Moms are the best, aren’t they – especially when it comes to making their kids happy (and no matter how old you are, you’re still their baby #momsmaketherules, sorry). It’s true, when you get engaged and start the planning process, the day that lies ahead is yours; however, it’s also a huge day for your parents and an occasion that’s been on the radar for as long as you’ve been in a relationship with your fiancé/fiancée. Whether you’re the first in your family to walk down the aisle or the last to take your vows, if you have a wedding on the horizon, it’s every bit as exciting and daunting, exhilarating and exhausting to mom (and dad, of course, but today we’re talking about her) as it is to you.
She probably started reading up on her role as soon as that ring was slipped on your finger, but just in case she needs a refresher on the responsibilities that typically fall in her court, we’ve outlined everything below. Again, since it’s 2021, rules and etiquette aren’t the end-all-be-all that they were decades ago – but it’s still nice to have a ‘how-to MOB like a boss’ go-to guide to get started. So, if your mama just got promoted from mother to mother of the bride, maybe just leave this up on your computer for some serendipitous snooping on her part. She knows what to do and will be there for you 100p (with a shoulder to cry on, annoying albeit par for the course motherly advice to keep getting your sleep, and special gifts to make you feel like the prettiest bride there ever was), but she’ll still want to rise to this very important occasion – and we know exactly what she’ll shine with.
Read on for 4 things every mother of the bride can do to show her support leading up to the special day.
We’re not saying that wedding planning is an entirely new process in 2021, but it’s likely a lot different than it was when your mother was planning for her own day way back when. Add to this the fact that a global pandemic wasn’t part of the big picture, either. So, for mothers of the bride who want to be the best partners in crime for their soon-to-wed daughters, staying up to date with wedding trends, tips, and to-dos and tackling some of the hardest touch points of your planning timeline is tremendously helpful.
Historically speaking, the bride’s parents would pay for her wedding dress/gown, but these days, that’s not always the case (doesn’t have to be – sometimes the bride wants to cover the costs on her own!). Still, most mothers of the bride will book bridal appointments and accompany their daughters on at least the first day of dress shopping. And when it comes to sussing out styles and pros-and-conning certain silhouettes that fit you best, she’ll be an incredible and honest sounding board + the best person to calm you down if the experience gets overwhelming or uniquely pressure-some.
For as long as we can remember, the bridal shower has long been on the list of lots of mothers of the bride. It’s not mandatory, of course, but it’s a privilege that mothers love to take on in their daughters’ honor. So, that involves scouting out venues (or choosing to host at home), settling on a guest list, planning out a menu, organizing the run of show for the day, figuring out favors, brainstorming games/activities, all of it, really.
There is nothing we love more than the photos of a bride and her mom on the morning of her wedding – ones that illustrate a powerful bond and friendship (that was started well before a wedding was even a thought). For mothers of the bride, this is the time to bring your daughters their favorite caffeinated cup to relax and sip once they’ve made it to their bridal suite. It’s also a wonderful time to bring a few secret or unexpected things to add to their ‘something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue’ inspiration. Maybe it’s a gorgeous piece of jewelry or a family heirloom that truly levels up your aisle style when you need it most.