3 Things Every Mom Should Know for the Ceremony

Good morning and happy Thursday! I hope the month of May is treating you all well, especially you, Moms! Just in case you need a little pick-me-up or enlightening read, here are the three things every mom should know as they prepare for their son or daughter's wedding ceremony.

1. What to Wear
In my experience, moms often get so wrapped up in helping their son or daughter prepare for their big day that they forget to think about themselves. In other cases, they put off finding the right dress because they don't like the way they look anymore. Well listen up, moms, you are beautiful and the wedding day is just as important for you as it is for the bride and groom. If you think you can just blend into the crowd and no one will notice, think again. While it's true that all eyes will be on the happy couple at first, the second place guests look is to their parents. So, here's a few tips to help you out.

• Don't wait until the last minute to go shopping! We have plenty of gorgeous gowns in stock, but if you need to order something, it can take a few months to come in, so don't wait! 
• Opt for better quality, not a cheaper dress. As I said before, you are important and you should look the part on your son or daughter's special day. Cheaper and lower quality fabrics may not be as flattering on your body, so keep that in mind if you're not as comfortable with your shape. 
• Talk to a consultant. We aren't just trained to help the bride-to-be find her dress, we can also be a big help when trying to select a flattering style gown for any occasion. 
• Consult the bride. You'll want to compliment her wedding colors without getting too close that you blend in with the bridesmaids. Neutral colors are often a safe choice if you're not sure, but a consultant can help you choose a color as well. 
• If you're the mother of the groom, allow the mother of the bride to select her gown first. The two of you should communicate so that your gowns compliment each other and also allow you to fit the theme and formality of the wedding. 

We love these classy dresses from Montage by Mon Cheri

2. What Time to Arrive:
If you're the mother of the groom, you should arrive at the church or ceremony venue with the groom, which should be about an hour and a half beforehand. You can help make sure that the groomsmen and their tuxedos are all in order. If you're the mother of the bride, you should arrive with the bride about an hour beforehand. That way you can help the bride get ready and be part of some extra special "getting ready photos!"

3. What to Do:
For the ceremony, Mother's of the bride traditionally are the first to walk down the aisle and take their seat in the first row on the left, marking the beginning of the processional. The role of the groom's mother depends on what the couple chooses. Typically, the mother of the groom is escorted to her seat by the groom before the processional. However, in some cases, the groom's parents walk down the aisle before the brides parents. It really depends on what the bride and groom envision, so communication is key. After the ceremony, it's common to host the receiving line immediately following the nuptials (Church hallways and vestibules often work best). The brides parents traditionally are placed at the head of the line, followed by the bride and groom and then the groom's parents.

Heads Up to the Bride and Groom: 
The ceremony can be the perfect opportunity for some extra special moments with mom. Make sure your photographer captures those tender exchanges as she helps you get ready. Another way to pay homage to your mothers is to take a moment, before you begin your vows, to present them with a kiss or a rose. The small gesture will be enough to really enhance the beauty of the ceremony and your mom will be more than grateful!

Want to share a special Mother of the Wedding story? We want to hear it! 

Photo Credit: brides.com; emmalinebride; weddingpartyapp