Mum’s the word: A style memo for the mothers of the bride and the groom

There’s a quiet intimacy to watching your child get married. Amid the sparkle and the ceremony, the dance and the drama, there are flashes of memory only a mother holds: the first school drop-off, the heartbreaks that felt like endgames, the days your child imagined this very moment in whispers and wishlists. And then suddenly, here it is. She’s dressed in ivory. He’s tying the saafa. You’re watching them become someone’s life partner, and all eyes are on them. But that doesn’t mean you’ve faded into the wings.

For mothers of the bride and groom, the wedding isn’t a cameo. It’s a culmination. A deeply personal, emotionally rich milestone that deserves to be honoured with just as much grace and intention. And while the bride’s lehenga and the groom’s sherwani may command the spotlight, your own ensemble should hold its own—in sentiment, in silhouette, in the story it tells.

This is where Krésha Bajaj steps in, not as a label offering just another wedding outfit, but as a design house rooted in the art of memory-making. “You’re not just attending the wedding. You’re a part of its story,” says Bajaj. “Your outfit should reflect that—refined, comfortable, and deeply personal.”

Let’s decode what that means, and how today’s mothers are dressing up for their children’s weddings.

Build around the couple

Let’s set the record straight: you’re not playing a supporting role. But you’re also not here to compete. One of the most graceful ways to build your look? Use the couple’s palette as an anchor—not as a map to follow, but to thoughtfully coordinate. If they’ve chosen ivory, perhaps you echo it with a warm champagne. If they’re leaning into florals, maybe your outfit carries an abstract design or tonal embellishments. The designer’s advice? “Don’t match—complement.”

The best style comes with sentiment

There’s a temptation—especially in the high-stakes atmosphere of a wedding—to overstyle. To coordinate every shade, silhouette and shimmer. But the most successful mother-of-the-bride (or groom) ensembles are those built on emotion, not aesthetic alone. Dress for how you feel: radiant, grounded, nostalgic. Let your palette express your inner state. If that means a romantic blush with a deeper berry accent, go for it. If it means sage tones that bring clarity and calm, that’s just as powerful. Trust the instinct you’ve always had when it comes to style: one that’s rooted in intuition, not imitation.

Dress with intention

At Krésha Bajaj, every ensemble is envisioned as a modern heirloom. Think saris that tell a story, but are not weighed down by it. Jackets that bring structure without stealing the show. Blouses embroidered to reflect lineage and sentiment—lotus vines, family initials, ancestral symbols. These pieces are memory-keepers. These aren’t clothes for the wedding day alone, they’re garments that hold meaning, made to be passed on, talked about, and remembered beyond the big day.

Comfort, too, is non-negotiable. You’ll likely be on your feet for most of the day—going between handling guests, calming chaos, dodging unsolicited advice—and your look needs to move with you. A softly draped sari that doesn’t demand constant readjusting. A longline jacket paired with an embroidered lehenga brings elegance without effort. Or a fluid kurta worn with wide-legged pants and an organza overlay that sways with every step. These are silhouettes that breathe. They allow you to be present—not preoccupied by pleats or pins. As Bajaj puts it, “This is a long day, and your look should move with you, not against you.”

Think about the extras

When it comes to jewellery, the most striking looks often come from restraint. Not everything needs to sparkle. Not every piece needs to match. In fact, a single necklace with emotional resonance—maybe something passed down, or something newly made in honour of the moment. Earrings that don’t just match the blouse, but frame the face. A ring that holds memory. Less, here, is more. “Understatement worn with confidence always reads as luxury,” weighs in Bajaj.

And let’s talk about footwear. While stilettos may be tempting for the first look in the mirror, they rarely stand up to the reality of Indian weddings. If heels aren’t your thing—and let’s face it, for most of us, they’re not—a finely embroidered pair of juttis or block heels with an artisanal finish can be just the thing. After all, we don’t want to be spotted crying out of pain, do we?

PSA: Don’t forget it’s your moment too

Finally, don’t let this day pass you by. Too often, mothers find themselves in the margins of the wedding album. Always adjusting someone’s dupatta, smiling in the background, clapping from the sidelines. But this is your moment too. “I always tell moms: ask for a portrait in your full look,” Bajaj says. “You’ll want to remember how you felt, not just how you looked.” Because at the end of it all, what you wear on your child’s wedding day is about reflecting and preserving the decades of love and labour that led to this very moment.