Traditionally, the role of the groom's mother is a little more limited than that of the mother of the bride. When it comes to involvement in wedding planning, it's usually at the discretion of the couple.
Traditionally, the groom's mother will take care of the rehearsal dinner arrangements and help prepare the guest list for the groom's side of the family. Both tasks should be done with both the bride and the groom's input. Any other responsibilities can be negotiated among the families.
As the mother of the groom, in addition to helping the couple with select planning tasks, you'll have an important role in the wedding party on the big day. Because of this, you'll need a special outfit for the nuptials. And lucky for you, mother-of-the-groom dress etiquette has evolved over the years.
The mother of the groom is a key player on the big day—and if you are about to step into those shoes, you should be prepared to put your mom skills to work behind the scenes when necessary. Whether your son asks for your help or you intuit that he needs you, you'll be there to get the job done.
As we said, traditions are constantly changing, and what the mother of the bride does vs. what the mother of the groom does when it comes to your big day really is up to you. If you want your mother-in-law to be an integral part of the wedding planning, talk with your mom about sharing responsibilities.
The Best Colors for a Mother of the Groom
"Wear a flattering color that compliments the color palette of the wedding," advises Valiente. For example, jewel tones and earthy hues are perfect for fall nuptials, while formal gowns in navy or silver would be ideal for black-tie weddings.
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.
For a Non-Denominational or Secular Wedding
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.
The Groom. The groom proceeds to walk down the aisle accompanied by their parents, with his father on the left and his mother on the right.
Traditionally, the groom's mother stays with her son on the morning of the wedding, and there's nothing wrong with maintaining the custom. She may feel more comfortable being surrounded by her own family members, and she'll certainly want to be there for photos with her son anyway.
Who Pays for the Mother-of-the-Bride and Groom's Beauty Team? As with most beauty questions, there is no hard-and-fast rule. Some brides may offer to cover hair and makeup services in order to thank the wedding party for being a part of their special day.
The wedding protocol for the mother of the groom during guest-list planning is to politely ask how many guests she's permitted to invite. According to Swann, it's important that the mother of the groom is allowed a voice in the wedding guest list discussion because a wedding is about two families coming together.
Mother of the Groom with the Father of the Groom
Traditionally speaking, the mother of the groom will walk down the aisle with the father of the groom. They will take their seats on the right-hand side in the front-row.
On your wedding day I wish you all the best, my son. And after this, may your life together be one based on mutual respect, as you shower each other with care. I hope you always look back and remember how much we cherish the love you two share.
As the wedding begins, the groom's mother will be escorted down the aisle, to the first pew, right-hand side, by the head usher or a groomsman who is a family member. A nice touch includes the groom escorting his mother down the aisle. As the groom's mother is escorted to her seat, her husband will follow along behind.
Traditionally, he walks down the aisle solo but some grooms prefer walking down the aisle escorted by both parents. Other grooms prefer a more subtle approach by entering the ceremony from the side of the venue (following the officiant and followed by the groomsmen) to take his place at the altar.
From walking down the aisle first to last, the traditional order is: Mother of Bride, Mother of Groom, Grandparents of Bride, Grandparents of Groom, Groom, Officiant, the Wedding Party, Maid of Honor and Best Man, Ring Bearer, Flower Girl and lastly the Bride and her Father.
Again, the couple's parents may or may not walk down the aisle (they can also just take their seats as the procession begins). Traditionally, the groom's parents will go first, followed by the mother of the bride, but the couple may choose to be escorted down the aisle by one or both of their parents.
Sometimes the groom's parents pay for the officiant fees, the marriage license, the bride's bouquet, boutonnieres, and corsages for immediate family members, the liquor, entertainment, and sometimes even the honeymoon!
Traditionally, the groom's parents pay for the entire cost of the honeymoon. Honeymoon costs include flights, hotels and fun vacation activities. Note: More modern couples are saving for their honeymoon together or requesting their wedding guests to pay for some parts of the honeymoon as a wedding gift.
Unless the bride asks both Mothers to wear the same color, make sure you avoid wearing the same color on the occasion. The mother of the bride and the mother of the groom's outfits must complement each other, especially for photos. Another thing that you need to remember is the formality of the dress.
Unless certain traditions or religions are involved, there aren't any specific rules when it comes to what the mother of the groom should wear. Some mothers opt to talk with the mother of the bride so that they're coordinated. But it's by no means essential.
Floral prints are also known to add a stylish flair to most modest looks—ideal for a mother-of-the-bride or mother-of-the-groom outfit.