Budget Mother of the Bride Outfits, Where to Shop

Once you start shopping for a mother of the bride or groom outfit, it quickly becomes clear that not all shops work at every price point.

A $150/£100 budget, a $250/£200 budget, and a $400/£300 budget all lead you to very different places, and knowing that upfront can save a lot of wasted time.

Some retailers specialise in lower-cost occasionwear, others focus on mid-range formal dresses, and some only really make sense once you reach the higher end of the budget scale.

Without that context, it’s easy to scroll endlessly, try on the wrong styles, or feel frustrated when nothing seems to fit both the role and the price.

Below, we break down where to shop for mother of the bride and groom outfits by budget, and what each price range realistically offers.

So you can focus on the retailers that make sense for you and shop with confidence from the start.

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Where to Shop for Budget Mother of the Bride Dresses

If you’re trying to stay within a budget, knowing where to look matters just as much as knowing how much to spend. Most mothers don’t buy from one single brand — they shop retailers that carry a range of styles, prices, and designers in one place.

Starting with the right stores saves time, stress, and a lot of unnecessary scrolling.

Department Stores (a reliable place to start)

Department stores are one of the easiest places to find a budget-friendly mother of the bride dress. They offer a wide range of occasionwear, clear filters, and usually straightforward returns. Department stores work well because you can filter by sleeve length, colour, dress length, and size — which makes narrowing down suitable options much easier.

Nordstrom & Nordstrom Rack
A good place to browse even if you’re watching your budget. Many dresses fall under $400, and you’ll often find options closer to $250 from established occasionwear designers. Nordstrom Rack stock changes often, but it can be a good place to find recognised brands at lower prices.

Macy’s
One of the most popular places mothers shop in the US. Macy’s carries a large number of dresses under $250, with regular sales bringing prices closer to $150.

Dillard’s
Known for more classic, traditional styles. A strong option if you’re looking for something elegant rather than trendy, with many suitable dresses under $400 and a good selection under $250.

John Lewis and Marks & Spencer
Popular UK options for simple, well-made dresses and separates, particularly for daytime or semi-formal weddings.

Occasionwear brands worth knowing

Once you have a clearer idea of the style you’re looking for, it can help to browse established occasionwear brands that are known for mother-appropriate designs.

Brands such as Adrianna Papell, Phase Eight, and Coast are particularly popular. These are often stocked within department stores as well as on their own websites, which means you may see the same styles priced differently across retailers.

Online-first brands like ASOS and Lulus can also work well, especially for simpler silhouettes or more modern styles, as long as sizing and returns are checked carefully.

Budget-friendly online options

For tighter budgets, many mothers also turn to large online marketplaces such as Amazon. This can be a practical option for simpler dresses, plus-size ranges, or last-minute purchases, particularly when reviews and customer photos are taken into account.

Lower-cost overseas retailers, such as LightInTheBox, Ever Pretty, JJ’s House, Azazie and Cicinia are sometimes considered as well. A few of these can be found on Amazon also.

While these sites can offer very competitive pricing, quality, sizing, and return policies can vary. They tend to be best suited to simple designs and for those who are comfortable allowing extra time for delivery and potential alterations.

budget expectations

You should always work with your budget. I believe you can find something beautiful to wear no matter the budget you have. For this post we are covering place to find outfits in these budget ranges:

Under $400 / £300 – department store and high-end high street occasionwear
Under $250 / £200 – well-made dresses with simpler construction
Under $150 / £100 – more straightforward styles where fit and fabric matter most

Budget Mother of the Bride Dresses Under $400 / £300

This is the price range where most mothers find something that feels special without feeling excessive. Dresses in this bracket are usually designed specifically for formal occasions, with better fabrics, more structure, and silhouettes that hold their shape throughout the day.

If you want a dress that feels comfortable, photographs well, and still looks appropriate for the role, this is often the easiest range to shop in.

