Wedding Times

In the past, once the bride announces her engagement, the mother of the bride gets hard to work planning every last detail. But this role has changed considerably today and most brides want to be a major part of wedding planning, if not plan the entire thing themselves! This may disappoint you but it doesn’t mean that you still can’t play a huge role in your daughter’s very special day. Today is the most important day of her life and she’s definitely going to need you there for support! Find out how you can fill your role as the modern mother of the bride!

Deciding if You Will Pay

Traditionally the bride’s parents pay for the wedding but that tradition is also being seen less and less in today’s weddings. Talk to your husband and daughter together to decide who will be paying and if you will be paying for all of it, a portion of it, or none of it!

Wedding Planning

Even though your daughter might have most of the say in the details of the wedding, this doesn’t mean that you can’t be there with her for all the fun of picking it out! She’ll definitely want your opinions and advice just be sure to only give them when you are asked and that you’re not pushing your dreams of a perfect wedding on her. The aspects of wedding planning she may need help with are: preparing the guest list; ordering the stationery; sending out invitations and collecting RSVPs; helping the bride pick out her gown and bridesmaids’ dresses; arranging the reception; coordinating flowers and photographers; creating the seating plan; and acting as hostess, to name just a few!

Although many of your ideas will be different than your daughter’s, remember that it’s her wedding and it should go how she wants it, even if you are paying for it!

Your Dress

Choosing your dress will be one of the most important things you do on this day. Feel free to go all out and fancy it up as much as you can! Once you’ve decided on what you’re wearing, it’s nice to let the mother-of-the-groom know so that she can coordinate her outfit with yours and make sure you won’t clash (or end up wearing the same thing!)

On the Wedding Day

On the day of the wedding, you will traditionally ride to the ceremony with the bridesmaids, where you will all get ready. You may choose to get ready at home or somewhere else of the bride’s preference but it’s important that you help the bridesmaids get ready and then of course, help your daughter prepare for her big walk down the aisle. Try and do this with just the two of you in the room, it’s some very nice mother and daughter bonding time!

When you arrive at the church, you will be the last to be escorted to your seat and after the ceremony you will witness the signing of the marriage certificate along with your husband, the groom’s parents, and the rest of the wedding party. If there is going to be a receiving line at your reception, you will also stand first in line for this and after the couple’s first dance at the reception, you will then dance with the groom’s father.

Most of all, your role as mother of the bride is to be as supportive as you can to your daughter and help her enjoy her day as much as possible!