Wedding Planning: Mother of the Bride/Mother of the Groom

by Heather Long | More from this Blogger

26 Sep 2006 04:30 AM

They say that your Mom is probably the second most important involved in the wedding. Wondering which mom is important? The answer to the question both Moms are important to the wedding. Bride and Groom benefit when their mothers are with them and involved in the wedding. Here are some outlines of the typical duties of the bride and groom's mothers.

MOTHER OF THE BRIDE

The primary responsibility of the Mother-of-the-Bride is to see that the bride's wishes are carried out for the wedding. She might serve as the coordinator with the wedding planner. She might just help organize the information or track down information for the bride.

• Help the bride select her wedding attire.
• Help the bride and groom decide on a wedding budget.
• Contacts Groom's Family if they have not initiated contact.
• See that the guest lists are put together.
• Reservations for out-of-town guests, invited by the bride's family.
• Coordinates color and style of wedding day outfit with mother of the groom in order to not clash.
• See that instructions for the actual ceremony are given. (Including any seating arrangements, receiving line or special instructions.)
• Mother-of-the Bride may play a role in the actual ceremony.
• May act as the hostess for the entire event.

MOTHER OF THE GROOM

The Mother of the Groom should initiate contact with the bride's family upon receiving word of the engagement. The first rule of etiquette indicates she should introduce herself and her husband as her first responsibility. This introduction can be done via phone call, letter or a dinner at a nice restaurant. The bridal couple does not need to be involved in these introductions. The point of the introduction is to open the channels of communication between the parental families and allow them to coordinate their efforts.

• Provides guest list for the groom's side of the family.
• Must match the mother of the bride's dress in complimentary form. (i.e. if she selects a long dress, the mother of the groom should wear long.)
• Reservations for out of town guests invited by the groom's family are the responsibility of the mother of the groom.
• Hosts the Rehearsal dinner.
• Schedules the family photographs with the groom and wedding photographer.
• At the beginning of the wedding, the groom's mother will be escorted to the first pew on the right hand (for traditional weddings) by a groomsmen or the groom.
• Note of Etiquette: Typically, the groom's father comes behind the mother to be seated with her. If they are divorced, he will be seated prior to the wedding beginning and two rows behind her.
• May participate in the ceremony.
• During the reception she will stand in the receiving line near the bride and her mother in order to introduce the bride and her family to the groom's family and friends.

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Learn more about Heather Long

Heather Long is 35 years old and currently lives in Wylie, Texas. She has been a freelance writer for six years. Her husband and she met while working together at America Online over ten years ago.

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