9 Wedding Traditions that Honor Mom
Wedding Traditions that Make Mom Feel Special
While you have all your hopes and dreams wrapped up into your wedding day, remember that your mom does too. As my mom recently told me, "Seeing your child walk down the aisle is like knowing they are walking down the path God planned. It's watching them fulfill their dreams, which is all you want for your them."
There are many simple and elaborate ways that you can honor your mom during your wedding to thank her for the guidance, support and love that she has offered your entire life -- and throughout the wedding planning process.
From pre-wedding shopping trips and pedicures to participating in the unity ceremony to dancing together at the reception, these 10 time-honored traditions are cherished ways to show mom how much she means to you.
Plan a Mother-Daughter Shopping Trip
There is something magical that happens when a mother sees her daughter in a wedding dress for the first time. Share this special moment together by scheduling a shopping day. Your mom likely has her own ideas of what you should wear, and although it might be worlds apart from what you want, hear her out. If this is your first time looking at dresses, then you should try on a variety of styles anyway.
While you are out, make sure mom tries on a few dresses, too, so that she gets an idea of what colors you are looking at and which silhouettes fit her best. If shopping with your mom isn't an option, then plan a mother-daughter spa day just before the wedding. You can treat mom to a new hair color, a soothing facial massage or a French manicure.
Many grooms also bring their moms along when it is time to choose their wedding tux. After getting her fashion advice, take mom out on a lunch date so that she has some alone time with you before the wedding.
Celebrate One Tradition from Mom's Wedding Day
Wearing your mother's wedding dress might not sound appealing, but you can easily incorporate a tradition that she celebrated on her wedding day. Flip through her wedding album to find something that stands out. You can recreate one of her wedding poses with your photographer, duplicate her bridal bouquet, wear the same piece of jewelry or march down the aisle to the same song.
Chances are, mom probably saved something special to pass on to you.
Whether it is an heirloom brooch, a handkerchief or her veil, find a special way to weave it into your marriage ceremony. With mom's blessing, of course, you could wrap your bouquet stems with fabric from her wedding dress or make your garter from her veil.
Anything you choose is perfect for your Something Borrowed tradition!
Get Dressed Together
You will need help latching your bustier, zipping up your dress, slipping on your garter, attaching your veil and stepping into your bridal shoes -- and mom is the perfect person to be by your side, just as she has always been. Invite mom to get dressed and sip champagne with you and your bridesmaids.
Brides and grooms should both set aside a few minutes to have some alone time with mom just before the ceremony begins.
She will forever cherish this last moment to hold her "baby."
Give Mom a Heartfelt Gift
There are so many beautiful gifts you can choose from to show mom how much she means to you. From a poem-inscribed picture frame to a pearl bracelet to a porcelain statue of a mother and child, the ideas are endless. Browse my Wedding Traditions: Gifts for Mom Pinterest board for inspiration.
You can also make mom an extra special corsage by including her favorite flowers or adding one of the blossoms she carried on her own wedding day.
Present your heartfelt gift with a handwritten letter. When writing your letter, be yourself and be specific. Share two or three of your most treasured memories with your mom. Let her know what big lessons you have learned from her, what you most admire about her and what you hope will never change between the two of you. Finally, sincerely thank her for all she has taught you about life and love.
Give mom her gift as you are getting dressed or just before the ceremony begins, or avoid streaking your flawless makeup by doing it at your bridal shower.
Honor Mom During the Processional
Moms walking their daughters down the aisle is more common than you might think. The Catholic Rite of Marriage #20 notes that both the bride and groom can be escorted by their parents while Jewish brides traditionally approach the altar sandwiched in between her parents. Having your mom give you away is a particularly special way to honor her if she shouldered the heaviest load in raising you.
Since my dad had passed away before my wedding, and my stepdad had been in my life since I was 11 years old, I asked him to walk me partway down the aisle to where my mom sat waiting.
He passed my hand off to hers, and she escorted me the rest of the way down the aisle. This was such a special moment between us.
There are other ways to honor mom during the processional if you aren't comfortable with having her walk with you. When I reached the end of the aisle, I presented my mom with a loose rose from my bouquet that had an angel brooch attached to it. You can also tuck an embroidered handkerchief into her hand that she can use to catch her tears of joy as she watches you get married.
