The Honor of Being Mother of the Bride

I’m certain that the holidays resulted in many newly engaged couples and wedding plans are gearing up. While there are many resources out there for the bride-to-be, I think that we overlook one very important person in the Big Day…..Mom. Yes, the Mother of the Bride, or affectionately known as the MOB.

One of my most precious honors to date was serving as my daughter’s MOB. What a blast. Lots of emotions, fun and memories all rolled into one. While serving as the MOB, which for me was a year long position, I learned many things. One of the most important was my “day of preparedness plan”.   I’m not talking the big details that you always think of:  is reception hall set up correct, flowers where they need to be, photographer capturing the perfect moments, bride’s dress and veil ready to go – I’m talking the little details that are easily overlooked.

One of the most important “tools” I had with me that day was my MOB I’ve Got It Bag. This bag not only included things I needed to survive the day, but also anything the bridal party may need. I would highly recommend this to any Mother of the Bride. The following is a place to start; of course you may customize your bag to fit your specific needs.

One large tote bag – mine was a decorative print canvas bag that I’m still using today.
Fill it with:

• Tape – of all kinds
• Scissors
• Safety pins
• Flip Flops (for you to wear during reception)
• Kleenex – lots
• Spray deodorant
• Hair brush, comb, hairspray
• Bottled water
• Aspirin, Band-Aids
• Bobbie pins
• Instant stain remover stick
• Clear lip gloss – for those bridesmaids who
  forget their own
• Mints, gum
• Hand Lotion
• Nail clippers, file
• Dental floss, waterless toothbrush
• Camera
• Journal – my daughter actually gave a blank
  journal to me about 12 months prior to the wedding. I wrote in it periodically
  during our wedding prep, recording to do lists, activities completed and my
  feelings. My last entry was after the wedding and all my thoughts and emotions
  at that time. I plan to give it to my daughter someday – maybe when she’s the
  MOB!

Remember, being prepared will  make the day run as smoothly as possible, help you relax, and most importantly enable you to enjoy this very special day.