple colorways and materials because it beautifully balances comfort and style. The crepe fabric is structured yet provides plenty of give, making it easy to move around the dance floor, while the ruching across the stomach smooths everything out, negating the need for shapewear. The cape-like sleeves add sophistication and photograph fabulously, especially from the back.
Size Range: 2-16, also available in petite | Materials: Polyester, spandex | Length: Midi
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Fall weather can be unpredictable, which is why we love this two-piece option from Alex Evenings. The satin gown features a sequined lace bodice that perfectly matches the included sheer jacket. The scalloped trim on the jacket’s three-quarter-length sleeves and open front adds an extra touch of appeal. Should you get a little too hot on the dance floor, you can remove the jacket to create a new look—and thanks to the sleeveless gown’s broad straps, you can easily wear your favorite bra underneath.
Size Range: 6-18, regular and petite | Materials: Polyester, nylon, spandex | Length: Floor
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This red-carpet-worthy gown is perfect for a black-tie evening wedding. The bodice’s faux sweetheart neckline is topped off with a sheer mesh cap-sleeved panel encrusted with strings of pearl and rhinestone beading, creating a dazzling illusion of multiple layered necklaces that cascade off the shoulders and down the back.
Size Range: 2-16 | Materials: Polyester | Length: Floor
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Portrait collars are very on trend right now, and we adore the way this gown from Tadashi Shoji combines that neckline in a taffeta material with a velvet bodice and skirt—it’s at once retro and timeless. Despite the sleek structure of the piece, there’s no underwire or boning in it, and the center slit up the skirt allows for additional ease of movement, making for a gown that’s comfortable to wear all night.
Size Range: XS-3XL | Materials: Polyester and spandex | Length: Floor
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Formal wedding dress codes can be hard to navigate, especially as a mother of the bride, but this beautifully constructed gown is perfectly dressy without being over the top, thanks to its high-low skirt. The draping fabric features a more festive, midi-length front and a dramatic, draping train at the back, as well as a modest, high neckline, yet a modern, racerback-like back to keep things interesting. It looks especially beautiful when paired with a large scarf or shawl, which will mimic the draping of the skirt while staving off a chill on breezy evenings. Bonus: It has hidden side pockets!
Size Range: 0-16 | Materials: Polyester | Length: High-low
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The asymmetrical neckline of this gown combines the visual appeal of a one-shoulder dress with the convenience and comfort of cap sleeves for a uniquely elegant look that is both understated and eye-catching. The sleek and stretchy fabric is ruched across the torso to add extra detail while smoothing out the stomach. As an added plus, many wearers noted that this dress is wrinkle-resistant, making it easy to pack for a destination wedding.
Size Range: 4-16; plus 14-20 | Materials: Polyester, spandex | Length: Floor
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Feel put-together and fashion-forward during your mother-of-the-bride duties with this Bernadette dress. Its taffeta material and deep navy color are ideal for nuptials during any fall month, and the rosette detail at the bust is the perfect chic touch.
Size Range: FR 34-FR 44 | Materials: Polyester, polyamide, elastane | Length: Maxi
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The intricate beading and sheer cuffed sleeves lend vintage flair to this effortlessly sophisticated gown. In addition to adoring how the stretchy knit drapes in the back for a subtle train-like effect, we love the pewter color, which is a welcome change from more predictable hues like black, navy, or emerald.
Size Range: 4-24 | Materials: Polyester | Length: Floor
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This gown from Betsy & Adam combines a trendy portrait collar in a glossy champagne hue with a matte black skirt for a gown that’s beautifully timeless. With flattering ruching across the stomach and hips, the scuba fabric resists wrinkling while providing both stretch and structure, making you feel held in but not restricted. The bodice features built-in cups and boning that help shape and secure your curves without the need for a strapless bra.
Size Range: 14-20, regular also available | Materials: Polyester, spandex | Length: Floor
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A midi moment is best for a cocktail or semi-formal wedding, yet the unique pattern on the tulle overlay ensures you stand out (in all the right ways) as the mother of the bride. Don’t worry about buying a slip; this dress comes with a matching one, regardless of the color you choose.
Size Range: 2-24 | Materials: Polyester | Length: Midi
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We love this stunning Simkhai shirtdress for the minimalist moms wanting to venture slightly out of their comfort zones for such an important celebration. The gorgeous dark hue, tailored bodice, and bold bow belt detail give it an undeniable air of sophistication for a formal wedding.
Size Range: 00-14 | Materials: Polyester, nylon | Length: Maxi
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We love a beaded moment, especially with a simple black gown. Any maximalist mom will appreciate the intricate floral embellishments on the bodice of this dress, and we’d be remiss not to mention the subtle bow detail at the waist—it’s the most understated, yet elegant, touch.
Size Range: 0-14 | Materials: Polyester | Length: Floor
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If black is the most recurrent shade in your wardrobe, you’ll love this Bernadette dress for your mother-of-the-bride look this fall. The silhouette and midi hemline are the simplest elements of this dress, though the crepe de chine fabric and exaggerated taffeta bow make it glamorous enough for a formal wedding.
Size Range: FR 34-FR 44 | Materials: Polyester, elastane | Length: Midi
Why Trust BRIDES
Emily Orofino is a regular BRIDES contributor with over 15 years of experience as a writer, editor, and brand consultant in the lifestyle space. BRIDES writer Maddie Barber updated this story with additional product picks after extensive research on the fall mother-of-the-bride dresses.
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