Make sure mom also has the seat of honor during your wedding ceremony. Whether she walks with you or is escorted by her husband or son, she is traditionally the last person to be seated before the ceremony begins and should be positioned in the front row's first position. You should also the officiant to invite your mom to the altar when they ask, "Who gives this bride away?"
Invite Mom to Participate in the Wedding Ceremony
Both the bride and groom's mothers can participate in almost any unity ceremony. They can light the individual candles that provide the flames for your marriage candle, place a prayer shawl around your shoulders, scoop in a shovelful of soil to nurture your marriage tree or write a letter for your wedding box. Moms can also offer a reading or prayer during the marriage ceremony.
Dance with Mom at the Wedding Reception
It is a nearly universal tradition for the groom to dance with his mother after the bride dances with her father. Choose a meaningful song that expresses how you feel about her, or ask your mom to select the song she would like to play -- she probably has a few ideas already! Many brides now plan a special dance with their moms as well. You can pick a sentimental song, a line dance or a tune that you can really boogie to.
Traditionally, wedding invitations list the parent's names of the bride and groom. Since blended families have complicated the wording, many couples now opt for alternative announcements. You can still publicly recognize your mom by mentioning her in the wedding program, offering a toast at the wedding rehearsal or giving her a shout out at the reception. In many Asian weddings, brides honor their moms by brewing up a wedding tea ceremony that is lovingly served in front of the guests.
You also have a special opportunity at your bridal shower to thank your mom and recognize her marriage. Tell her what you most admire about her relationship and the one lesson you have learned that you will use in your own marriage.
Mom will want a brag book of the wedding as soon as possible. Once you get your picture, put together a small album and give mom a framed photo or canvas print. There are so many options when it comes to picking the perfect wedding picture that she will cherish for a lifetime. Look for an emotional picture of the two of you together, a sweet photo of you and your spouse or a multigenerational family snapshot.
For a sentimental surprise, have your photographer recreate a pose from your mom's wedding day and then frame the two pictures side by side or have it printed on an oversized canvas.
While you have all your hopes and dreams wrapped up into your wedding day, remember that your mom does too. As my mom recently told me, "Seeing your child walk down the aisle is like knowing they are walking down the path God planned. It's watching them fulfill their dreams, which is all you want for your them."
There are many simple and elaborate ways that you can honor your mom during your wedding to thank her for the guidance, support and love that she has offered your entire life -- and throughout the wedding planning process.
From pre-wedding shopping trips and pedicures to participating in the unity ceremony to dancing together at the reception, these 10 time-honored traditions are cherished ways to show mom how much she means to you.
Plan a Mother-Daughter Shopping Trip
There is something magical that happens when a mother sees her daughter in a wedding dress for the first time. Share this special moment together by scheduling a shopping day. Your mom likely has her own ideas of what you should wear, and although it might be worlds apart from what you want, hear her out. If this is your first time looking at dresses, then you should try on a variety of styles anyway.
While you are out, make sure mom tries on a few dresses, too, so that she gets an idea of what colors you are looking at and which silhouettes fit her best. If shopping with your mom isn't an option, then plan a mother-daughter spa day just before the wedding. You can treat mom to a new hair color, a soothing facial massage or a French manicure.
Many grooms also bring their moms along when it is time to choose their wedding tux. After getting her fashion advice, take mom out on a lunch date so that she has some alone time with you before the wedding.
Celebrate One Tradition from Mom's Wedding Day
Wearing your mother's wedding dress might not sound appealing, but you can easily incorporate a tradition that she celebrated on her wedding day. Flip through her wedding album to find something that stands out. You can recreate one of her wedding poses with your photographer, duplicate her bridal bouquet, wear the same piece of jewelry or march down the aisle to the same song.
Chances are, mom probably saved something special to pass on to you.
Whether it is an heirloom brooch, a handkerchief or her veil, find a special way to weave it into your marriage ceremony. With mom's blessing, of course, you could wrap your bouquet stems with fabric from her wedding dress or make your garter from her veil.
Anything you choose is perfect for your Something Borrowed tradition!
