Your son’s wedding is on the fast approach and you, the mother-of-the-groom, couldn’t be happier. Seriously, you are downright jubilant. While you’ve already secured your spot as one of the VIP guests, you don’t want to overstep any boundaries and irk your soon-to-be daughter-in-law during the planning process (or on the big day). From acting like a bridesmaid to making empty offers, these are all the things amother-of-the-groom should skip doing.
Here are a few things a mother-of-the-groom shouldn’t do.
Don’t overshadow the bride’s mother
The bride is going to want to share a few special moments with her own mother during her wedding planning journey. If you hear that they’re going on a venue scouting mission or dress hunt, don’t automatically invite yourself. Wait for the blushing bride to ask you to come along. If she doesn’t, try not to get offended (I know, it’s hard), she probably just wants to have a bit of one-on-one time with her mom.
Don’t act (or dress) like a bridesmaid
Yes, you’re one of the wedding’s VIP guests, but it’s important to remember that you’re not part of the bridal squad. Unless you’ve received a formal invite, don’t show up to the bachelorette bash or a group planning event. This kind of goes without saying, but you should also skip sporting the same ensemble as the bride’s MOH. Opt for something in a different shade and silhouette to make it clear that you’re not a bridesmaid.
As mother-of-the-groom, it’s fine to offer up your opinion, but you don’t want to be a complete Judgemental Judy. If you and the bride-to-be have radically different tastes, you probably won’t love every linen and floral arrangement she picks out - and that’s fine! If you feel strongly about something you can always make a suggestion, but don’t get aggressive about it. Remember, you catch more flies with honey than you do with vinegar.
Don’t steal the bride’s spotlight with your mother-of-the-groom outfit
Yes, you’ll want to look like a million bucks on your baby’s wedding day, but don’t go overboard. Skip wearing white - or any colour even close to white - to save yourself from awkward glances and the wrath of future daughter-in-law. Don’t know what you should be sporting on the big day? It’s best to ask for pointers. If you’re already pals with the bride’s mother, ask her for a bit of help in the wardrobe department, she’s probably hunting for the perfect dress, too.
It’s the norm to give the bride’s family and the groom’s family a set number of guests to invite to the wedding. This can be tough, especially if the happy couple is opting for a more intimate gathering. Fight the urge to request more invites and try your best to pick the ones that matter most.
Don’t skip the pre-wedding events
There’s a good chance you’ll be on the guest list for most of the pre-wedding parties, and, as the mother-of-the-groom, your presence is kind of necessary. One you definitely shouldn’t miss? The bridal shower. This will give you a chance to bond with your future daughter-in-law (and her friends and family) before everyone gets caught up in the crazy world of wedding planning.
Don’t make promises you can’t keep
This rule applies in all aspects of life, but really take it to heart if you’re helping to plan a wedding. If you say you’re going to package up hundreds of wedding favours, don’t back out at the last second. The bride-to-be is depending on her nearest and dearest and you don’t want to let her down so close to her big day.
Don’t try to outdo the wedding with the rehearsal dinner
Typically, the parents of the groom (along with the parents of the bride) have a hand in planning the rehearsal dinner. If this is the case for you, don’t take it as an opportunity to throw an extravagant, over-the-top soiree. Yes, it should be a night to remember, but it shouldn’t be more magical than the wedding itself. Keeping things laidback and easygoing is the aim here.
Traditionally, the groom's mother will take care of the rehearsal dinner arrangements and help prepare the guest list for the groom's side of the family. Both tasks should be done with both the bride and the groom's input. Any other responsibilities can be negotiated among the families.
Traditionally, the groom's mother will take care of the rehearsal dinner arrangements and help prepare the guest list for the groom's side of the family. Both tasks should be done with both the bride and the groom's input. Any other responsibilities can be negotiated among the families.
The Best Colors for Mothers of the Groom to Consider
In general, jewel tones and earthy hues, like emerald green and burgundy, work well, in addition to universally flattering colors like black and navy. Valiente also adds, "Wear a flattering color that compliments the color palette of the wedding."
Ask how many guests you're able to invite, and then draw up a guest list for your side of the family. Be respectful of the guest limit. Keep track of your family's RSVPs and follow up with any late RSVPs. Make sure you also spread the word on the couple's wedding registry.
These items can include jewelry, watches, or a personalized handkerchief. Family heirlooms are warm tender gestures that symbolize the true delight that the mother of the groom feels about having her daughter-in-law marry into the clan.
A personalized photo album or picture frame is a timeless and sentimental gift your son and daughter-in-law will cherish for years to come. Fill the album with pictures of special moments and memories that they have shared together, or choose a beautiful picture frame to display a favorite wedding photo.
The groom's family traditionally paid for all costs associated with the rehearsal dinner and honeymoon, wedding day transportation, and the officiant. The groom paid for the bride's engagement ring, wedding ring, and groomsmen gifts. It is also common for the groom's family to pay for the alcohol at the reception.
It used to be that the role of the bridegroom's parents was restricted to hosting the rehearsal dinner and leading him down the aisle, but that is no longer the case. In a recent poll by wedding enthusiasts, the Groom's parents cover up to 24% of the wedding costs.
For starters, it is quite common for the groom's mom to be with the bride the morning of the wedding. "Most often times we see the mother of the groom getting ready with the mother of the bride in the bridal suite," says Manda Worthington, event planner, founder, and CEO of Mae&Co.
The mother of the groom should be involved in selecting music for the mother-son dance—it's her chance to take center stage with her son, after all, so she should have say in the tune chosen for the moment. She should work with the groom to find something that both suits your wedding and speaks to their relationship.
Plus, your future mother-in-law may want to use your hairstylist and makeup artist. If that's the case, she should definitely be invited to join you pre-ceremony, and you should talk with your vendors about scheduling her in.
Elegant evening gowns, lace midi dresses and chic jumpsuits are all fab options for moms. Use the couple's set wedding dress code as a guide to finding the color and formality of your fit. Formal weddings require an upscale dress or pantsuit, while the outfit can be more relaxed for a casual wedding.
Most of the weddings that I've attended, the groom's mother is be walked down the aisle by one of the groomsmen, followed by her husband. Generally, the mother of the groom.
"Most brides we work with these days will find unique ways to include the [mother of the groom] in different activities, like picking up brunch for the bridal suite or making sure they get hair and makeup done with everyone," Again, even if the mother of the groom is just coming by for a short time, she should offer to ...
Who Pays for the Mother-of-the-Bride and Groom's Beauty Team? As with most beauty questions, there is no hard-and-fast rule. Some brides may offer to cover hair and makeup services in order to thank the wedding party for being a part of their special day.
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Introduction: My name is Maia Crooks Jr, I am a homely, joyous, shiny, successful, hilarious, thoughtful, joyous person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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