How Moms and Daughters Can Stay Close During Wedding Season

Wedding season is one of the most exciting and emotional times in a woman's life. For mothers and daughters especially, it can bring out a mix of love, nostalgia, pride and unexpected tension. Between the big decisions, busy schedules and high emotions, its easy for hurt feelings or arguments to sneak in if you're not careful.

I know this from experience. 

One of the most surprising emotions that came up for me and something many mothers experience is how bittersweet this transition can be. You can absolutely adore your child's future spouse, fully support their relationship and still feel a quiet ache at the idea of letting go. Its not about losing your daughter its about sharing her in a new way.

Holidays might look different. Traditions may need to be blended. The way you've always done things as a family starts to shift and even when you know it's healthy and good, it can still sting.

Thats okay. Those emotions don't make you selfish or unsupportive they make you human. It's just another part of loving deeply and watching your child step into her next chapter. What matters most is acknowledging the feeling, giving yourself grace and allowing room for the relationship to evolve not end, but grow.

I wanted everything to be absolutely perfect for her and for me. Looking back, I realize that my need for perfection and my emotions made me a little harder to deal with at times.

Lucky for me, my daughter and I are incredibly close and our special bond carried us through. Even though we had a few minor disagreements, they never put a dent in our relationship.  With a little more patience and perspective, the process could have been even sweeter and less stressful for both of us.

That's why I'm sharing these heartfelt tips so you and your daughter (or you and your mom!) can walk through this beautiful season with even more grace, patience and love.

Here's what I learned and what I hope can help you too:

1. Set Expectations Early:  The key to a smooth journey is clear communication from the beginning.

Brides: kindly share how involved you want your mom to be.

Moms: ask your daughter how you can best support her vision.

This helps avoid misunderstandings and allows both of you to step into roles that feel good and respectful.

2. Communicate with Curiosity, Not Control

Instead of offering immediate opinions or advice, approach conversations with curiosity. Ask questions like, What are you envisioning for the ceremony? or How can I help you make this feel like your dream day?  This opens the door for collaboration rather than conflict and shows that you value each other's ideas.

3. Define Roles and Responsibilities

Planning a wedding involves a lot of moving parts. It is easy for things to slip through the cracks or for wires to get crossed. Agree early on who will handle what tasks whether it's managing guest lists, booking vendors, or planning pre-wedding events.  A clear game plan keeps everyone in their lane and reduces stress for everyone involved.

4. Create No Wedding Talk Zones

It is easy for every conversation to turn into wedding talk during this busy season. But remember your relationship is more than just one event.  Plan regular moments (like coffee dates or walks) where you intentionally don't talk about the wedding.  It'll give you both a chance to relax, recharge and stay connected outside of planning.

5. Compliment Before You Critique

If you don't love a dress, a venue or a color choice pause before offering criticism. Start with something positive first:   You look so radiant in that dress tell me what you love most about it?  This helps keep the conversation supportive and affirming, even when opinions differ.

6. Pick Your Battles

In the grand scheme of things, does it really matter if the napkins are ivory instead of pure white?  Focus on the heart of the day the celebration of love and let the small stuff go. You'll both enjoy the process so much more.

7. Remember: It's a Big Transition for Both of You

Moms might be feeling the bittersweetness of seeing their daughter step into a new chapter.  Daughters might feel a mix of excitement and pressure to make everyone happy. Give each other grace and recognize that emotions are natural they come from a deep place of love.

8. Take Breaks When Needed

If a conversation starts to get heated or emotional, it's okay to take a breather.  Step back, breathe and revisit the topic later with a calm heart and fresh perspective. Protecting your relationship is always more important than winning a moment.

9. Celebrate Together

Make time to create joyful memories together beyond the wedding checklist.  Whether it's dress shopping, a fun brunch, or a weekend getaway, these moments will become some of your favorite memories from this season.

10. Always Lead with Love

When tensions rise, pause and ask yourself,  Is what I'm about to say coming from a place of love or my need to be right or in control?  If it is coming from a place of love, say it. If not, take a moment to reframe it. Love should be the guiding force behind every decision, every conversation and every day of this journey.

At the end of the day, weddings come and go but your bond is forever.  If there is one thing I learned when my daughter got married, is that staying connected through all the emotions is the most important thing of all.

Perfection doesn't make a wedding special love does. And the love between a mother and daughter is one of the most beautiful parts of the whole celebration. Treasure it, nurture it and let it be the foundation for everything else.

Outdated Mother of the Bride and Groom Traditions We're Glad to Leave Behind

Weddings have evolved in so many beautiful ways and thankfully, so has the role (and wardrobe!) of the mother of the bride and mother of the groom. If you're preparing for your child's big day and wondering what traditions you have to follow, the good news is: many of the old rules no longer apply.

