Monday, November 26, 2012

Mother-of-the-Bride Traditions

Weddings can bring up the stickiest of situations. Butting one family up against another, and adding the stress of a big day can lead to fireworks. Luckily there's a whole bunch of wedding traditions that'll help take the sting out of certain decisions. So if you're worried about where your in-laws should sit on the top table, what the mother-of-the-bride should wear, and which side of the church is bride or groom,  you're going to love these Top Wedding Traditions.


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1. If you choose to announce your wedding in a newspaper, traditionally it is the father of the bride who takes the step, and pays the bill.

2. The mother-of-the-bride should choose her outfit first, and inform the mother-of-the-groom of the colour and design. This way, there's no risk of accidental matching! My mother's favourite company is Jacques Vert.

3. Traditionally the bride's family pay for the wedding, and the groom's family contribute to the groom's and ushers' suits, the wedding flowers, and wedding transport.

4. During the wedding service, the parents of the bride sit on the left side, in the front seats. The groom's family will then sit on the right side. Immediate family take up the next few rows, on their appropriate side depending on their relationship to the groom or bride. Friends then sit behind family. It's best to put a little note to reserve the front few rows.

5. British wedding traditions state that the bride stands to the right of her Father. They lead the procession, followed by the bridesmaids and pageboys.

6. The groom's mother is seated first {usually by the head usher or another sony}, about 15 minutes before the ceremony begins. The mother of the bride is seated just before the processional (again, usually by the head usher). The bride's mother is the first to be escorted out (usually by her husband) after the bride and groom leave.

7. The first speech is traditionally given by the father of the bride, ending with a toast to the bride and groom. The groom then thanks the bride's parents and the guests, before making a toast to the bridesmaids. Finally, it's the best man.

 8. British wedding tradition dictates that the top table should be, from the left: chief bridesmaid, groom's Dad, bride's Mum, groom, bride, bride's Dad, groom's Mum, best man. If this is too difficult {divorced parents, etc}, then why not consider asking each set of parents to host their own table?

♥ Want more wedding traditions? ♥ Or how about real weddings? ♥
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