Planning your wedding is one of the most exciting times of your life, and along the way, there’s one person who’s likely to be right by your side through it, your mom. She will be there through all the big decisions like finding the perfect dress to figure out your guest list, your mom has always been your biggest supporter, confidant, and cheerleader. While dads often get the spotlight by getting to walk his girl down the aisle and with a special dance, it’s equally important to find meaningful ways to honor and include your mom on your big day. Here are some heartfelt and creative ideas to ensure she feels as cherished and appreciated as she deserves.
A First Look with Mom
We’ve all heard of the bride’s first look with the groom or your dad, but what about a first look with your mom? This can be an incredibly emotional and beautiful moment, especially if you’ve kept your dress a surprise. Set aside a few minutes to plan a private reveal. The look on her face when she sees you in your wedding dress with your hair and makeup done will be priceless. If you can’t fit a first look in the timeline, one of our favorite pictures at The Hidden Abbey is the bride’s mother assisting her with putting on her dress and veil.
Dedicate Your Bouquet to Your Mom
Your bridal bouquet is a significant part of your wedding day and dedicating it to your mom is a beautiful and symbolic gesture. To make it extra special, you can include flowers that have a special meaning to your mom or are from a plant that she particularly loves. At the reception, consider presenting the bouquet to her with a few heartfelt words of appreciation. It’s a touching way to honor her presence and everything she’s done to support you leading up to your big day.
Include Her in Your Bouquet
In addition to dedicating your bouquet to your mom, consider incorporating something of hers into it. This could be a piece of fabric from her wedding dress or a brooch. Carrying a part of your mom with you down the aisle is a beautiful way to keep her close to your heart during such a significant moment. The bouquet featured in this blog, from Venue de la Chute in Shreveport, LA, and photographed by Misty Swilley, was designed to honor past loved ones, but this idea could easily be adapted to include a picture of the bride and her mom. It’s a heartfelt way to celebrate your bond and ensure she has a special place in your wedding day.
Walk Down the Aisle Together
Traditionally, the father of the bride walks her down the aisle, but there’s no reason you can’t include your mom in this moment as well. If you’re lucky enough to have both parents, you can consider having them both walk you down the aisle. It’s a symbolic way to acknowledge the role both parents have played in your life.
A Special Tribute During the Ceremony
Another way to honor your mom is during the ceremony. This could be a with a special reading that she performs that means something to you, her or both of you. She could also say a prayer or one of the more traditional ways to include both mothers is the unity candle. Having her do something special during the ceremony adds a personal touch to your ceremony.
Mother-Daughter Dance
Who says dads get to have all the fun on the dance floor? Consider having a mother-daughter dance at your reception. Pick a song that’s meaningful to both of you, whether it’s a tune from your childhood that holds a special spot in your heart or a song with lyrics that perfectly capture your relationship with your mother. It’s a touching way to celebrate the bond you share and to give your mom a moment in the spotlight. The featured pictures are from a beautiful wedding at The Farm at Spring Valley in Readyville, TN, where a daughter shared a special dance with her mother.
A Toast to Mom
During the reception, when the time comes for toast, why not raise your glass to your mom? This is the perfect time to take a moment to thank her for everything she’s done for you, not just in the wedding planning process, but throughout your life. A heartfelt toast is a beautiful way to publicly acknowledge her importance in your life and express your gratitude in front of all your loved ones.
A Special Gift
Surprising your mom with a special gift on the morning of your wedding would be a great way to show your love for her. It doesn’t have to be extravagant—something meaningful and thoughtful will go a long way. It could be with a special piece of jewelry for her to wear on your big day, a personalized handkerchief, or a photo book filled with memories of the two of you. These little touches show that you’re thinking of her and that she’s a big part of your day.
Wear a Piece of Her Jewelry or Her Dress
One of the most meaningful ways to honor your mom on your wedding day is by wearing something of hers. This could be a piece of jewelry that she holds dear—perhaps the necklace she wore on her wedding day or a bracelet that she’s passed down to you. If you’re looking to incorporate something even more personal, consider wearing her wedding dress or incorporating elements of her dress into your own. Whether it’s her veil, lace from her gown, or even just a small piece of fabric sewn into your dress, this gesture is a beautiful way to carry a part of her with you as you walk down the aisle.
Share a Private Moment Together
There is a lot of excitement and activity throughout your wedding day but carve out a few minutes to spend alone with your mom. This could be a quiet walk before the ceremony, a few moments of reflection before the reception, or even a simple hug and a thank you in a quiet corner. These private moments will be some of the most cherished memories you both have from that day.
Conclusion
Your wedding day is a celebration of love—not just the love you have for your partner, but also the love and support of your family, especially your mom. Including her in a special way, you’re not only honoring her role in your life but also creating memories that both of you will hold dear for years to come. So, go ahead and make sure your mom feels like the VIP she truly is on your big day. After all, she’s been there every step of the way, and she deserves her moment in the spotlight too! If you’re looking for a wedding venue, we would love for you to come and check us out by clicking here to schedule a tour!
The Hidden Abbey Event Center is a locally owned and operated business. We sincerely hope to encourage couples to learn more about planning a wedding locally. We want to give a special thanks to some amazing wedding venues across the United States who inspire us and help support our venue. We are also thrilled to support other wedding venue owners from around the country with a shout out in each of our blogs. You can find locally owned wedding venues featured on this wedding venue map.
Love the first look with mom! http://www.celestialfarms22.com
Bouquet dedications and readings make for such sweet moments! Repurposing Mom’s dress is also an amazing way to check off the “something borrowed” box. Thank you for sharing these awesome ideas for honoring Mamas! – Sarah Adler, Cold Spring Farm, http://www.coldspringbarn.com
Great article! I love the idea of honoring moms during your wedding day. At our venue, Circle of Seven Ranch, we have seen several bride and mother dances and it’s so touching!