The Importance Of The Mother Of The Bride

A mother’s role is very important when it comes to organising a wedding. Here are some of the tasks a mum needs to know about and can assist with.

Attend Wedding-Dress Shopping Appointments
Traditionally, mothers accompany their daughters in their search for a wedding dress, and they're there to share in the joy of finding the right gown. Mum is definitely one of the most helpful people to have look at different styles with you, and, chances are, she'll be the one with the most honest feedback

Assist With Venue Selection
Though where you tie the knot is a personal choice (and one you should make with your future spouse), this wedding-planning decision is often collaborative: What type of venue makes sense for your family at large? How far is too far if you're hoping to pull off a destination celebration that most of your loved ones can attend? Mum likely has the answers—or, at the very least, some constructive input—to these questions, which is why mothers are typically part of the venue selection process. Whether you need help narrowing down a destination or a second set of eyes as you tour top contenders, she's someone you can (and should) turn to.

Help Manage The Bridesmaids
We hope you won't need anyone to step in and run interference if bridesmaid mischief arises, but if you do, your mum can volunteer as tribute. While most disagreements should be resolved solely among the involved parties—we're all adults here!—perhaps Mum can offer to take the less-direct bullets. Is there a last-minute issue with a bridesmaid's dress? Ask Mum to help handle it.  Are bridal shower plans going awry?  Your mother can and should step in to ensure any issues are resolved and make sure your preferences on things like themes and games are communicated.

Research Ceremony Traditions and Find Family Heirlooms
It typically falls on your mum to uncover religious or cultural traditions you—or your partner's family—might want to incorporate into your ceremony.  She can also help you find the something old or something borrowed, such as a stunning piece of jewellery that's been in your family for generations

Help With the Guest List
If your budget or venue simply doesn't have the room, your mum is a great resource to help you trim down your list.  She may also offer to have RSVPs routed her way, which she can then catalogue on an online spreadsheet shared between the two of you.

Track Down RSVPS
Consider this mother-of-the-bride responsibility an extension of guest list creation. Inevitably, there will be several RSVPs you'll need some help hunting down.  This is a task you can assign to your mum, if she's willing to take it on.  She's the right woman for the job: Chances are, she knows a fair amount of the folks she'll need to contact, which is why it's better handed to her than someone further removed from the family (like a best friend maid of honour, for example).

Act as a Point Person for Suppliers
Your mum should be the one whose name you give to the caterers, florist, planners, entertainers, and venue as your backup to field questions and assist in coordinating.  "Set your mum up for success with a list of creative contacts and a message book solely for your wedding day," suggests Cowie. She'll most likely be the designated point of communication between you, the bride, your father, and your partner's parents on all things wedding-planning relate

Provide a Second Set of Eyes
Whether you need someone to look over the fine print of vendor contracts, affirm your venue choice, or watch over a hundred other minor details to notice and fix problems before you've even become aware of them, Mum is there to help.  She's the person you can—and should—call for a gut-check, and she should be prepared to offer her (constructive) opinions and advice when needed.

Find a Mother-of-the-Bride Dress You Love
It's a bride's mother's responsibility to look and feel her best on her daughter's big day—after all, it's one of the most significant days in her life, too.  That involves finding a mother-of-the-bride dress that both suits her personality and her daughter's overarching vision.  It's also a good idea to coordinate

Play Hostess on the Big Day
Whether she's handling your bridal shower, greeting out-of-town guests once they arrive at your welcome party, and making the rounds at your reception, the mother of the bride is the unofficial hostess and should always focus on helping each attendee feel welcome. That applies to the wedding day, as well:  While receiving lines are not as customary these days, it's still important to greet or visit with as many guests as possible, explains Valentine.

Assist With Day-of Dressing
Helping the bride into her dress and placing the veil is, and will always remain, such a sweet, time-honoured tradition.  It's a traditional mother-of-the-bride responsibility that shouldn't be skipped—you'll both cherish this moment for the rest of your lives