You have been working day and night trying to figure out how to plan a wedding for months now. How to find wedding caterers near you, deciding the differences between dj vs band, how to decorate a wedding, how to keep everyone happy, especially Mom. 

Your mom is incredible, but she’s driving you nuts lately to the point where you are fighting and crying like every week. You appreciate that she’s trying to put out so much effort into every detail but you can’t take it anymore.

At one time you two had a close relationship. But every time you get close to creating a bit of peace and harmony within, success keeps eluding you, something happens and you end up back where you started butting heads and miserable. 

Well, guess what?  Here’s a bit of a backstory for you, Love.

Once upon a time, not so long ago, a bride would have never considered planning a wedding without the sole advice and guidance of their mom a.k.a the mother of the bride.

But in today’s day and age, more modern couples are choosing premarital cohabitation “ahem”, living together, and decide to pay and plan for the wedding themselves or opt to hire a wedding planner to alleviate the stress associated with coordinating such an expensive and momentous occasion. Plus with the groom’s family possibly pitching in for the cost of the celebration, wedding planning is no longer solely in the mother of the bride’s duties, hmmm it’s no wonder that she might be feeling a bit…out of the loop. And expressed it to you possibly in not so many words that she is not happy! 

This might have left you wondering. What are the duties for the mother of the bride?

How do you make sure that your mother is still involved in wedding planning?

In her own special way of course! 

Try these 7 unique and fun tips that will make any mother of the bride feel important while making the planning process even more enjoyable for you, and help you overcome the overwhelm too… 

1. Share a little storytime.

Take some time to sit down with your mom and ask her to reminisce about her wedding day. Look at pictures, laugh about the crazy trends of the past (big hair, even bigger dresses, and shoulder pads, anyone?).

Bonus Tip: Ask her about the most memorable stories from planning to her big day and nuptials. From jaw-dropping bridesmaid drama to picking out her perfect gown, you’re sure to gain indispensable advice. You may even find some inspirational ideas for you to incorporate into your own wedding!

2. Plan a shopping spree.

We know how important it is to find your perfect wedding dress. But don’t forget, finding a stylish mother of the bride dress can be equally as important. 

Example: Instead of leaving mom alone to shop and figure out what style the mother of the bride dress, pant suit or gown should be, make a day of it! Brunch, mimosas, and a little one on one girl time with the person who had a hand in raising you. After all, she deserves a little pampering too, doesn’t she? 

Here are our top mother of the bride dresses that we are currently loving.

1. Alex Evenings Women’s Long Cowl Neck A-line Dress
2. Women’s V-Neck A-Line Lace Chiffon Mother of The Bride Dress Long Evening Gown with Pockets
3. R&M Richards Women’s Plus Size Long Beaded Gown
4. Women’s A-line Chiffon Lace Applique Mother of The Bride Dress Half Sleeve Formal Long Evening Gown
5. Adrianna Papell Women’s Floral Beaded Godet Gown

3. Use Mom’s zone of genius to create custom wedding favors.

If you have yet to decide on your “special something” and your Mom is particularly crafty, ask her to make you a commemorative memento to have on the big day. It will give her a useful project to occupy her time during the planning process, and you are sure to have a precious and meaningful gift that will always remind you of one of the happiest days of your life!

4. Add a dash of mom’s fabulous cuisine.

Could you imagine living without your mother’s famous food? If your mom is a wiz in the kitchen, why not show your wedding guests what they’re missing out on and serve a recipe or two of hers at your reception?! Your chef will be more than happy to make any additions or adaptations near and dear to your heart and will make sure your wedding reception has all the flair it deserves. And guests will surely be begging to know how she works her magic in the kitchen!

5. Share family heirlooms.

Ask your mom if there is a veil, garter or jewelry you may want to wear as your something old, something borrowed or blue, such as a grandmother’s veil or an aunt’s earrings. If mom’s wedding dress or a grandmother’s is available then you may want to consider wearing it or incorporating part of it into your wedding day.

6. Let your mom plan an engagement party.

It’s the parents of the bride who traditionally host an engagement party if the couple wants one. As the host, they are in charge of all the things; booking the venue and vendors, organizing the guest list, ordering the invitation and overseeing all the other details, including making a speech or a toast at the party, greeting guests, and footing the bills, it’s like a mini-wedding. If mom is feeling left out, let her scratch that planning itch and let her go to town by planning and coordinating a celebration all on her own.

7. Create a wedding decoration mom mood board.

You might think moms may not be up-to-date and oh-so-trendy but then again, there’s a reason why Mom jeans are being slayed by every super model who walks the runways at Fashion Week. Consider asking for her golden ideas based on all the design, fashion, and color trends she’s witnessed throughout the years, her ideas and suggestions may be just what you are looking for.

KCWO TIP: Share your Pinterest board, color schemes and paint a picture with a few florals to get her opinion. Mothers have a special knack for seeing your vision with a different set of eyes. You might be surprised to discover the woman who raised you knows you better than you know yourself.

How to Keep the Mother of the Bride Happy Conclusion

We promise these mother of the bride duties make it fairly simple to keep her laughing, loved and feeling back in the loop. Most importantly take a deep breath, and remember to keep calm so you can plan on, love!

Are you ready to enjoy this process with your mom?