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What to Expect on the Day
As the wedding day approaches, your role of mother of the bride is invaluable as you offer help and support and ensure the smooth running of the day. As the nerves creep in, you should be there to keep your daughter calm.
Every wedding is different, but the following points should help illustrate your role on the day and what to expect.
- During the morning, you will probably want to join the bride and bridesmaids as they get ready.
- The mother of the bride usually travels with the bridesmaids to the venue. You should aim to arrive approximately 5-10 minutes before the wedding ceremony.
- If the guests have yet to be seated, stand by the entrance so that you can meet and greet the guests as they are seated.
- Once all the guests are seated, the mother of the bride is usually escorted by an usher to her seat at the front to the left of the aisle. This is a great opportunity to show off your outfit!
- You should save a seat on your right for the father of the bride once he has escorted your daughter down the aisle.
- After the wedding vows, the bride & groom will be asked to sign the marriage register. If asked to witness the marriage, you should follow to sign the register. The parents of the bride & groom are usually asked to join the newlyweds around the register for photos.
- The bride & groom will return to their places briefly in order to receive their marriage certificate before they walk back down the aisle. They will be followed by the best man and chief bridesmaid and then the father of the groom who escorts the mother of the bride on his left arm. The father of the bride and mother of the groom will then follow.
- If required, the wedding party will form a line to receive the guests - either as they leave the ceremony or as they are seated for the wedding breakfast. See receiving lines for more information.
- Photos are usually taken straight after the ceremony.
- If the reception is in a different location, the mother of the bride normally travels in a car with the father of the bride behind the bride & groom.
- If there is not a receiving line, you should make a point of meeting and greeting as many guests as you can before or during the meal so you can relax in the evening.
- After the first dance, the father of the bride may dance with his daughter for the second dance. Alternatively, he may dance with the mother of the bride.
- At the end of the evening, stand by the exit to say goodbye and thank the guests for sharing this special day.
- Ensure that any wedding gifts and cards are taken home and that any outstanding payments have been settled.
nofreetime tips
- Try to greet as many guests as you can early on in the day so that you have more time to relax and enjoy the day.
- Pack tissues and safety pins (just in case the bridesmaids forget!)
- Find out in advance what needs to be taken from the venue at the end of the evening and whether you can collect items in the morning. Lots of venues are strict about clearing up, especially if they have a wedding the following day. Where possible, ask the venue if they can help collect everything together for you at the end of the evening so that nothing is forgotten.
- If you're asked to sign the marriage register, consider how you will write your name (i.e. initials or your full name). If you're interested in family history, you might want to write your full name for future generations to see.
- Try to relax as much as possible on the days leading up to the wedding to maximise the chance of being relaxed on the wedding day itself.