What jobs does the mother of the bride do? (2023)

Wedding Roles: The Mother of the Bride

It’s happened, your little girl is getting married! Being mother of the bride is one of the most exciting roles within the wedding experience. However, it’s definitely one that comes with lots of responsibilities! To lend a guiding hand, we’ve compiled an expert list of 10 jobs that the mother of the bride can do to make sure the big day goes perfectly… 1. Congratulations! They’re engaged! It’s time to get the word out. One of the first responsibilities as mother of the bride is to make the engagement announcement to the local and national press. 2. Mum knows best! It’s often quite common for the bride to put her mum down as one of the first points of contact for suppliers and the venue. This is useful for staying organised and taking some of the stress off the bride planning the wedding. 3. With a vision in mind and tissues at the ready, one of the most special and exciting roles of mother of the bride is helping the bride choose her wedding dress. In this role it’s important to be honest, open minded, and supportive. In addition, helping to pick the bridesmaids dresses falls into this category and offers fun opportunity to be creative! It’s also tradition for the mother of the bride to pick her dress before the mother of the groom in order to prevent a clash and so that their dresses can complement each other. 4. Your mum got married wearing the same diamond necklace that you wore on your big day? Pass it on to your daughter! Mother of the bride plays a major role in researching family traditions and heirlooms to incorporate on the big day! Doing so can help make the couples wedding day extra personal and special. 5. Making new relationships that will last a lifetime! Top wedding planners often recommend that the mother of the bride organises a dinner for both families or an afternoon tea for the women of the families prior to the wedding. This provides a fantastic opportunity for both groups to get to know each other, share ideas, and forge happy relationships for the future! 6. The hostess with the mostest! The mother of the bride traditionally takes on the role of hostess on the big day. This involves making sure those invited have somewhere to stay, greeting guests at the ceremony and reception, and being a source of assistance for all those attending. 7. It’s happening! On the big day, a treasured and time honoured tradition of the mother of the bride is helping the bride into her wedding dress and placing her veil on. Enjoy this once in a lifetime moment! 8. Here comes the bride! The mother of the bride can escort the bride down the aisle if the bride’s father isn’t planning it or if it’s tradition to do so! For example, in Jewish weddings both parents escort the bride. 9. Time to twirl! Traditionally, the mother and father of the bride dance the second dance. It’s also tradition for the mother of the bride to schedule in a dance with the groom as the first dance sequence begins. 10. Last but certainly not least, the most important role of the mother of the bride is to be a source of valuable advice, the bride’s biggest cheerleader, a shoulder to cry on, and to have endless fun in the run up and throughout the big day! This is a special time, enjoy it!

Mother of the Bride — Roles & Responsibilities

Your daughter just got engaged! Congratulations! As the mother of the bride, you have a very important role to play in her engagement. But the definition of that role may not be as clear as it once was. So what is your job, exactly? For some weddings, the mother of the bride is still at the head of the planning, and for others, she may take a back seat approach. Whichever position you end up taking, there are a few distinct roles you should expect to fill.

The Consultant

Even if she’s a DIY queen, your bride is going to have questions. And it’s your job to make sure she gets answers. The mother of the bride should be prepared to research anything and everything. From etiquette rules to religious traditions to table settings, you will be your bride’s advice guru.

The Fashionista

Choosing her wedding dress is one of the most exciting moments for a soon to be bride. This moment is traditionally shared with close friends and the mother of the bride. Your job is celebrate in this joyful experience and offer your honest opinions. But that may not be a possibility if you live far away. You can always participate by sending her photos of dresses you think she’ll like and researching respected bridal shops for her. And of course you will get to be there for the sweetest of bridal traditions, helping her get dressed on the big day and placing her veil.

The Hostess

Traditionally, the mother of the bride is in charge of hosting the wedding reception. You should make it a point to check in with everybody at some point during the night, as your bride may be too busy to. Making yourself available to the guests will make them feel welcomed and appreciated and take some of the pressure away from the bride and groom.

The Contact

On the day of the wedding your bride should be focused on only that, being a bride. In fact, any last minute changes or problems on the day of the wedding shouldn’t even reach the attention of the soon to be Mrs. The mother of the bride is the go-to contact for the florist, caterer, DJ, officiant and event planner. And there is nothing she can’t handle.

The Cheerleader

Weddings are a roller coaster of joy and chaos. Chances are your bride is going to be overwhelmed and need a shoulder to cry on at some point during the planning. Luckily, the role of the cheerleader is the easiest one for the mother of the bride to take on. Because above all else, your main job is the one you already have…Mom.

