Should the Mother of the Groom Carry a Purse? Practical Tips for Weddings

Wedding prep is chaos, especially if you’re the groom’s mom. One question always pops up—should you carry a purse? You’ve got lipstick, your phone, maybe a few tissues (happy tears hit hard), and probably a teeny bit of anxiety. Toss in the fact you’ll be wrangling a flower corsage or even a bouquet, and suddenly a simple purse isn’t so simple anymore.

No one tells you there’s no hard rule here. Some moms go purse-free and trust their essentials to a friend or family member. Others swear by having their stuff on hand because, let’s face it, someone always needs a safety pin or a mint at the worst moment. You need something that works for your day—no awkward juggling or weird bulges in pockets ruining your photos.

• Why the Purse Debate Matters
• What Moms Really Need to Carry
• Pairing Purses with Flowers and Outfits
• Smart Alternatives and Real Wedding Stories

Why the Purse Debate Matters

This whole mother of the groom purse thing? It's not as silly as it sounds. A lot rides on what you carry (and how). Imagine shuffling to your son’s big moment, clutching a corsage in one hand, a purse in the other, and maybe even a gift envelope stuffed somewhere. Add juggling hugs, photos, and powdering your nose—logistics matter. Most wedding planners say that clutter is the enemy of good photos and natural moments. A big, clunky bag or purse can mess up your look, get in the way during family group shots, or become another “where did I put it?” stress point.

But it’s not just about style. Some moms feel lost without their usual essentials. Phones, tissues, lipstick, or allergy meds can all mean the difference between a smooth day and a minor meltdown. My friend Jamie once left her purse with a relative at her son’s wedding, only to find out she needed her inhaler halfway through. It turned into a frantic hunt. So, having your stuff close? Sometimes it’s about safety and comfort, not just convenience.

If you check out wedding forums or ask real brides and planners, you'll find a split. Around 60% of mothers of the groom say they carried something small—usually a clutch or tiny crossbody—while about 40% went purse-less or shared with someone else. Here’s a quick summary:

So why does the debate still matter? Well, weddings move fast. If you’re thinking about practical tips, just know that decisions about your purse, your wedding flowers, or even how you walk down the aisle, affect your day more than most people realize. Making a plan now means less stress later. Nobody wants to deal with regrets, lost lipstick, or missing reading glasses during the cake cutting.

What Moms Really Need to Carry

Let’s get real—most weddings aren’t short. You’re out there for hours, snapping photos, chatting, sitting through ceremonies, and then comes the food and dancing. That means the mother of the groom will want to keep a few key things close by. No need to bring half your bathroom drawer or stuff the purse so full it won’t close. You just need what you’ll actually use.

Here’s a practical list of what most mothers say they absolutely need at weddings:

• Lipstick or lip balm—for touch-ups after hugs and snack breaks.
• Travel tissues—because wedding days are emotional and nobody wants mascara streaks in the photos.
• Small mirror—so you can fix your hair or lipstick without using the bathroom line.
• Mini deodorant or blotting papers—swapping hugs under hot lights isn’t always glamorous.
• Phone—you’ll want quick photos or to coordinate with family members and vendors.
• Reading glasses (if you need them)—menus and speeches can have tiny print.
• Credit card/cash—just in case you need to tip or pick up something last minute.
• Bobby pins and safety pins—wardrobe malfunctions love to strike at inconvenient times.
• Mints or breath spray—no one tells you how much talking you’ll do.

It sounds like a lot, but most of these fit in a small clutch or a compact crossbody. Now, if you’ve got a wedding flower corsage or bouquet, here’s where things get tricky—you only have two hands!

About 68% of mothers at weddings trade purses with a bridesmaid or trusted guest during the ceremony, according to data from The Knot’s 2023 wedding survey:

If you plan ahead, picking a small purse won’t get in the way of your wedding flowers or all those family photos. Remember, less is usually more—especially when you’re getting hugs from every direction or dancing with the newlyweds.

Pairing Purses with Flowers and Outfits

If you’re the mother of the groom, you already know the pressure to look great is real. Now, throw a purse and wedding flowers into the mix, and there’s a lot to think about. But matching your accessories doesn’t have to be stressful. Here’s what actually works in the real world.

