I just have to say, I’m really enjoying this thread even though there’s no 2016 wedding in my future.
However, there may be a 2017 wedding brewing – my DD has informed me that she and her boyfriend are engagement ring shopping! My daughter is very practical, very much a planner, and she’s already debating whether to shoot for Fall of 2017 or Spring of 2018 for the ceremony. She’s also an accountant, as is her BF, and she’s afraid to plan anything too near their busy season.
And thanks to you guys, I’ve already earned myself some wedding-points. Last night she texted me that she loves the look of lace top/tulle skirt in a wedding dress, and I texted back “Have you looked at the dresses at BHLDN? They look nice but I’ve heard you really need to see them in person and try them on.” She was way impressed with my dress savvy.
Just in case she eventually decides on wedding favors, I’m keeping the chocolate truffles idea in mind. Thanks!
DIL had a “day of” coordinator for their wedding. No idea what the cost was. She was sweet, but actually made a few boo-boos herself. Easily rectified, but glad we caught them.
@scout59 Ha, you came across as very savvy for your daughter with the BHLDN suggestion. My D, who is getting married this year, is going for that look at BHLDN and has her appointment to finalize the choice and to place the order coming up soon.
S didn’t want the fathers wearing the same thing as the groomsmen. DH wore a navy suit, altho he also considered grey (not the best color on him).
As the MOG, there wasn’t much to deal with beyond the rehearsal dinner, other than our own personal stuff (which was plenty enough for me) and my other son’s travel arrangements. We also returned the groom’s tux the day after the wedding.
Fathers can wear tuxes (my preference) or suits as long as both (all) fathers dress in the same level of formality. You don’t want one father in a tux and the other in a suit. Same with mothers. Either both wear long or both wear short, not one of each. Congrats on all the happy occasions!
If you google “mother of the groom checklist” , you will find many online. Some things won’t apply, some will, and others will give you ideas. My list is of each individual detail, so the rehearsal dinner category has about 10 items under it (e.g. the venue is BYOB, so we have to buy the B to bring.) I would rather have a checklist of 100 items written down than a checklist of 20 items swirling in my head. Making things finite is comforting.
Because Son’s sisters are standing up for him, the bride wanted the two dads and two ushers (her brothers) and ring bearer in tuxes to match Son’s. Then everyone found out that the tux package cost $260 per (even for the tiny one!). So now that’s being re-thought. H would love to wear his own suit instead of spending the money. I told the bride and her mother that it’s 100% up to her what the rest of the guys wear.
We got married on July 6th and had an outdoor reception, and all of the men, including fathers, wore tan summer suits: they all owned one, except one brother, so it was economical. We bought matching ties for H and his two brothers, who were the groomsmen.
We have friends whom we met years later, and it turned out that they also married in CT that summer with an outdoor reception and they also had the men in tan summer suits. Both of us wore tea length dresses, too.
No weddings yet in my family. Two have long term SO and I think both will marry at some point.
My good friend just did a wedding as the MOB. The wedding coordinator was for her peace of mind. She wanted someone on the day of who knew all of the components and who could be the one that kept the day on track so my friend could just enjoy the day. Her coordinator also handled giving out all the tips at the end of the night. He also kept his eyes open to make sure they didn’t have any crashers. Even though the venue was out of the way they did have a couple show up who didn’t belong. They gave the excuse that they had come to hear the band but the band didn’t know them. The coordinator told her that some venues he hires a security guard. I guess thieves like weddings since women leave their bags unattended and suit jackets are a great source of unattended wallets.
S1 is getting married in August. Outside. He is wearing a grey suit as are the groomsmen and fathers. They will all be rented. I like the look of all the men in the same outfit in pictures. Same with the mothers. The MOB thought she wanted long, but changed her mind and has purchased a knee-length sheath in cornflower blue with some sequins on the bodice. Very pretty. I then purchased a coral sheath with lace overlay. The wedding “colors” are mint and salmon, so we blend nicely.
Have to think about a coordinator…MOB is frail and unable to do much planning.
Well, I’m breaking the “rules” - MOB is wearing long and I am not! Bride was ok with this and I am TOTALLY happy to not wear a long dress!
Not even sure that H has a suit that truly fits. Not a suit guy and our lifestyle doesn’t require much “suiting”. Truth be told, I HATE men in suits overall - hate the fussiness of them. I’ll pose this question on what H should wear to S and FDIL. Her dad will not be featured in the wedding - he may attend but he dumped the family long ago and FDIL does not have a good relationship with him. Don’t expect he’ll be highlighted in many photos if at all.
I believe my D hired a day-of coordinator. But the groom has not yet decided what the groomsmen will wear, which is making me nervous as we will have to get my S to find a place where he lives to rent the appropriate suit. (Wedding is 2 months away!) I do not think it matters at all if one mom wears a long dress and one a short dress, or if one dad wears a suit. These things seem unimportant to me personally, but I did text a picture of my dress for D to forward to the MOG, as she is probably thinking it matters.
At several of the weddings I attended, the moms of the bridal couple wore different length dresses and no one cared and they both looked just fine. I wouldn’t worry, as long as the bridal couple is happy.
And I’m happy. Seriously, most all aspects of the wedding should be to the couple’s liking but within reason, no one should have to wear something they strongly object to - and that would be me in a long dress (or overly fancy dress).
Update…DD & FSIL found their day-of coordinator today. This was the 2nd person they had interviewed and they were very impressed The decision to hire the coordinator was sealed when I offered to pay (remember, my kids are financing their own wedding… the cost of the coordinator is a drop in the bucket compared to venue, catering, etc.- so this also makes me feel that I’m contributing in a material and helpful way…)
D. was delighted … the coordinator lives 10 minutes from the wedding venue, can be there for 12 hours…and takes care of all sorts of details. She says it’s a huge relief…the coordinator has already made some very helpful suggestions. And it’s just a relief to know that all of the details are being handled by someone who knows what they are doing. Just reading through the list of the things they take care of leaves my head spinning.
I hesitate to jump in to this party so late, but I am indeed going to be a Mother of the Bride this year. My daughter became engaged shortly after Valentines day and we’ve just signed the contract for the reception venue - the Saturday after Thanksgiving. By that time, I’ll have read through this whole thread! Already I’m learning things I had never heard of - day-of coordinator? Back to reading…
I disagree. D told both of us to wear what we wanted. I chose a short dress as I am not a long dress person. SIL’s mom wore a long dress. It was fine and both of us received a lot of compliments on what we wore.
Both of the Dads as well as my Dad wore black tuxes which matched the groom and his attendants.
That was a new one on me as well… but as soon as I figured out what they do, it seemed almost as if it would be insane not to have one for any wedding taking place at an outside venue. Here’s a list of some of the things that they do: http://www.theweddingsitter.com/day_of_coordinator.html
One thing that is odd about being on the groom’s side is that the RSVPs and gifts are going to the bride’s family, so they know who is coming and who is sending what, but H and I don’t. I’m sure fiancé’s mom will tell me when I ask, but if you want to be the best MOB ever, volunteer this info to the groom’s mother.
