Yes, it is very common and traditional for the groom's parents to walk down the aisle, usually before the bride's mother, to be seated in the front row on the right side, often escorted by an usher or walking together, signifying their important role before the main ceremony begins. While some modern couples have the groom enter from the side, having his parents process is a classic way to honor them, though personal preference dictates the final order, say Brides, The Knot, and Zola.
According to traditional etiquette, the groom's family is responsible for paying for the bride's rings, the groom's and groomsmen's attire, the rehearsal dinner, gifts for the groomsmen, some personal flowers, the officiant's fee, the marriage license fee, certain aspects of transportation, and the honeymoon.
Here are a few things a mother-of-the-groom shouldn't do.
My advice is to enjoy every minute of the day. Be there for your son when/if he needs you. Choose a song that means something special to your son and you so you can thoroughly enjoy your mother-son dance. Welcome in and support the love of his life and her family. Spend time with the bridal party if invited.
Keep it Neutral. We typically tell our brides and grooms to keep their fathers more on the neutral side. By using greys, blacks, and navys for their attire.
Key Takeaways. The father of the groom should help plan and host the rehearsal dinner and order his suit early. On the big day, it's important for him to greet guests and support the groom with confidence. Dancing with your child's partner and giving a heartfelt toast are highlights of the wedding reception.
Traditionally, the groom's parents host and pay for the rehearsal dinner. I don't recommend a gift to the bride's parents if you are hosting the dinner, but a gift might be appreciated if the bride's parents are hosting (and paying for) the rehearsal dinner.
Key Takeaways. Parents don't have to buy a wedding gift if they've already contributed financially to the wedding costs. If giving a gift, consider meaningful items like family heirlooms or experiences instead of just money.
Caption Options. The groom's family traditionally paid for all costs associated with the rehearsal dinner and honeymoon, wedding day transportation, and the officiant.
It's becoming more and more common for the mother of the groom to give a speech at the reception. Traditionally, it was the father of the bride or the best man, but many couples now invite the groom's mum to share a few heartfelt words — it's a lovely way to express pride and welcome the new daughter-in-law.
The "30/5 minute rule" for weddings is a time-management strategy: expect things that usually take 5 minutes to take 30 on your wedding day (like getting dressed due to distractions), and plan for 30-minute buffers before major events, while conversely, anticipating guests might arrive 5 minutes late to key moments. This rule builds crucial flexibility into your schedule, preventing small delays from derailing the entire event and creating breathing room for spontaneous moments, ensuring a smoother, less stressful day.
The Mother of the Groom's Role on Wedding Day
At the reception, the married couple might encourage her to deliver speeches or toasts. She's also invited to welcome guests and join monumental dances. Her involvement helps create a welcoming and celebratory atmosphere, making the event more enjoyable for everyone.
Venue Staff: Most venues, especially those that specialize in weddings, include cleanup as part of their service package. This usually covers basic tasks like removing chairs, tables, decorations, and trash, as well as sweeping or vacuuming the floor.
The groom might opt to escort his mother down the aisle and to her seat in the front row, followed closely behind by the groom's father. This gives the groom an opportunity to give his parents a hug before taking his place at the altar.
Historically, the bride's father—or both of her parents—take the first speech of the night. “This is typically the way it was done because the parents of the bride would traditionally pay for the wedding, and having them kick off the toasts indicates to guests that they were the hosts,” say Hall and Vanco.
The Best Colors for Mothers of the Groom to Consider
In general, jewel tones and earthy hues, like emerald green and burgundy, work well for more formal events taking place in the fall or winter. In the spring and summer, lighter, brighter hues, like pink, pale purple, or light blue, might feel more appropriate.
Zero, nothing, nada, zilch! Traditionally, Parents of the groom pay for the rehersal dinner. The parents of the bride pay for the wedding and weding reception costs. Tradition usually dictates "normal."
As the mother of the groom, you can always offer help with the wedding planning process. On the wedding day, be there to support your son in any way that you can. The best thing that you can do is to help bridge your families, welcome wedding guests, and soak in all the special moments of this defining day.
The mother of the groom traditionally brings a small gift to the bridal shower. When it comes to the wedding itself, the mother of the groom can give the bride a more sentimental gift, like a family heirloom, to officially welcome her into the family.
Exciting Travel Experience. For a memorable gift for your son on his wedding day, get him an experience gift he can share with his new spouse. Tinggly's "Just Married" gift set offers them a choice of more than 14,000 activities in 100 countries, from luxury plane tours to surfing lessons and everything in between.
20 Thoughtful Gifts for Mother of the Groom She'll Truly Treasure
As the groom's parents, the best wedding etiquette you can perform is being there to support your son. Welcoming wedding guests and making sure that everyone is comfortable is always a good idea for the big day.
Helping the Groom Prepare for the Wedding Day
On the wedding day, you can assist the groom by ensuring he has everything he needs. This could include helping him with his attire, calming his nerves, or making sure he eats before the ceremony. Small gestures can make a big difference.
Traditionally, the groom's parents cover the cost of their son's attire, including his suit or tuxedo, shoes, tie, cufflinks, and other accessories. Some families extend this to the groomsmen, helping with suits or rentals.
They don't support your relationship.
Family members who don't support your relationship shouldn't be invited to your wedding, Ladson says. This may mean not inviting parents to your wedding as well as cousins or extended family members who aren't rooting for you and speak badly about your relationship.