33 Emotional Mother of the Bride Photos for Inspiration on Your Big Day

These are some of the sweetest moments.

Updated 04/12/21

Mother and daughter on wedding day — PHOTO BY A HEART STRING

Your wedding day is all about you, but for mom, it's just as important. The day her child gets married is a major moment in a woman's life. And just as the couple is filled with a range of emotions—everything from excitement, nerves, and sheer joy—the mother of the bride is feeling the same.

In preparation for your own wedding day, take note of all the sweet ways to capture the special memories you and your own mother may share when you tie the knot. You can even show these wedding photos to your photographer so they can use them as inspiration on your wedding day.

From classic getting-ready moments to silly, sweet dances, these 33 mother of the bride photos perfectly illustrate the bond between a mom and her child on their big day. Grab your tissues and scroll down to see all of our favorite mother of the bride moments.

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Help From Mom With the Wedding Dress

This joyous bride went dress shopping with her mom and future mother-in-law, admitting she didn't know this sheath dress was "the one" until they were both speechless at the salon.

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A Mother-Daughter Duo on the Dance Floor

Bride and mother dance during reception — Photo by Kelly Anne Berry

Sure, sure, you may have just gotten a partner in life—but your mom will always be your partner on the dance floor! This mother-daughter duo did just that to celebrate.

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Multiple Generations in One Room

bride getting ready — Photo by Jennifer Emerling

Expecting brides, be sure to celebrate your soon-to-be mom status by capturing some sweet portraits before the ceremony. Extra points for including mom in the multigenerational moment, as this bride did.

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A Special Moment Before the Ceremony

bride and mother of the bride — Photo by Chris and Ruth Photography

Make like this gorgeous bride and share a special moment with mom ahead of the ceremony. (Just try not to cry off your mascara!)

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Sharing a Hug and a Kiss With Mom

bride and mother of bride — Photo by Hannah Costello

Give mom some love on your wedding day! How sweet is this mother-daughter duo sharing a moment before the bride walks down the aisle.

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Asking Mom to Give You Away

<p>bride with mom</p><br><br> — Photo by Laurken Kendall

At this stunning wedding in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, the bride's mother walked her down the aisle as a Spanish guitarist played “And I Love Her” by The Beatles. "She had me when she was just a kid herself and we have truly grown up together," Myriah says. "It was so important and symbolic for me that she held my hand down the aisle and gave me away to Charlie."

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Getting Ready With Mom and Bridesmaids

Here, mother of the bride (and Oscar-nominated actress!) Glenn Close shares an emotional moment with her daughter Annie Starke. The getting ready moments truly are some of the most memorable!

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A Special Gift From Mom

As if you didn't think you could smile (or cry!) more on your big day, a special wedding gift courtesy of your mother is bound to do the trick. Here, this bride smiles as she opens her day-of surprise.

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Hand in Hand Down the Aisle

Bride and mother entering cermeony — Photo by Pedro Vilela

Your mom has held your hand through it all, so what could make more sense than taking this walk down the aisle hand in hand, as this bride and her mother did?

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Having a Heart-to-Heart While Getting Dressed

bride getting dressed — Photo by Raquel Reis

At this glamorous New York City wedding, the bride let her mother shine in statement gowns. Of course, getting ready with mom is as special of a moment as any.

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Sharing a Silly Moment

The bride gets into her wedding dress — Photo by Hannah Pickle

While serious moments are important on your wedding day, so are the silly ones! Make like this bride and share a few laughs with mom as you get ready.

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Posing During a Tea Ceremony

The bride and her mother — Photo by Samm Blake

During this tea ceremony, bride Cindy wore a traditional qipao dress, which she and her mother had traveled to Shanghai to shop for. There, they worked with a tailor who created the bride’s bespoke dress from fabric embroidered with peonies, an auspicious flower in Chinese culture.

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A Kiss From Mom Before the Ceremony

This bride certainly knew a kiss from mom is well worth the smeared makeup. We love this special moment as the bride finished getting ready.

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A Spin Around the Dance Floor

Bride and groom dancing with mother — Photo by Olivia Rae James

Mom just gained a daughter or son-in-law; obviously, that calls for a spin on the dance floor, as this couple proved at their tented wedding in Charleston!

