Parents play a pivotal role in their children's weddings, balancing excitement and sentimentality. This guide delves into the specific duties of each parent, ensuring a smooth and memorable wedding experience for everyone involved.
Summary
Parents play a crucial role in their children's weddings, balancing excitement and sentimentality. This guide delves into the specific duties of each parent, ensuring a smooth and memorable wedding experience for everyone involved. From helping with planning and guest lists to offering moral support, parents' contributions are invaluable. Discover the unique responsibilities of the mother and father of both the bride and groom, and learn how to navigate this emotional and joyous occasion.
Mother of the Bride Duties
The mother of the bride (MOB) often takes on a significant role in wedding planning. While it's essential to support your daughter, remember that it's her special day. Here are some common responsibilities:
Key Responsibilities
Venue and Vendor Selection: Assist the couple in choosing the ceremony and reception sites, as well as selecting vendors.
Wedding Gown Selection: Help the bride pick out her wedding dress.
Guest List Management: Contribute to planning the guest list and consult with the couple and the groom's family.
Gift Registry Information: Inform the bride's relatives and family about the couple's gift registry.
Dress Coordination: Coordinate with the mother of the groom (MOG) to ensure your dresses complement each other.
Event Attendance: Attend the bridal shower and rehearsal dinner, often helping to plan the shower.
Ceremony Participation: In Christian ceremonies, sit in the first pew; in Jewish ceremonies, walk the bride down the aisle with the father.
Receiving Line: Stand at the front of the receiving line if there is one.
General Support: Provide emotional and logistical support to the bride.
Mother of the Groom Duties
The mother of the groom (MOG) has become more involved in wedding planning over the years. Here are some of her key duties:
Key Responsibilities
Initial Contact: Call the bride's parents as soon as the engagement is announced and arrange a meeting if possible.
Planning Assistance: Offer help with selecting the ceremony and reception sites and finding vendors.
Family Introduction: Host a dinner or get-together to introduce the bride to the groom's family.
Guest List Contribution: Create a list of people you would like to invite and consult with the couple and MOB.
Event Attendance: Attend the bridal shower if possible.
Gift Registry Information: Inform the groom's relatives and friends about the couple's gift registry.
Dress Coordination: Coordinate with the MOB to ensure your dresses complement each other.
Rehearsal Dinner: Traditionally, the groom's parents host the rehearsal dinner.
Ceremony Participation: In Christian ceremonies, sit in the first pew; in Jewish ceremonies, escort your son down the aisle.
Receiving Line: Stand in the receiving line if there is one.
Mother/Son Dance: Dance with your son at the reception.
General Support: Provide emotional and logistical support to the groom.
Father of the Bride Duties
For many fathers, their daughter's wedding day is an emotional milestone. Here are some ways to make it special:
Key Responsibilities
Financial Contribution: Traditionally, the bride's family pays for the wedding, although many couples now share the costs.
Planning Assistance: Offer help with selecting the ceremony and reception sites.
Specialized Tasks: Assist with tasks like choosing wedding music, food, or alcohol.
Travel Arrangements: Help with travel arrangements for out-of-town guests.
Rehearsal Dinner: Attend the rehearsal dinner and possibly give a speech.
Ceremony Participation: Escort your daughter to the ceremony site and down the aisle.
Receiving Line: Stand beside your daughter in the receiving line.
Reception Toast: Give a toast at the reception.
Father/Daughter Dance: Dance with your daughter at the reception.
General Support: Provide emotional and logistical support.
Father of the Groom Duties
The father of the groom also has important roles to play, even if they are less frequently discussed:
Key Responsibilities
Proposal Advice: Offer your son advice and support about proposing.
Welcoming the Bride: Welcome the bride to your family and express your happiness.
Planning Assistance: Offer help with selecting the ceremony and reception sites.
Travel Arrangements: Assist with travel arrangements for out-of-town guests.
Rehearsal Dinner: Traditionally, the groom's family hosts the rehearsal dinner.
Ceremony Participation: In Christian ceremonies, sit in the first pew; in Jewish ceremonies, escort the groom down the aisle.
Receiving Line: Stand in the receiving line if there is one.
Reception Oversight: Ensure the bar is well-managed and guests are behaving appropriately.
General Support: Provide emotional and logistical support.
Interesting Stats
Wedding Costs: The average cost of a wedding in the United States was $28,000 in 2021, excluding the honeymoon (The Knot).
Parental Contributions: Parents contribute to 52% of wedding costs on average (WeddingWire).
Emotional Impact: 75% of parents report feeling a mix of joy and sadness on their child's wedding day (Psychology Today).
By understanding and embracing these roles, parents can help create a wedding day that is both joyous and memorable for everyone involved.