Let's take a look at some long-standing traditions that modern moms are happily updating or ditching altogether.

1. Muted, Matronly Dresses Only

Then: Mothers were expected to dress modestly in muted colors like beige, navy, or blush nothing too bold, nothing too sparkly.

Now: Today's moms are embracing color, texture, and style. From rich jewel tones to modern metallics, they're choosing gowns that reflect their personality and photograph beautifully. Style no longer means fading into the background.

3. Hats and Corsages 

Then: Formal hats and large shoulder corsages were seen as traditional signs of a mother's role at the wedding.

Now: While hats are still popular at ultra-formal or British-inspired events, most moms opt for modern accessories like statement jewelry, clutch bouquets, or no flowers at all.

4. Hosting Duties Are Firmly Divided

Then: The bride's family paid for the wedding, while the groom's family handled the rehearsal dinner.

Now: Today's weddings are often a team effort. Many couples (and their families) split costs in ways that reflect their budgets and relationships are not outdated expectations.

Reality Check: The days who pays for what rulebook has been tossed. Focus on what works best for your family dynamic.

5. Moms Stay Out of the Spotlight

Then: Mothers were expected to be reserved and staying seated during the reception and letting others take the lead.

Now: Moms are often center stage giving heartfelt toasts, hitting the dance floor and fully celebrating this major life milestone.

6. Avoid Matching the Wedding Party

Then: It was considered inappropriate for mothers to wear anything resembling the bridal party.

Now: Coordination is key! While moms don't match the bridesmaids exactly, they often choose complementary colors and styles to create a beautifully cohesive look in photos.

Example: If the bridesmaids are wearing dusty blue, a mother of the bride might wear slate, navy, or soft silver.

7. No Black or White Allowed

Then: Black was considered too somber, and white was seen as competing with the bride.

Now: A sleek black dress is often encouraged (especially for evening or formal weddings), and ivory or champagne tones can be stunning on mothers as long as they don't overshadow the bride's gown.

The most important tradition to keep? Feeling beautiful, confident and like yourself. Whether you're the mother of the bride or the groom, your outfit should honor the occasion and your own sense of style. Forget the outdated rules this is your moment, too.

Need Help Finding the Perfect Look?

As a personal stylist who specializes in dressing mothers of the bride and groom, I help women find dresses that flatter their body type, fit the formality of the wedding, and reflect their personal style.

To set up your free thirty-minute consultation to learn how virtual styling can help you in your search for the perfect gown.

Looking Back: The Beautiful, Messy Journey of Being a Working Mom, Single Mom and Entrepreneur.

When I look back on my journey as a mom, specifically a single mom, and an entrepreneur; I feel a wave of emotions that's hard to name. I wasn't just working a job; I was building something from scratch while raising two kids. I was chasing dreams and paying bills at the same time. I was in survival mode some days, visionary mode on others and often both before lunch.

From the beginning, I had one clear goal: To raise my kids to be strong enough to go out into the world and truly excel and be able to stand on their own two feet and live meaningful, independently happy lives. That was always the mission. But, even with that kind of purpose, I still sometimes focus on where I failed instead of where I succeeded. It's like my brain has a highlighter just for the moments I wish I could redo.

I remember how my kids could tell when I was about to lose it because I'd start lecturing myself through clenched teeth.  It makes us laugh now, but I know when they were younger, it was probably confusing or even a little scary. I was trying so hard to stay in control, to hold the line, and to carry all the weight without letting it crush any of us. 

I also tried to get along with their dad. Truly, I did try. I know I picked some of those fights. At the time, they felt like righteous battles. I believed I was standing up for myself and for my kids.  I now understand that a lot of those things I had held onto, I probably could've let them go. I see the value of peace over being right, but it took time and experience to learn that.

 I'm incredibly lucky, I'm close with both my son and my daughter. We made it through those hard, growing years and now I get to see the adults they've become. They're strong, kind, and capable people - that's a win!

I'm also blessed with a bigger, blended family now. In this new season, I feel a deep desire to get it right again; to love well, to lead and to be present in a way that honors all we've been through. 

Being a bonus mom is one of the most meaningful and delicate roles I've ever stepped into. I don't take lightly the trust it takes for a child to open their heart to someone new, and my hope is always to earn that trust through love, consistency, and respect. I want to be the kind of stepmom who brings comfort and support.  I deeply honor the family they had before ours came together. I know I'm not here to replace anyone, but rather to add to the love they already have and to help create a home where all parts of their story are valued and respected. At the end of the day, love is the most important part of being a family; even in the chaos and in the grind of learning and growing.  You don't have to be a perfect parent, just a present one. Keep showing up and keep loving hard, the rest works itself out.