1. Adrianna Papell

Adrianna Papell is one of the most reliable choices for mother of the bride dresses. The designs are elegant and timeless, without feeling dated, and many styles are created with formal weddings in mind.

Most dresses sit comfortably under $400, with a wide selection available closer to the $250 to $350 range depending on fabric and detailing. Sizing is generally consistent, and the brand offers a good plus-size range, which makes it a popular and reassuring option for many mothers.

Adrianna Papell dresses are widely available through department stores such as Nordstrom and Macy’s, as well as directly through the brand’s own website.

2. Mac Duggal

Mac Duggal offers a more elevated and fashion-forward take on occasionwear, but many of their dresses still fall under the $400 mark, particularly simpler evening styles.

This brand works well for formal or evening weddings where you want something that feels polished and a little more striking, without being over the top. Some styles can run slightly small, so checking measurements before ordering is important.

Mac Duggal dresses are typically stocked by Nordstrom and selected department stores, both online and in store.

3. Phase Eight

Phase Eight is a strong choice for mothers who prefer understated, elegant designs. Many of their occasion dresses, jumpsuits, and coordinated sets fall just under the £300 mark, particularly outside peak wedding season.

The styles tend to be classic rather than trend-driven, which makes them a good option if you want something that will still look appropriate in photographs years later. Sizing is generally reliable, and some styles are available in petite fits.

Phase Eight can be found through its own website and selected department stores in the UK. Although it’s a UK-based brand, they ship to the US with surprisingly good delivery times and easy returns, which makes it a great option even if you’re shopping internationally.

4. Coast

Coast is slightly more trend-led, but there are plenty of mother-appropriate styles within this price range, particularly tailored midi dresses and structured occasionwear.

Some styles can run narrow, so it is worth checking measurements carefully. Coast dresses are stocked both through the brand’s own website and through department stores such as Nordstrom in the US.

This brand works particularly well for modern, city weddings.

5. David’s Bridal

David’s Bridal remains a popular option, especially in the US, for mothers looking for a traditional and dependable choice. While best known for bridal gowns and bridesmaid dresses, the retailer also stocks a large selection of mother of the bride styles at accessible prices.

Many dresses fall well under $400, and the ability to try dresses on in store can be reassuring. Sizing is inclusive and consistent across most collections, which makes it a practical option if fit is a concern.

David’s Bridal dresses are available both in store and online.

Budget Mother of the Bride Dresses Under $250 / £200

This price range is where value really matters. Dresses here are usually simpler in construction than higher-end occasionwear, but there are still plenty of elegant, appropriate options if you focus on fit, fabric, and overall silhouette.

Many mothers find this range works best for daytime weddings, less formal venues, or when styling is doing more of the work.

6. Betsy & Adam

Betsy & Adam is a strong choice if you want something that feels occasion-ready without moving into higher price brackets. The designs are polished and often slightly more modern, making them a good option for city or evening weddings.

Most dresses sit comfortably under $250, with longer gowns and structured midis both common. Fabrics tend to be lightweight but well finished, which helps dresses sit nicely without feeling heavy.

Sizing is generally consistent, though checking measurements is always worthwhile. Betsy & Adam dresses are most commonly found through department stores such as Nordstrom and Macy’s.

7. Alex Evenings

Alex Evenings is one of the most popular brands for mothers shopping in this range. The styles are classic and specifically designed for formal events, which makes them feel reassuring rather than trend-driven.

This brand is particularly good if you want coverage, sleeves, or a coordinated jacket or top layer. Many dresses fall well under $250, especially jersey and chiffon styles.

Sizing is inclusive and tends to be forgiving, which is one reason so many mothers return to this brand. Alex Evenings is widely stocked at Macy’s, Dillard’s, and other department stores.

8. Azazie

Azazie is best known for bridesmaids, but it has become an increasingly popular option for mother of the bride dresses as well. Pricing usually sits comfortably under $250, with a wide range of colours and styles available.

