In most traditional Christian heterosexual weddings, the bride's parents sit in the first row on the left side of the aisle, while the groom's parents fill in the first row on the right side.
The mother of the bride is traditionally escorted by her son if she has one. Otherwise, any close male relative, the best man, or a groomsman walks with the mother of the bride during the procession.
Groom's parents
It's optional to honor the groom's parents by having them walk down the aisle. They can be seated after all of the guests and before the mother of the bride.
The groom's parents precede the bride's mother during the processional. Here's a rundown: After the ushers have seated all of the guests, the grandparents start up the aisle, followed by the groom's parents. Then the bride's mother takes her turn. She is the last to be seated before the bridal party procession begins.
Seating married parents
The parents of the bride always sit in the first pew or row on the left, facing where the ceremony will be held; the groom's parents sit in the first row on the right.
Traditionally, the groom's mother will take care of the rehearsal dinner arrangements and help prepare the guest list for the groom's side of the family. Both tasks should be done with both the bride and the groom's input. Any other responsibilities can be negotiated among the families.
When it comes to involvement in wedding planning, it's usually at the discretion of the couple. There's no expectation that the mother of the groom should be more involved, and they shouldn't take on any additional responsibilities unless the couple asks them to.
As the wedding begins, the groom's mother will be escorted down the aisle, to the first pew, right-hand side, by the head usher or a groomsman who is a family member. A nice touch includes the groom escorting his mother down the aisle. As the groom's mother is escorted to her seat, her husband will follow along behind.
The Groom: The groom proceeds to walk down the aisle accompanied by their parents, with his father on the left and his mother on the right. The Bridesmaids: The bridesmaids then proceed in pairs, starting with those standing farthest from the bride. The Maid or Matron of Honor: The bride's right-hand woman walks alone.
From walking down the aisle first to last, the traditional order is: Mother of Bride, Mother of Groom, Grandparents of Bride, Grandparents of Groom, Groom, Officiant, the Wedding Party, Maid of Honor and Best Man, Ring Bearer, Flower Girl and lastly the Bride and her Father.
With Your Mother
If you're closer to your mother, there's no reason she can't be the one to walk you down the aisle. By designating your mom as your escort, you'll be able to focus the spotlight on the influence she's had on your life.
Walk Down the Aisle
Chief among father of the groom duties is walking the groom's mother down the aisle. If the groom's parents are divorced and the father is remarried, they should, instead, escort their new spouse down the aisle and to their seat.
Who Pays for the Mother-of-the-Bride and Groom's Beauty Team? As with most beauty questions, there is no hard-and-fast rule. Some brides may offer to cover hair and makeup services in order to thank the wedding party for being a part of their special day.
Unless the bride asks both Mothers to wear the same color, make sure you avoid wearing the same color on the occasion. The mother of the bride and the mother of the groom's outfits must complement each other, especially for photos. Another thing that you need to remember is the formality of the dress.
Divorced parents: If the bride and/or groom have parents that are divorced and are making an entrance, the mother of the bride or groom will enter after the father of the bride or groom and the stepmother. If the parents get along, they may choose to sit together.
Again, the couple's parents may or may not walk down the aisle (they can also just take their seats as the procession begins). Traditionally, the groom's parents will go first, followed by the mother of the bride, but the couple may choose to be escorted down the aisle by one or both of their parents.
The wedding party is announced. Traditionally they are announced in the following order: groom's parents, bride's parents, flower girl and ring bearer, bridesmaids escorted by groomsmen, maid/ matron of honor escorted by the best man and finally the Bride and Groom.
Who Buys the Mother of the Groom Gift? Typically, a groom will buy their mum a gift, but it's also a lovely gesture if their partner buys a gift for their future mother-in-law, too. This will show how much you both appreciate the mother of the groom and all the help and support she has given with wedding planning.
As a guide, here's a list of the expenses traditionally covered by the parents of the groom: the wedding rings, officiant's fee, marriage license, the bride's bouquet, boutonnieres and corsages for the immediate family, music (band/DJ), liquor at the reception and the honeymoon.
The Best Colors for a Mother of the Groom
"Wear a flattering color that compliments the color palette of the wedding," advises Valiente. For example, jewel tones and earthy hues are perfect for fall nuptials, while formal gowns in navy or silver would be ideal for black-tie weddings.
Tell him you love him
If you find a few moments alone with your son on the big day, express how proud you are of him; how thrilled you are that he found someone special to share his life with; and how much you love him.
While this speech has traditionally been given at rehearsal dinners, it's not unusual for the mother of the groom to speak at the wedding reception, either. If you're struggling to put words on paper to express the joy, happiness, and love you have for your son, you're not alone.