Bride's Guide: Q&A for the Big Day
Advice on saying thank you to the person who makes it all possible.
May 7, 2010— -- Since Mother's Day is this weekend, I thought it was the appropriate time to write about how invaluable the mother of the bride is in the wedding planning process.
My mom has been amazing from the start. So has my dad, for that matter, but Father's Day isn't until after my wedding so he doesn't get to be the subject of an article.
My mom has been my wedding planner, therapist, travel agent, sounding board, scribe, stylist, calligrapher, copy editor and more.
She's an expert in the virtues of engraved, black-on-cream invitations, cutaways for the groom and groomsmen, and a choir at the church.
She attended food and cake tastings even though she has food allergies and couldn't actually taste anything.
She keeps telling me to relax and take naps.
And everything she's doing for me, she also did for my sister, who got married in February. Basically, she's been planning weddings for well over a year.
So what do you get for the person who is making your vision of your dream wedding day possible?
Mindy's Gift Ideas for the Mother of the Bride
Celebrity wedding planner Mindy Weiss has these suggestions:
1. Ask a friend to take a digital picture of the two of you at the wedding. If there is anywhere she can print it out (usually the facility or hotel will have a printer), you can put it in a beautiful frame that you have already engraved "Thanks for the Memories" and tuck it in her belongings or if she is staying at a hotel or have it sitting on the nightstand when she gets back to her room.
2. Find a picture of you and your mom when you were a child (enlarge if necessary). You can attach a note that says something like "Thank you for guiding me to this day."
3. A weekend away. Suggested note: "You have given us amazing memories ... here is a gift to help make some of your own. Relax, you deserve it!"
4. A dinner for two.
5. A beautiful heartfelt note expressing your appreciation and thanks.
Continue Reading:
CLICK HERE for Day 5, Planning the honeymoon.
The 30-Day Wedding Countdown
Day 29: What are Mindy Weiss' top 10 tips for the final month before your wedding?CLICK HERE for more.
Day 26: Great gift ideas for bridesmaids, groomsmen and other attendants, and how much you should spend. CLICK HERE to read.
Day 25: Seating chart strategy. CLICK HERE to read.
Day 24: Little things that make a big difference on your Big Day, from eating lunch to saying thank you. CLICK HERE.
Day 23: Juggling wedding planning with work, without losing your mind. CLICK HERE.
Day 22: Planning your wedding day timeline. CLICK HERE.
The 30-Day Wedding Countdown:
Day 19: Unique guest book ideas. CLICK HERE.
Day 18: Gifts for the bride and groom to buy for one another. CLICK HERE.
Day 17: Tips for the photographer. CLICK HERE.
Day 16: Advice on toasts and speeches at your wedding. CLICK HERE.
Day 15: The Big Dance on the Big Day. CLICK HERE.
Day 12: Finding the perfect dress and getting it altered. CLICK HERE.
Day 11: What should be in every bride's emergency kit. CLICK HERE.
Day 10: Mindy's answers to readers' questions. CLICK HERE.
Day 9: The budget and the band. CLICK HERE.
CLICK HERE to visit Mindy Weiss' website.