8 Ways to Include Your Mom on Your Wedding Day

In honor of Mother’s Day, I wanted to share some of my favorite ways to include your mom on your wedding day. If you are reading this blog, your mom is probably just as important to you as mine is to me. My mother is my best friend; my person, and I know for so many of you, your mom is too! Make her feel like the true VIP she is on your big day…

8 Ways to Include Your Mom on Your Wedding Day

1. Include Your Mom in the Planning:

Making your mom feel important can be as simple as including her in some of the wedding planning and preparations. You could bring her along to venue and vendor appointments or invite her to dress shopping and fittings. Perhaps she would love to help with the seating chart, sending invites, or organizing a DIY project. (Who doesn’t love an extra helping hand while wedding planning!) Ask for her opinion on different color or centerpiece options to show that you value her thoughts and ideas too! Plan a fun girls’ outing for the two of you after shopping for her mother-of-the-bride dress. You could even consider inviting her to your bachelorette party!

There are so many ways to include your mom in the planning process and special events leading up to the big day! Bonus: Don’t forget to invite your mother-in-law-to-be into the wedding planning process as well! She will 100% appreciate the gesture!

2. Something Borrowed:

You’ve probably heard of the tradition to have, “something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue.” Why not include something that your mom owns in your wedding? Ask her if she still has any of her wedding jewelry or a family heirloom that you can borrow for the big day. If she still has her wedding dress, you might ask for a small piece of the fabric that can be sewn into your dress. You could also consider borrowing her veil or hairpiece. These sentimental touches will personalize your day and bring in something that uniquely represents your mom!

3. Mom Helping You Get Into Your Dress Privately:

One of the most heartwarming moments of a wedding day is when the bride shares a private moment with her mom while getting into her wedding gown. It creates a beautiful, sweet memory that showcases the special connection between mother and daughter, resulting in some truly stunning photos! Plus, this experience not only creates a cherished moment, but also sets the stage for an amazing first look with your bridesmaids!

4. Mother-Daughter First Look:

Consider having a special mother-daughter first look. This intimate moment captures the pure joy and emotion of the first time your mom sees you in your wedding dress (if you decide not to have her help you into your dress, of course!) It can be a beautiful addition to your wedding album, showcasing the bond between you and your mom. Bring tissues, because there WILL be tears!

5. Walk Down the Aisle Together:

Another touching option is to have your mom walk down the aisle with you, alongside your dad. This gesture symbolizes the important role both your parents have played in your life and celebrates the love and support of your family. This option creates a heartwarming family moment that will be treasured forever, in your memory and photos!

6. Share a Special Dance With Your Mom:

For you Swifties out there, “The Best Day” is a great one! Other great mother-daughter dance songs include “Mother” by Sugarland, “Mama’s Song” by Carrie Underwood, or “There You’ll Be” by Faith Hill. I danced with my mom on my wedding day as a surprise to her and it turned out even better than I planned. It started out just me and my mom, then my sister joined in, and then all the women in my family ended up in a big hug on the dance floor! It was something I will always remember and highly recommend for mama girls.

7. A Thank You Note to Mom:

Another way to make your mom feel special on your wedding day is to give her a thank-you note or gift on the morning of your wedding that she can read before you get married. Share your heart with her about why she is so important to you and thank her for being the wonderful woman she is. A handwritten note like this would definitely be something she will treasure forever. Your photographer can even capture the moment when she opens it. I’m sure there will be a few happy tears all around! You could also write a thank you note to your new mother-in-law thanking her for raising such a great man for you to call your husband!

8. Have Your Mom Do a Reading:

Consider asking your mom to read a special passage or poem during your ceremony. This can be a meaningful way to involve her in your wedding and showcase her love and support.

For the Moms We Miss:

I can only imagine how incredibly challenging and emotional it can be to not have your mom with you on your wedding day. If your mom is no longer with you, here are a few ideas on how you can honor her.

1.  Leave an open seat for her at the ceremony in honor of her presence
2. Include a photo of her at your reception
3. Light a candle in memory of her at your reception
4. Include a locket in your bouquet with a photo of her
5. Sew part of her wedding dress into yours
6. Take a moment at some point in the day publicly or private to say a prayer to her

If you’re a loved one of the bride who has lost her mother and want to do something truly special for her on the wedding day, here are some sweet examples I have seen:

1. I had a father of the bride who hung a portrait of her mother on the wall in her getting ready room so Mom could still be there.
2. Another bride’s sister give her a handkerchief with a note from their mom. It was a beautiful gesture and it meant the world to the bride! She placed the handkerchief in her dress to carry her mother close to her throughout the day, and to use for any happy tears during the ceremony.

I hope you love these suggestions for some ways to make your mom feel special on your wedding day. I’d love to hear what you would add to this list, and if there is something unique you’re going to do to honor your mom at your wedding. Please comment below or send me a DM on instagram.