This can be a particularly good option if coordinating with the wedding colour palette matters, as Azazie offers consistent shades across its collections. Styles tend to be simple and formal, which works well for many weddings.

Azazie dresses are ordered online, and delivery times should be factored in when planning.

9. Department stores

Department stores play a key role in this budget bracket, as they bring several suitable brands together in one place. Retailers such as Macy’s, John Lewis and Dillard’s regularly stock dresses under $250/£200 that are appropriate for mothers of the bride or groom.

Browsing department stores allows you to compare fabrics, sleeve styles, and lengths easily, and to take advantage of seasonal promotions without committing to a single brand.

They also run great seasonal sales so can get a great deal if you shop wisely.

Budget Mother of the Bride Dresses Under $150 / £100

This is the lowest price range most mothers consider for a wedding outfit, and it can work well with the right expectations. Dresses at this level are usually simpler in construction, lighter in fabric, and less structured, but they can still look appropriate and elegant when the fit is right.

This range suits daytime weddings, smaller celebrations, or mothers who prefer a very understated look and plan to elevate the outfit with shoes, jewellery, or a jacket.

10. Amazon

Many mothers do buy their dresses from Amazon, particularly when working to a strict budget or a shorter timeline. Amazon offers a wide range of styles under $150, including plus-size options and simple occasion dresses.

This works best when focusing on straightforward designs and taking time to read recent reviews and look at customer photos. Amazon can also be useful for jackets, wraps, and accessories that help finish the outfit.

Easy returns are often one of the main reasons mothers choose this option.

11. ASOS

ASOS can be a useful option in this price range, particularly for mothers who prefer a more modern or relaxed style. Many dresses fall under £100 or $150, especially midi-length designs and simpler silhouettes.

Quality can vary by style, so choosing cleaner cuts and checking fabric details helps avoid anything that feels too casual. ASOS works best when paired with more classic accessories to balance the look.

Returns are straightforward, which can make trying a couple of options less stressful.

12. Ever-Pretty

Ever-Pretty is one of the most well-known budget occasionwear brands, and it sits firmly in this price range. Most styles are priced well under $150, with only a small number of more embellished dresses exceeding that.

The designs tend to be simple and formal, which works best for mothers when choosing classic silhouettes rather than statement styles. Fabrics are generally lightweight, and tailoring or minor alterations can make a noticeable difference to the final look.

Ever-Pretty is an online-only retailer, so checking measurements carefully before ordering is important.

13. LightInTheBox

LightInTheBox and similar overseas retailers often appear when searching for lower-cost mother of the bride dresses. Prices are typically well under $150, but quality, sizing, and fabric can vary considerably.

These sites tend to work best for very simple styles and for those who are comfortable ordering early and allowing time for adjustments. Return policies can be more complicated, so it is worth reading the details carefully before ordering.

Tips for Finding a Mother of the Bride or Groom Outfit Within Your Budget

Start by deciding your budget early and treat it as a guide rather than a target. Knowing your upper limit makes it much easier to rule out options that will only add pressure later on.

Focus on fit before detail. At every price point, a well-fitting simple dress will look more polished than a heavily embellished one that doesn’t sit quite right. If tailoring is an option, even minor adjustments can make a big difference.

Use filters when shopping online. Filtering by sleeve length, dress length, and colour will save time and help you focus only on styles that are genuinely appropriate for the day.

Be open to department stores and multi-brand retailers. These often carry the same dress at different price points and make it easier to compare styles side by side.

Leave room in your budget for finishing touches. Shoes, a jacket or wrap, and jewellery can elevate a simpler dress and help the outfit feel complete without increasing the dress budget itself.

If you’re unsure how much to spend, or want help setting a realistic budget based on the type of wedding and your role, you may find our guide on how to budget for your mother of the bride or groom outfit helpful. It breaks down what most mothers spend and how to decide what feels right for you.