How to Include Your Mother in Your Wedding
Honoring Mom on Your Wedding Day
TPA Photography
Flowers by Artisan Florals
While marriage is a commitment between two people, the impact of the wedding often extends far beyond the bride and groom. Weddings pull all your favorite people into the same place at the same time for one magical day. It’s a merging of families, an opportunity to create memories, and a proud day for parents as they watch their children experience this monumental milestone.
With Mother’s Day almost here, we’ve been thinking quite a bit about how we show appreciation to our mamas in the context of wedding planning. As wedding venue owners, we have seen countless weddings over the years and witnessed some truly thoughtful, creative, and heartfelt ways couples include their moms in their wedding days. Whether you are honoring your mother, stepmother, grandmother, or any other mother-figure, we’ve gathered a few ideas here that are sure to make her feel loved and appreciated.
1. Involve her in the planning process
One of the simplest ways to include Mom is to pull her into the planning stage. Whether it’s creating mood boards, taking venue tours together, picking flower types, or choosing color palettes, her wisdom and experience may just prove invaluable while also making her feel like an integral part of the journey.
2. Create a special role for her in the ceremony
Traditionally, the father of the bride walks her down the aisle. However, there is no rule against having Mom accompany you as well (or instead). Alternatively (or additionally), Mom could have a role in the ceremony by reciting a meaningful reading, lighting a unity candle, or even becoming an officiant to lead the ceremony herself.
Honorable mention - One of our favorite trends in recent years is the Granny or Auntie flower girls. This is such a sweet way to include the ladies in your life, and the guests are so moved by it every single time.
3. Get ready together
Invite her to the bridal suite, treat her with hair, makeup, and a corsage, make sure she feels pampered and beautiful too. Even though this may seem small, she will appreciate you wanting her there. Make sure to get a picture of her helping you zip or button your dress.
4. Let her provide your “something borrowed”
Ask her if she has a sentimental piece of jewelry or an heirloom brooch/pendant that you can attach to your bouquet. Perhaps she saved items from her own wedding that you can find ways to incorporate into yours. Ie. Extra lace from her dress used to wrap your flowers or add detail to your veil, use her cake knives, or even wear her wedding dress. She will be thrilled to see these keepsakes live on and feel honored that you want to incorporate them.
5. Take a first look photo together
If you don’t get ready together, consider setting up a first look to capture her reaction to seeing you in your wedding dress. The fact that you want to memorialize that moment will mean so much to her.
6. Share or recreate moments from her wedding
Look for inspiration in your parents old wedding photos. Have the DJ play your parents’ wedding song, put their favorite wedding photos on display, recreate your mom’s wedding bouquet and dedicate it to her, or have a seamstress alter your mom’s wedding dress to suit you and wear it as either your main dress, your rehearsal dress, or your party dress.
7. Give a toast/dedication
If you are giving a speech to express your appreciation to those who came, take a moment to thank your mom, and raise a glass to her. Go a step further and dedicate your bouquet to her (or have one made for her). Publicly expressing your gratitude for her will make her feel appreciated and create a memory you can both treasure forever. Make sure your photo/video team is aware of when this is happening.
8. Utilize her talents
If she’s creative, ask her to help you create a tablescape or DIY your centerpieces. If she’s got great handwriting, ask her to write the escort cards, table chart, or hand-make the signs for you. If she is organized, ask her to help you keep your plans, décor, and everything else organized. If she’s an incredible baker, ask her to bake an edible favor for you. Whatever her talents are, working together will create memories you’ll cherish forever.
9. Get her a gift
This could simply be a hand-written card or a corsage to match your wedding flowers. If you want to go a little bigger, you could gift her jewelry to match her dress or your jewelry. After the wedding, you could gift her a wedding album or a large print of a photo of the two of you.
10. Dedicate a dance
This could be a formal mother-daughter dance or a song specifically dedicated to her that will make her feel special while the dance floor is going. You could choreograph something fun together, or you could play her wedding song and spotlight your parents for a moment.
We once helped support a bride who wanted to surprise her mom with a slideshow of photos projected on the wall while they danced to a sentimental song. There was not a single dry eye in the house.
We love seeing the creative ways our couples choose to include their family members woven throughout their wedding days. These moments make for cherished memories and the sweetest photos. If you are getting married at Cold Spring Farm, we can’t wait to help you create these moments.
Thanks for stopping by our blog! We use this space to share wedding planning tips, wedding inspiration, and support small local businesses. In an effort to promote some of our fellow locally-owned wedding venues, we have listed a few below who also provide great resources to help engaged couples while they plan their weddings!