About to Become the Mother-of-the-Bride?

"My daughter and fiancé did most of their wedding planning, yet as the day grew closer, my role seemed to increase. Little text bombs started arriving in my phone: "There's a surprise $2500 fee on the venue contract, what's that for?!" "We need to find more family photos!" "The wine didn't show! Where is it?!" I took deep breaths, reminding myself to slow down."

"I asked my daughter to start running things by me; I could prevent reinventing the proverbial wheel: "I can't reach the event director, she hasn't responded to texts or emails!" she'd write. "Call her!" I insisted (a startling idea to a millennial, but one that worked). "We need a dry cleaner to press the dress and suit the day before! And someone to drive the clothes over!" "Ask the hotel, they'll do it in-house, don't work so hard!" I suggested (another astonishing idea to 30-somethings)."

The mother of the bride role should prioritize emotional support rather than logistics, stepping in where needed and offering calm guidance. Delegating practical tasks to the broader 'village' prevents overwork and leverages others' strengths. Direct intervention, like calling unresponsive vendors or suggesting hotel services, can solve problems quickly. Traditional MOB duties are optional; medical knowledge and small comforts such as Advil or sleep aids can be more valuable than sewing kits. Hosting duties that bring joy include dancing, assisting guests, and shaping memorable moments. Mothers should choose flattering, confident attire rather than defaulting to frumpy, overly covered outfits.

Read at Psychology Today