Get Dressed Together
You will need help latching your bustier, zipping up your dress, slipping on your garter, attaching your veil and stepping into your bridal shoes -- and mom is the perfect person to be by your side, just as she has always been. Invite mom to get dressed and sip champagne with you and your bridesmaids.
Brides and grooms should both set aside a few minutes to have some alone time with mom just before the ceremony begins.
She will forever cherish this last moment to hold her "baby."
Give Mom a Heartfelt Gift
There are so many beautiful gifts you can choose from to show mom how much she means to you. From a poem-inscribed picture frame to a pearl bracelet to a porcelain statue of a mother and child, the ideas are endless. Browse my Wedding Traditions: Gifts for Mom Pinterest board for inspiration.
You can also make mom an extra special corsage by including her favorite flowers or adding one of the blossoms she carried on her own wedding day.
Present your heartfelt gift with a handwritten letter. When writing your letter, be yourself and be specific. Share two or three of your most treasured memories with your mom. Let her know what big lessons you have learned from her, what you most admire about her and what you hope will never change between the two of you. Finally, sincerely thank her for all she has taught you about life and love.
Give mom her gift as you are getting dressed or just before the ceremony begins, or avoid streaking your flawless makeup by doing it at your bridal shower.
Honor Mom During the Processional
Moms walking their daughters down the aisle is more common than you might think. The Catholic Rite of Marriage #20 notes that both the bride and groom can be escorted by their parents while Jewish brides traditionally approach the altar sandwiched in between her parents. Having your mom give you away is a particularly special way to honor her if she shouldered the heaviest load in raising you.
Since my dad had passed away before my wedding, and my stepdad had been in my life since I was 11 years old, I asked him to walk me partway down the aisle to where my mom sat waiting.
He passed my hand off to hers, and she escorted me the rest of the way down the aisle. This was such a special moment between us.
There are other ways to honor mom during the processional if you aren't comfortable with having her walk with you. When I reached the end of the aisle, I presented my mom with a loose rose from my bouquet that had an angel brooch attached to it. You can also tuck an embroidered handkerchief into her hand that she can use to catch her tears of joy as she watches you get married.
Make sure mom also has the seat of honor during your wedding ceremony. Whether she walks with you or is escorted by her husband or son, she is traditionally the last person to be seated before the ceremony begins and should be positioned in the front row's first position. You should also the officiant to invite your mom to the altar when they ask, "Who gives this bride away?"
Invite Mom to Participate in the Wedding Ceremony
Both the bride and groom's mothers can participate in almost any unity ceremony. They can light the individual candles that provide the flames for your marriage candle, place a prayer shawl around your shoulders, scoop in a shovelful of soil to nurture your marriage tree or write a letter for your wedding box. Moms can also offer a reading or prayer during the marriage ceremony.
Dance with Mom at the Wedding Reception
It is a nearly universal tradition for the groom to dance with his mother after the bride dances with her father. Choose a meaningful song that expresses how you feel about her, or ask your mom to select the song she would like to play -- she probably has a few ideas already! Many brides now plan a special dance with their moms as well. You can pick a sentimental song, a line dance or a tune that you can really boogie to.
Traditionally, wedding invitations list the parent's names of the bride and groom. Since blended families have complicated the wording, many couples now opt for alternative announcements. You can still publicly recognize your mom by mentioning her in the wedding program, offering a toast at the wedding rehearsal or giving her a shout out at the reception. In many Asian weddings, brides honor their moms by brewing up a wedding tea ceremony that is lovingly served in front of the guests.
You also have a special opportunity at your bridal shower to thank your mom and recognize her marriage. Tell her what you most admire about her relationship and the one lesson you have learned that you will use in your own marriage.
Mom will want a brag book of the wedding as soon as possible. Once you get your picture, put together a small album and give mom a framed photo or canvas print. There are so many options when it comes to picking the perfect wedding picture that she will cherish for a lifetime. Look for an emotional picture of the two of you together, a sweet photo of you and your spouse or a multigenerational family snapshot.
For a sentimental surprise, have your photographer recreate a pose from your mom's wedding day and then frame the two pictures side by side or have it printed on an oversized canvas.
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