They may sometimes drive you crazy, but in the end you have your whole life to thank your mom for. Most couples have very little time to spend with all of their guests, which can sometimes leave your mom feeling neglected and make the pain of losing her baby sting just a little bit more. So in honor of Mother's Day, I came up with a list of nine easy ways that you can treat your mother like a queen on your big day. Please share your own ideas in the comments below!
1. Go shopping with her for her dress. What to wear can be a big concern of mother-of-the-brides (MOBs) and mother-of-the-grooms (MOGs). I have actually seen two weddings where somehow the MOB and MOG wore the same dress, and plenty more where the two dresses looked very alike. Instant buzzkill for your mom. Spending a day with your mom to worry about what she's going to wear and be comfortable in will make her feel great!
2. Arrange for a car and driver to take her to the wedding and back home. Because seriously, who wouldn't want this kind of treatment?
3. Write a special love note to her in your program. Your mom is always bragging about you to her friends and family... why not take the opportunity to brag about her? I bet she'll keep it in a scrapbook for you, too!
4. Treat her to hair, makeup, or a manicure on the Big Day. Letting your mom know that you want her to look and feel as good as you do on your wedding day will make her shine with confidence!
5. Include pictures of her in your slideshow. Yes, we want to see those embarrassing pictures of you as a kid with your mom in the backyard, the awkward teenage pictures with your mom's trend-of-the-moment haircut, and pictures of your mom on her wedding day. Giving your guests a peek into your family life will instantly make the room feel warmer.
6. Make special decorations on her chair or place setting. It doesn't have to say "MOB" on the back, just a little ribbon on the chair or a special handwritten "I love you" note on her place card will be a touching surprise for your mom.
7. Schedule in a dance for all the moms with their kids. Lee Ann Womack's "I Hope You Dance" anyone? How about Whitney's "I'm Every Woman"? Any other suggestions?
8. Walk down the aisle with your mother and your father. Breaking this tradition couldn't hurt -- but you'll want to make sure that dad is okay with it first.
9. Incorporate mom's favorite sweets in your desserts. I don't know about your mom, but mine would be THRILLED to see some Almond Roca and those Toblerone chocolate oranges on my dessert buffet table. And if mom will let you share her secret chocolate chip cookie recipe with your caterer, all the better for you and your guests!