First things first—try to keep your purse on the small side. You want something that fits your essentials but doesn’t take the spotlight away from your flowers or your outfit. Neutral tones like beige, blush, or metallics tend to go with anything, instead of bright patterns or chunky hardware. Clutch bags and slim wristlets are mom favorites because they’re easy to hold and look good in photos.

How about your wedding flowers? If you’re wearing a corsage or holding a mini-bouquet, your purse shouldn’t clash. The safest bet is to match the purse to your dress instead of the flowers—floral designs change, and you might not know your final arrangement until the big day. However, if you’re feeling bold, a bag with a subtle flower accent or simple embroidery looks stylish and coordinates well with the wedding theme.

• Pick a purse shade that’s close to your dress color or nice and neutral.
• Avoid bags with big prints if your dress has strong patterns or lots of sparkle.
• If your flowers are extra bright, let them be the star; keep your purse simple.
• Check the size—too big, and it’ll overwhelm your look in group photos.

Plenty of moms worry about juggling both a purse and wedding flowers at once. A smart trick? Ask the florist if your corsage can be pinned to your purse. That way both accessories work together instead of fighting for attention. Just make sure the bag material is sturdy enough to hold the pin without sagging or leaving marks.

Here’s a quick comparison of popular purse types at actual weddings last year:

Remember, you don’t have to match exactly—coordinating is enough. The goal is looking pulled together but still feeling like yourself. If you’re ever in doubt, snap a quick photo trying everything on at home. That’s what I did, and it helped stop me from second-guessing my choices on the day. Even Luna, my cat, seemed to approve.

Smart Alternatives and Real Wedding Stories

If you’re worried about juggling a purse and wedding flowers, you’re not alone. Plenty of mother of the groom veterans have ditched the traditional handbag for something smarter. Let’s look at options that make life easier, plus moments from real weddings where switching it up saved the day.

First, consider swapping out a purse for a wristlet or clutch with a loop. These are compact but hold the important stuff—think phone, tissues, lipstick, and some safety pins. Some women even pin their clutch strap around their wrist so their hands stay free for those must-have hugs or a bouquet. Crossbody bags in soft fabrics are also making an appearance at weddings for their low-key look and hands-free convenience, especially during receptions when you’re moving around a lot. And if you’re set on keeping things super simple, tuck essentials in a thin pocket on the inside of your jacket or in a sewn-in dress pouch. No purse bulge, no stress.

Why not get the best of both worlds? Some moms swap back and forth. One bride’s mother I know left her clutch at the reception table for formal shots, then grabbed it while mingling and dancing. Another mom had her best friend keep a "mom kit" purse nearby—no need to haul it herself, but everything was close at hand. In a pinch, wedding planners or trusted family members can act as your on-call purse holder so you’re not stuck shuffling bags and blooms in every photo.

At my own brother’s wedding last summer, my mom had her essentials in a pearl-embellished wristlet. It matched her outfit and doubled as a stylish accessory. She forgot about it during photos since my aunt stashed it for her, but she was relieved to have her lipstick and mints on hand right after. Stuff like that seems small but makes a difference! I’ve even read about attendants making little 'emergency baskets' at the reception table with everything the moms could possibly need, so purses take a backseat for the rest of the day.

If you’re a numbers person, check this out: According to a 2023 survey from WeddingWire, nearly 65% of mothers of the groom still carry a purse, but over half of those switch to a smaller bag or drop the purse altogether after the ceremony. It really boils down to what you’re comfortable with and the vibe of the day.

• Use a wristlet, clutch, or crossbody for small essentials.
• Plan a handoff for photos and formal moments—ask a friend or planner.
• Create or share an "emergency kit" at your table so you don’t stress about a purse.
• Consider outfit add-ons like sewn-in pockets for ultra-minimal carry.

Skipping or switching your purse is all about what feels right for you as a mother of the groom. Think about your comfort, how involved you’ll be, and, of course, how much you want to carry while showing off those pretty wedding flowers.