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A Traditional Processional With Mom

This traditional Xhosa wedding included a processional to escort the bride from the parking lot to the ceremony site. Of course, mom was one of the main members of the processional party to share the sweet moment.

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Mom Participating With a Robe of Her Own

When gifting robes to your bridesmaids, don't forget to include your mother's robe as well. We love this mother of the bride's botanical-inspired wrap!

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Zipping Up the Dress With Mom

mother buttoning bride's dress — Photo by Alixann Loosle

No matter our age, we could use a little help from mom—even on our wedding day! We love this sweet moment as mom helps to zip up the bride's dress.

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Escorted by Both Mom and Dad

bride and parents — Photo by Heather Kincaid

Bride Stephanie was escorted down the aisle by both her mother and father at her wedding in Bel Air, California. This is such a sweet way to incorporate mom in this special moment!

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Getting Help With Shoes From Mom

You know mom will go to great lengths to ensure her daughter has the perfect wedding day. Help with putting on shoes once you're in your dress is crucial, and it makes for an intimate moment with mom.

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Walking Down the Aisle Together

mother of the bride pink dress — Photo by Amy and Stuart Photography

Having your mom walk you down the aisle is a sweet spin on tradition. This bride's mother, holding a single bloom to match the bouquet, escorted her down the aisle before her uncle officiated the ceremony.

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A Hug From Mom

bride and maid of honor hugging — Photo by Dacia Pierson of Eager Hearts Photography

No matter how old you are, sometimes you just need a hug from mom—as this duo reminds us.

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Cake Cutting With Both Sets of Parents

<p>couple cutting cake with their parents</p><br><br> — Photo by Trent Bailey Photography

At this wedding, the newlyweds included both their mothers and fathers in their cake cutting. “Our wedding date was both of our parents’ 45th anniversaries,” says Claire. "We invited them up to help us cut our chocolate and vanilla cake, and the band played ‘You’ve Made Me So Very Happy’ by Blood, Sweat and Tears, which was my parents’ first-dance song at their wedding.”

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A Quick Kiss For Good Luck

Bride with mother of the bride — Photo by Rachel May Photography

A quick kiss from mom is the last thing you'll need before walking down the aisle. There's no such thing as too much good luck, right?!

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A Gorgeous Overhead Shot

ceremony in home — Photo by Kate Headley

In a room full of people, you know your mother always has eyes on you. We love the unique angle in which this special moment was captured.

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A Heartwarming Moment Between Mother and Daughter

Bride and Her Mother — Photo by Pat Furey Photography

There’s nothing better than a heartwarming hug from mom, especially on your wedding day.

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A Mother-Daughter Duo Sharing a Laugh

Mother of the Bride and Bride — Photo by Cody & Alison Photography

This pair knows how to make getting ready fun. Mom knows you best after all!

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An Emotional Moment Walking Down the Aisle

That moment when mom walks you down the aisle. We love the emotion captured in this beautiful photo.

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A Tender Moment While Getting Ready for the Ceremony

This photo captures such a sweet, tender moment between mother and daughter.

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A Pep Talk From Mom

Bride with mother of bride — Photo by A Heart String

Your mother has always been your personal hype woman. She'll, of course, be taking her job very seriously on your wedding day, as this mother did at her daughter's wedding in Brooklyn, New York.

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The Cherished Look on Mom's Face

The look on this mother’s face as her daughter glams up says everything.

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One Last Hug Before the Ceremony

A good-luck hug from mom is just what the bride needs before walking down the aisle.

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A Bride Honoring Her Mother's Heritage With Her Sari

The bride gets dressed for her wedding. — Photo by Edward Winter for READYLUCK

At this vibrant wedding at Cedar Lakes Estate, the bride honored her mother's heritage in the color of her sari. “Yellow is the color traditionally worn by brides with a Telugu background from South India,” explains bride Maanasa, who wore a buttercup-hued Kanjivaram silk sari.

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A Moment of Prayer

This stunning elopement in Moab, Utah, was all about the details. One of the most beautiful moments was the bride sharing a prayer with her mom and bridesmaids before the ceremony.

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