Traditionally the mother of the bride is the host of your wedding party – the reception. It is her job to make sure that everything goes according to plan. When planning your wedding check out what other jobs are ideal to assign to your lovely mum.
First things first…
Remember…
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DO Look after her – she is going to be working hard for you behind the scenes
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DO Give her a bouquet at the reception, during the speeches
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DO Encourage her to wear a complementary outfit to the colour scheme
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DO Invite her to be involved with choosing your wedding dress. It’s the most special bit for her
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DO Encourage her to meet up with your fiancé’s mum regularly so that they know each other before the day (and don’t wear clashing outfits)
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DON’T forget to thank her
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DON’T exclude her from anything
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DON’T forget her on the day – she’ll be longing to be useful
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DON’T leave her to do everything. By tradition, she would be the last to leave the reception, but don’t ask her to stay until the last drink is drunk
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DON’T forget to book her in with the wedding hairdresser and nail technician in the run-up to your big day
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DON’T let her interfere. It’s your day really…
Then the fun bits she can do…
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Announcing the engagement to the press, locally and nationally
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Working with the bride and groom to draw up the guest list
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Ordering the stationery and chasing it up
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Sending out the invites and keeping an eye on acceptances and regrets
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Supplying the wedding gift details to anyone who asks for them
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Helping to organise the seating plan
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Help you to choose your dress and the bridesmaids’ dresses
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Planning the flowers for the ceremony and reception
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Ordering the wedding cake
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Arranging table decorations
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Making sure all of the guests have got somewhere to stay that night
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Help you to get dressed and ready on the morning of the wedding
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Give the order of service sheets to the ushers
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Organising the buttonholes for key members of the wedding party, including the ushers, best man, bridegroom, and the two dads
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Look after the gifts during and after the wedding. This includes finding a safe place to store them during the day
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Collect the photo proofs from the photographer while you are on honeymoon
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Organise the wedding photo list – send out the right ones to the right people. You may want her to chase up your photos while you are away on your honeymoon, too. It’s great if the contact sheets are already waiting for you to look through when you get back home.
