San Francisco Wedding Coordination Tips: Carolyn Wilson Weddings & Events

In our last post we brought you everything you need to know about Mother of the Bride duties. However, the MOB certainly isn’t the only special lady when it comes to wedding planning. The Mother of the Groom now takes on a new role in her son’s life as she becomes mother-in-law to his lovely bride. Mothers of the Groom, what is your role leading up to and on the big day? Our San Francisco wedding coordination team has you covered with everything you need to know about your tasks for your son’s wedding.

First, keep in mind that our guidelines are just that—guidelines. By no means are they hardline rules that every couple must follow. As a Mother of the Groom, the best thing you can do is communicate with the bride about her expectations and desires for the big day. It can be tough as the Mother of the Groom to take a back seat during the planning, but traditionally the bride and her mother will be taking the lead on most of the wedding vision. Put your soon-to-be daughter-in-law’s vision first, keeping in mind that this is her special day to wed your son—the love of her life! With that in mind, take a look at our list of traditional Mother of the Groom duties:

• Assist with the guest list: Soon after engagement, ask the bride if she has had a chance to set a guest list number. Respect her limit on guest count—especially if she and her parents are paying for the bulk of the occasion. Once she has given you a number, help your son draft a list of relatives and friends. Assist in collecting necessary contact information, and help the bride update the list as needed. As time goes on, you can also offer to assist in keeping track of RSVPs for the groom’s guests.

• Bridal showers: The bride may include you on guest lists for various bridal showers. If it all possible, clear your schedule to make time for these occasions. It will mean a lot to her that you made the effort to join in, and these events are a perfect opportunity to meet her friends and family prior to the big day.

• Your dress: Look to the MOB for attire. It is her duty to set the tone and contact you in regard to what she will be wearing. However, if she does not get in touch, you may reach out to her and ask if she has any ideas about her outfit yet. Be mindful of the bride’s taste, and ask if she has any parameters like preferred color or length.

• Mother/son dance: if the couple intends to incorporate parent dances into their reception, you can expect to dance with your son. In many cases, the bride also delegates song choice to the Mother of the Groom. Pick something classic, and consider brushing up on your dance skills with lessons. You’ll enjoy the extra time with your son—and you can even make it a group activity by inviting the bride and groom to take dance lessons with you and your date.

• Rehearsal dinner: By and large the most significant duty of the MOG, planning a rehearsal dinner is no easy feat. Start by asking the bride if she has any thoughts about the event, and tailor your planning to her vision. Then, secure a venue, draft a guest list, and select a menu. You will also need to create and send invitations for the rehearsal dinner, work with a florist for arrangements, and prepare for any toasts desired by the happy couple. If you feel overwhelmed by the thought of hosting such an affair, don’t hesitate to reach out to our San Francisco wedding coordination team. We’ve done it all, and we’d be happy to help you host an elegant affair before the big day.

Of course, the most-appreciated thing you can do is simply support the bride and groom. Wedding planning can feel overwhelming to a young couple. Your encouragement and helpful attitude will mean a lot to both of them in the long run. Our advice? Don’t get too caught up in the details; it is more important to build a relationship with your soon-to-be in-laws than it is to have your way on a tiny detail. Be your supportive, helpful self and the bride will surely be grateful for your presence.

Good luck and don’t hesitate to reach out if you find yourself in need of assistance! Our San Francisco wedding coordination team is at the ready, here at home and throughout California.

Congratulations on your daughter’s engagement! What an exciting time for the entire family. Chances are, as the Mother of the Bride (MOB) you’ll be with your daughter every step of the way during the wedding planning process. It will be a special time for the two of you to share, but sorting through all the details can be a little bit overwhelming. What exactly is expected of the Mother of the Bride? How can you help your daughter plan the dream wedding day?As a San Francisco Bay Area wedding planner, Carolyn Wilson Weddings and Events has gathered our top tips for MOBs:

• Share in her excitement about engagement (we’re sure you’ve managed this one already!). This is likely the most exhilarating occasion in her life thus far; having her mother by her side to share in the joy will mean so much to your daughter.

• Accompany your daughter on shopping excursions: in most cases, the MOB will assist her daughter with wedding dress shopping. Offer encouragement and support, along with your (discreet) opinion. Your daughter may also appreciate help for additional wedding accessories like veils, jewelry, or tasteful wedding night lingerie. Just remember to respect her tastes, even if they don’t match your own. Your daughter will be stunning on her wedding day as long as she is confident and happy!

• Gather contact information: this is one practical task that makes a huge difference for the bride. Help draw up preliminary lists of wedding guests, and gather all the contact information associated with each invitee. Your daughter may not have all the connections you do, and she will appreciate having an easily accessible and well-organized list from you.

• Find the right dress: as the MOB, etiquette dictates that you lead the way in selecting attire for parents of the happy couple. It is traditionally considered polite for you to set the tone for the Mother of the Groom’s outfit. Communicate with the Mother of the Groom to graciously let her know the color you’ve selected and the formality of your wedding day attire.

• Family heirlooms: this may not be a formal requirement, but we think that finding family heirlooms is a special touch Mothers of the Bride can add to their daughter’s day. Consider any meaningful jewels or trinkets you’re ready to pass on to your daughter. Offer them for her wedding day (they may be her “something old”), but don’t take offense if she opts out of wearing it on the big day. She will be tremendously touched by the gesture, even if your great grandmother’s brooch isn’t her wedding day style.

• Hire a planner: we may be biased, but trust us: this is the best gift you can give your daughter—and yourself. Avoid tension by letting the pros handle the tricky details, so you don’t have to worry about a thing. On the day of the ceremony, you’ll be so glad you get to enjoy your daughter’s love story instead of running around behind the scenes.

All that being said, every bride (and every MOB) is different. The best way to ensure smooth sailing during the wedding planning process is to simply ask your daughter what her expectations are and how you can help meet them. Don’t forget: it is her day, not yours. She will be so honored that you are a part of it, but we encourage you to let her shine in the spotlight for this special occasion.

The most important thing to remember at the end of the day is that you love your sweet daughter. Amidst any wedding stress, the best thing you can do for your beloved bride is to love her as you always have. She will be so appreciative in years to come that her mother was standing by her side on the most treasured day of her life.

Brides—what did your mothers do that stood out as being particularly helpful on your big day? We’d love to hear how she made it special. And MOBs—please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions about how you can best help your daughter celebrate her love story. As a San Francisco Bay Area wedding planner, we are here to help!