Once upon a time, the mother of the bride would plan the entire wedding. The tradition dates back to the Anglo Saxon period, when women were considered little more than property. A nubile young bride-to-be could only be given away by her father. He alone was responsible for interviewing suitors.
When a young man was deemed worthy of his daughter’s hand, the father of the bride was expected to pay for the ceremony. Since women did not work outside of the home in those days, the father had to provide an economic incentive to sweeten the proverbial pot. Not only did daddy dearest pay for the wedding, but he also provided his daughter with a dowry, which often took the form of money or property that was transferred to husband after the ceremony.
Because weddings almost always involved the transfer of money and property in the old days, the father of the bride had a vested interest in seeing to it that the nuptials came off without a hitch, which is why he put his wife in charge of wedding planning.
It may seem antiquated, even misogynistic to most modern readers, but the practice is still quite common today. Millions of young brides are given away by their fathers each year in arranged marriages, particularly in India. Of course, most western nations have bid a fond farewell to this ancient custom.
As women have become more economically and politically independent, the father of the bride no longer has much influence over whom his daughter marries. He also doesn’t have to pay for it. Most modern couples pay for their own weddings.
But some traditions have not changed. The father of the bride still has a role to play on the wedding day. It is merely ceremonial, of course. But big papa gets to walk his daughter down the aisle and give her away. He also gets to dance with the blushing bride. What about mom?
Because most modern couples plan their own weddings, the mother of the bride doesn’t have much to do. Like the bridesmaids, she is there to offer her daughter encouragement and support, but she has few real responsibilities. Even the bridesmaids have duties on the wedding day, but not the mother of the bride. She simply has to smile for pictures and say the hello to the guests.
Now, you might assume most mothers of the bride take umbrage at their diminished role in the modern wedding ceremony, but that is not the case. Planning a wedding can take entire year of part-time work. It’s like having a second job, which is why many couples hire a professional wedding planner to lighten their load.
The Dress
Dresses for the mother of the bride have been popular in America since World War II. The traditional white wedding requires formal clothing for each member of the bridal party. The mother of the bride and the mother of the groom do not choose their dresses until the bride and her maids have selected their gowns. Tradition dictates that the mother of the bride purchases her dress first and then informs the mother of the groom of her choice. The two mothers often dress in similar colors and styles, though this is not a hard and fast rule.
Color
The mother of the bride should never wear white. The bride and the flower girls are the only females that can wear white to a wedding. Tradition also frowns upon the color black, since it is the color of mourning. And since she is not a bridesmaid, the mother of the bride should not wear their colors. What color can she wear?
Since the mother of the bride will be included in most wedding party photos, she must choose a color that does not clash with the other gowns. Many mothers select the same color dress as the bridesmaids only a few shades lighter. For instance, if the bridesmaids are wearing fuchsia, the mother of the brides will wear a much lighter and more understated rose pink dress.
Style and Accessories
Most mothers of the bride prefer take their cues from the bridal gown. They should never wear anything that is shorter or sexier than their daughter’s dress, even at an informal ceremony. Most moms take full advantage of fashionable accessories on their daughter’s wedding day. Hats, color-coordinated handbags, and understated jewelry are popular choices.
When it comes to the dress, a simple conservative gown paired with a stylish jacket is perfect for both informal and formal affairs. Mothers of the bride should always consider the season before they select a fabric and style. A crocheted jacket, for instance, is quite heavy and should only be worn to fall or winter weddings, while a sheer sleeves jacket is lightweight and perfect for a spring or summer ceremony.Mothers of the bride who worry about fitting in should always consult their daughter before they select a dress.
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Michael Keener is a freelance writer who writes about weddings and specific products such as mother of the bride dresses.
More Reading :
http://jimmyjune2011.jimdo.com/2011/11/25/wedding-planning-tips-for-the-bride-to-be-by-chris-robertson/
http://freelancephotographyjobs.weebly.com/1/post/2011/11/make-your-bride-to-be-feel-elevated-with-platinum-rings-by-articles-manager.html
http://londonjuneguy.webs.com/apps/blog/show/10644168-suggested-gift-for-the-bride-to-be-during-bachelorette-party