Wedding Woes — Cancellations & Coronavirus

As of last week, the CDC has officially recommended weddings (and any event of 10 or more people) be cancelled or pos.

Stay Home — A Marrygrams Guide of Quarantine Activities

Happy Weekend, internet family! It’s been a wild time for just about everyone on the planet. And while this week has .

How to Support Small Businesses During Times of Crisis

Hello friends, what a wild week it’s been, huh? While things seem to be changing by the hour, a solid fact remains. S.

The Ultimate Mother of the Bride Checklist

Make sure your mum is W-day ready by sharing our ultimate mother of the bride checklist with her! Or are you the mother of the bride doing your wedding homework? Print out our handy mother of the bride checklist to help you stay organised and on top of all the planning.

Doing even more research? Find out what the father of the bride duties are here.

14 Things That Need to be on the Mother of the Bride Checklist

1. Help with the Planning

Traditionally, the bride’s family pay for the wedding. However, UK wedding statistics reveal that now most couples tend to split the costs. If the mother of the bride is paying towards the wedding, you may have more of a hand in the organising.

The best bet is to offer to help and be as available as you can, but be aware of when help and opinions aren’t wanted.

2. Check in with the Mother of the Groom

It’s polite to get in touch with the mother of the groom (or the other bride). You can also discuss outfits – the MOTB traditionally gets first dibs on what colour she wears, so you can make sure you both don’t clash.

3. Attend the Bridal Shower

You might not be on the list for the hen party – and don’t be offended if you’re not – but the mother of the bride typically attends the bridal shower. It’s one of the bridesmaid duties to arrange the bridal shower, so it’s not something that will land on your mother of the bride checklist.

A spa hen weekend is a great mother of the bride-friendly hen do idea!

4. Help the Bride Get Ready

On the day of the wedding, the MOTB would typically be with the bride as she gets ready. Help her into her dress and keep her calm. Also, make sure she eats something!

5. Take Charge on the Morning

On the morning of the wedding, one of the biggest things on the mother of the bride checklist is taking charge at the house (or venue!). Make sure the bride stays calm, make sure the makeup artist and hairstylists see to everyone, and make sure any young bridal attendants are kept occupied.

You should also receive the flowers from the florist and ensure they’re handed out to all of the bridal party.

If your mum has been fabulous during wedding planning, make sure you treat her to a lovely mother of the bride gift.

6. Travel to the Ceremony with the Bridesmaids

The mother of the bride travels to the wedding ceremony ahead of the bride. She usually travels in a car with the bridesmaids and any little ones who are in the wedding party. You should be there around 10 minutes before the bride arrives.

7. Take a Front Row Seat

Upon arriving, the MOTB should greet guests and make sure everyone has their orders of service – distributing these is one of the ushers’ duties. Then you should take a seat at the front of the ceremony, and an usher should escort you to your seat.

8. Witness the Signing of the Register

Traditionally the father of the groom would escort the mother of the bride to be the witnesses of the signing of the register. However, it’s up to the couple who they choose to be witnesses.

9. Leave the Ceremony After the Couple

After the newlyweds have left the ceremony as newlyweds, and the bridal party has followed, the MOTB will need to lead the guests out of the service. Everyone exits from front to back, so along with the father of the groom, you will be the first to exit after the bridal party.

10. Arrange the Photos

After the wedding ceremony, the mother of the bride will need to be in several photos and help to organise the guests so everyone who is needed in the photos is present. Make sure the bride looks her best – help to arrange her dress and be on hand for any makeup touch-ups too!

11. Participate in the Receiving Line

It was once a pretty standard wedding tradition to have a receiving line, however they’re not always that common now. But if the bride’s family are hosting the wedding and there is a receiving line, the mother of the bride greets the guests just after the newlyweds.

12. Sit Next to the Groom’s Father

If the couple are having a traditionally arranged top table, the mother of the bride should sit next to the father of the groom, whilst the father of the bride sits on the other side of the bride in prime place for his speech!

If the father of the bride isn’t at the wedding, you can read our guide about what to do if your dad isn’t at your wedding.

13. Look After the Gifts

An important task on the mother of the bride checklist is to look after the gifts at the wedding reception. Make sure they’re safely stashed away after the party so the couple can pick them up whenever they’re ready to.

14. Collect the Cake

There’s one more task before the day is over! Arrange with the venue to collect the cake. The couple might want to save the top tier, or there might be lots of leftovers to distribute. It’s the mother of the bride’s job to organise this.

Now you know what the mother of the bride needs to do, it’s time to read up on the six things every mother of the bride should be.

Share on Twitter
Share on Facebook
Share on Pinterest