Mom's Complete Guide to the Wedding Reception

As May comes to a close, I want to invite all you mothers to take a quick peek at a recap of all we have covered in these past few weeks. If you're a soon to be mother of the wedding, you can check out these previous posts to revisit plenty of tips and tricks designed to help guide you through the rehearsal dinner and ceremony. Even though we've reached the last full week of the month, I want to also remind each of you that you are loved and appreciated each and every day of the year and that all sons and daughters will always need their mothers!

So, last but not least, to bookend our Mothers themed month, here is all you need to know for the reception if you're a mother of the wedding!

Mother-Son Dance Song Ideas

Once you've made it to the reception venue, your responsibilities don't simply end, but they do get a tad easier. From the moment the guests arrive, your biggest job is to just be mom. But, what does that mean?

• Take Your Place: It's customary for the mothers of the wedding to have a special seat at the table so that everyone can see you. So, find your spot for dinner, but don't get too comfortable. You should try to speak with guests as well and, in fact, this may help to take some of the pressure off the bride and groom who will be swamped with excited guests.
• Propose a Toast: Traditionally, the best man and maid of honor start the toasts, and once the bride and groom have responded, it's your turn to say a few words if you'd like.
• Pay Attention to the Bride and Groom: You can help the bride and groom mingle if some of their guests are commanding too much attention. 
• Crowd Control: No one can tame a rowdy group of groomsmen like a mother's firm hand, but you don't want to rain on the party either - be attentive and know when to step in if things start to get out of hand. 

  

  Mother-Daughter Dance Song Ideas

• Be Present for the Cutting of the Cake: Pretty self-explanatory; you just don't want to miss this special chance to be by your son or daughters side. 
• Have Fun!: That's right, don't forget what the reception really is - a celebration! Once dinner is over and everyone's kicking off their shoes to hop on the dance floor, don't hesitate to join them. No doubt you've been working closely with the bride and groom for months to make this day perfect, so enjoy yourself, and make sure you get your special dance with your son or daughter! 
• Stay After: Don't get too worn out on the dance floor because it's typically your job to stick around once the happy couple has left the building. Your final responsibility is to help clean up (unless you've hired someone or the venue includes this service).

Tell us what you think!

Photo Credit: weddingpartyapp; alotmorestyle

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

Mother's Rehearsal Dinner Responsibilities

Listen up, Mother's of the Groom, this blog post will be especially helpful for you! In this day and age more and more couples are starting to mix and match which traditions and customs to follow when it comes to planning the smaller events leading up to the big day, such as the rehearsal dinner and the bridal shower. It's important to remember that each couple is unique and that you should always consult the bride and groom before making any plans to ensure you coincide with their wishes. That being said, we're giving you a crash course on your responsibilities as the Mother of the Groom when it comes to the wedding rehearsal dinner.

Traditionally, the groom's parents are expected to host and pay for the rehearsal dinner. The dinner used to take place the night before the wedding, but now it is becoming more common for it to occur up to a few days beforehand (this allows the wedding party some time to straighten out any last minute details before saying "I Do.") If you've never done this before, you may be asking yourself "What is the purpose of the wedding rehearsal?" Basically, the rehearsal dinner is just that - a rehearsal for the big day. It typically involves meeting at the ceremony location so that the wedding party can walk through their basic responsibilities for the day of the wedding. The dinner usually follows after and can be as formal or as casual as you'd like (this is where it becomes important to communicate with the bride and groom). The dinner is a chance for both families to get together and socialize, especially if you have family members from out of town since it may be difficult to get everyone together again in the future.

Here are some timeline tips to keep in mind: We recommend that you book the venue as soon as possible, but generally somewhere within 3-6 months out should be fine. If you're planning something more casual, you may be able to wait even longer, but it's always safer to plan ahead. We also recommend that you send out invitations no later than 4 weeks out from the event, after the wedding invitations have been mailed.

What's most important is to remember not to get too caught up in the planning and organizing that you forget to enjoy the event. It's a time to learn and grow as a connected family and share in the laughter and love that will surround everyone in this happy time. So, eat and drink and spend time with the bride and groom and never forget why you're all together!

P.S. Brides and Grooms: The rehearsal dinner is a wonderful opportunity to hand out any small gifts you have for your wedding party and especially your mothers! We are in love with these adorable ideas that can get mom ready for your special day!

If you still need ideas, check out these links. They have great tips for rehearsal dinner etiquette.
Mother of the Groom Duties
Rehearsal Dinner Etiquette

Questions? We'd love to hear from you! Leave us a comment! 

Photo Credit: theknot; etsy; etsy; bridalguide; chelseapatriciablog

Happy Mother's Day: A Note for Mom

Happy Mother's Day! Today, we want to celebrate the women in our lives who prove day in and day out that they are our heroes. Mothers are strong, devoted, loving, and amazing women and we truly do not express our gratitude to you enough. As a special Thank You to all moms, we've decided to write a special note to you today.

Photo Credit: Bridal Musings

Perhaps your son or daughter is still quite young, or maybe you'll be attending their wedding this year. Either way, as a mother, we know that the thought of your children getting married is often in the back of your mind. For a mother, weddings can be an extremely emotional time. We understand that you may feel a sense of loss, that your child is in someway leaving you. We want to remind you that you are important. Your son or daughter's wedding is a time of letting go as well as holding on. While you may feel like you are losing a piece of you, you are actually gaining love as your family grows.Your child is sharing with another the love and affection they gained and learned from you.

Remember that you are part of the biggest journey of love that your children will take in their lifetime. Cherish and enjoy the little moments as you help with the planning, choosing flowers, and picking out The Gown, for those are the memories that will last long after the guests and cake are gone. We believe there are 3 major principles to abide by as you help you son or daughter take the next big step in their life: Respect, consideration, and honesty.

Respect your son or daughter's wishes and do all that you can to support them.
Be considerate of your future daughter/son-in-law and remember that your son or daughter loves their partner unconditionally, and that you should too.
Be Honest about how you are feeling. Tell your child if you don't feel included. Always remember that sons and daughters want their mothers to be right by their side throughout this new adventure and no matter how near or far you are, you'll always be their mom.

To all our mothers out there, we love and appreciate you! Thank you for always being there for us.

Now, grab some tissues and cuddle up with this amazing letter written by a mom to her future daughter-in-law! Enjoy your extra special day.