Click here to download the catalog as a PDF file. To view this site you need Adobe Flash Player and your browser must allow javaScripts. Go here to get the latest Flash Player. Family Affair The bridal guides and magazines are very clear when it comes to the mother of the bride and her role in wedding planning. Traditionally, the major aspects of planning a wedding are the domain of the bride and her mother - with the groom’s input, of course. But what’s the mother of the groom to do? It’s not always clear what’s expected of her during the planning process. The problem is, there are no easy answers. Every situation and family is going to be different, and relationships between future in laws may or may not be close. Heck, they may not even be in the same state! There are a few things mothers of the groom should know about wedding planning. The first is to stay calm: remember that the wedding is about the bride and groom, not the mothers. Whatever you do and say should be geared toward making sure the day is the happiest of their lives and that it is not marred by squabbles, either during the planning or on the day of the wedding. If the moms get angry, they’ll only cause a rift and may damage their relationships with each other and the couple. The second thing is to remember that you can’t always wait to be asked to help. The bride and her mother may be so busy with details that they don’t realize you’d like to help. (Note to brides and their moms: ask the groom’s mom to help out!) Offer the bride your assistance, whether it’s financial or in some other By Cori Meloney concrete way. She will appreciate knowing you’d like to be part of the planning. The third thing mothers of the groom can do is throw their energies into the tasks they are traditionally expected to perform, the largest of which is the rehearsal dinner. If the bride and her mother have nothing else for you to do, spend your energies making sure the rehearsal dinner is perfect. After months and months of planning, everyone will appreciate the extra effort you put into making the dinner relaxing and fun. Perhaps the stickiest issue for most mothers of the groom is the dress. Stores advertise mother of the bride dresses, and formalwear clothing lines design special dresses for the occasion. Mothers of the groom may feel like there are no dresses catered to their wishes when in fact they can choose from the same styles as the mother of the bride. Just remember to make sure your dress complements that of the mother of the bride, the bride and the rest of the bridal party. This is a wedding, not a fashion competition. For both moms, it is good to consult with the bride while you’re shopping - or, better yet, bring her with you! It bears repeating: The most important thing both families need to do is keep the happiness of the couple in mind as they make decisions and interact with each other. You’re not just planning a party together - you’re joining two families for a lifetime. 32 | SOUTHERN MARYLAND WEDDINGS WINTER / SPRING 2009