While traditionally, mothers are escorted in the early part of the ceremony or walking in with their child, you have even more options, Chang says. "You can treat her like a wedding party member, or you can walk in with both your parents or your mother," she says.
Play Hostess
From the moment guests begin to arrive in town through the end of the ceremony, the mother of the bride is the official hostess, helping each guest feel welcome. According to Valentine, "Receiving lines are not as customary, so making a point to greet or visit with each guest is important."
During your wedding ceremony, read a touching poem or say some words from the heart dedicated to your parents. To honor both sets of parents, have the bride read to the groom's parents and vice versa. Not only will it have the parents in appreciative tears, but also signifies the unification of the two families as one.
The groom's parents can take their seats in the first row, on the right side. The mother of the bride, escorted by an usher or family member, can take her seat in the first row, on the left side. Her entrance officially marks the start of the processional.
MEMORIALIZE YOUR LOVED ONES
It's common to see photos of the happy couple on display at their wedding reception, but you can also showcase pictures of parents, grandparents, and other family members. This is also a great opportunity to include a candle or flowers for those who can't be with you.
In some situations, there is the sadness of an absent father, so a bride might choose her mother, a grandfather or grandmother, an uncle or aunt, a brother or sister, her own son or daughter, or any combination of people to walk her up the aisle.
Acknowledge their absence in your ceremony.
Work with your celebrant on what they could say, they will also be able to provide advice. Here's a way your deceased loved one could be acknowledged; “There is one very much-loved person who is sadly no longer with us and that is (name of deceased person/s).
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.
Madison Vanderberg is a freelance writer with a decade of experience. The mother-son wedding dance, which is a dance shared between the groom and his mother at the start of the reception, is a long-standing tradition that many couples choose to honor on their big day.
The mother of the bride should avoid trying to control every aspect of the wedding, criticizing the bride's decisions, or creating unnecessary drama.
Dedicate an event to them
Hold a fundraiser for a cause they cared about. Plan a celebration of life or an annual celebration on their death anniversary. If your mother or father loved the theatre, ballet, or symphony, gather loved ones to attend in their memory. This will allow others a chance to honor them as well.
This is entirely up to you. Some people want to honor their dad by putting his name on the invitation. If your father passed away a long time ago, or your mom is remarried, you may decide to not include your deceased father's name on the wedding invitation. Either decision is absolutely fine.
If the mother of the bride is taking part in the wedding processional, she is traditionally escorted by a close male relative like a son or brother or may enter alone. If the parents are divorced, she may be escorted by her partner. In some cases, a groomsman or best man will escort her down the aisle.
Walk with another trusted loved one
If the bride's dad is deceased, asking someone else to escort the bride is a powerful tribute. This could be an uncle, family friend, step-parent, sibling, the mother of the bride, or friend. It's also appropriate for the bride to walk herself down the aisle.
Mention The Bride's Mother And New In-Laws
Even if you're divorced from her mother, a line or two acknowledging her part in your child's life will be very well appreciated.
“At this time, we remember (Father/Mother), loving (dad/mom) to (bride/groom). Though (he/she) cannot be with us physically, we acknowledge that (he/she) is here in spirit sharing in our joy. (Bride/Groom) is thankful to have been blessed with (name of person) as their (daddy/momma).
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.
In Christian ceremonies, the bride's mother is always seated last and the groom's mother is seated just before her. The seating of the bride's mother usually signals the ceremony is about to begin.
5 minutes prior to ceremony: The groom's mother is escorted to her seat by the head usher, a son, or the groom. The groom's father follows and sits next to her. The wedding processional follows.
It's a great idea to treat your mother throughout the wedding-planning process, but a special, custom gift can be given a few days or weeks before the wedding itself. The big day of will be busy for both of you, so schedule a fun date for just the two of you ahead of time.
Often these types of sentiments do not help: “I know how you feel.” You can't know how someone else feels when they go through the loss of a parent. It is okay to let them know how you felt when your parent died. “Time heals all wounds.” This is another phrase overused by those who have good intentions and mean well.