Depending on what kind of wedding your son and his soon-to-be wife has decided on for their big day, you need to shop for plus-size mother of the groom dresses that goes along with the style of the wedding.

Plus-size mother of the groom dresses for an outdoor, beach wedding

If your son is getting married on a beach on the ocean, you should avoid formal gowns, or you will be extremely uncomfortable. Shorter dresses that hit just above or below your knee would be very appropriate for a beach wedding. However, keep in mind that if it's windy that day, you might end up showing more skin than you mean to. Long dresses made out of gauzy fabric are also perfect. Stay away from light colors, which are not very attractive on must plus-size women since the light color tends to accentuate your problem areas instead of minimizing them. Unless your daughter-in-law is wearing a gold dress, gold would be a great color for a plus-size mother of the groom dress at an outside wedding. Pair your dress with a pair of sandals and a light shoulder wrap to help keep you from burning in the sun.

Plus-size mother of the groom dresses for a casual, daytime wedding

If you are the mother of the groom at a more casual, daytime wedding, a dressy suit is a wonderful option. Stay away from suits that look like they belong on a person sitting behind a desk, but instead find one in a silk shantung fabric or brocade that is a solid color but has some pattern in the fabric. Look for rich color hues that coordinate with the bridesmaids dresses but aren't the same color. Even better, choose a suit that has a dress underneath so if you get too warm later in the day, you can remove it and still feel comfortable wearing the dress on the dance floor.

Plus-size mother of the groom dresses for a semi-formal evening wedding

If you are a the mother of a groom at a semi-formal evening wedding, you have a couple of options. First, if you're more comfortable in a shorter dress, you can wear a flirty dress that cuts right below your knee. Wear a darker color, like navy or chocolate, and lighter material for this kind of dress. Make sure to draw attention to your best features and away from your problem areas. Of course, if you prefer a long dress, a great style is a two piece dress with a long, a-line skirt and a silky top or jacket. Heavier fabric works best in this style.

Plus-size mother of the groom dresses for a black-tie wedding

A black-tie wedding is the one time that it is appropriate for a mother of the groom to wear a black gown. If you're afraid of angering your daughter-in-law by wearing a black dress, then wear a different dark color in a rich hue. For a black-tie wedding, it is essential to wear a formal evening gown. Look for heavier fabrics, including silk and velvet, which will drape well over your curves without making you look heavier than you are. Embellishments like beading or rhinestones on the dress are also appropriate for plus-size mother of the groom dresses. A matching wrap in silk or velvet work very well to help hide your upper arms.