BRIDES Southern California: 5 Unique Los Angeles Rehearsal Dinner Venues

Photo: Courtesy of The Royce

One of the most important dinners before your milestone wedding weekend happens even before all of the festivities begin. There's no better way to make a first impression, with your personal wedding style, than to take your guests to dine in a one-of-a-kind rehearsal dinner venue. We've gathered a list of LA's most exclusive rehearsal dinner venues, that feature an ambiance like no other.



Photo: Courtesy of Wilshire

1. Wilshire
With a menu developed specifically around organic, local, and peak seasonal ingredients it's no surprise that this experienced group of culinary aficionados has mastered the art of original dishes inspired by diverse farmers markets. The beautifully casual atmosphere of this California venue emits colors of orange and amber through soft candlelight, brick walls, and rich leather couches. Read real brides' reviews here!



Photo: Courtesy of Perch LA

2. Perch
This French inspired rooftop masterpiece engulfs all elements of Southern California with panoramic views of Downtown Los Angeles, and indoor, and outdoor, table seating. Fifteen floors above the bustling city streets, this one-of-a-kind venue comes equip with antique inspired furniture, detailed woodwork and live jazz inspired music.

See More: Amazing Catering Companies in Los Angeles for Your Big Day



Photo: Courtesy of Bouchon

3. Bouchon
Renowned Chef, Thomas Keller, returned to Los Angeles after 20 years to open one of the city's most celebrated eateries located just two blocks from Rodeo Drive. The grandeur of the high-ceiling interior transports guests into a tranquil urban oasis highlighted by design elements of mosaic floors, antique light fixtures, and a pewter bar. An ever-changing seasonal menu keeps things fresh and innovative all year long.



Photo: Courtesy of The Royce

4. The Royce
Featuring only the finest selection of USDA Prime Cuts, Australian Wagyu, and Japanese Kobe Beef, it's safe to say that this acclaimed steakhouse sets the bar high when it comes to Los Angeles cuisine. With breathtaking garden views, a Chef's table experience, and a pre-and post-dinner Red Wine Room, the once-in-a-lifetime possibilities are endless.



Photo: Courtesy of Nobu

5. Nobu
Designed by celebrated architect, David Rockwell, this famed restaurant in West Hollywood has become frequently praised for it's unique atmosphere and world-class cuisine. Separated by three dining spaces, the main dining room (which features a one-of-a-kind sushi bar), the atrium, and the terrace, it's no surprise that this Hollywood hangout has become a major Los Angeles hotspot. Read real brides' reviews here!

24 Wedding Photos That Capture The Special Bond Between Dad And Daughter

The father of the bride plays an important role in the wedding, whether it’s walking his daughter down the aisle, busting a move at the reception or simply supporting her as she takes the next big step in life.

With Father’s Day on Sunday, we’ve rounded up 24 heartwarming images filled with love, laughs and happy tears too.

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Joe Dantone Photography

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Jennifer Tai Photo Artistry

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Kristi Odom Photography

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Emily Sacco Photography

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Therese Winberg Photography

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Bonnallie Brodeur Photographers via Love Inc.

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Alicia Q Photography

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Jonas Seaman Photography

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Carlos Perez Photography

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Jason Marino of Imagine Photography

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Arte De Vie

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Del Sol Photography

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Isabelle Selby Photography

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L and L Style Photo

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Jono and Laynie Co. via Love Inc.

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Brandon Wong Photography

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Leslie Barbaro Photography

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Alea Lovely

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Del Sol Photography

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Telethia Hurley and Omar Ramos of Hurley and Ramos Photography

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Del Sol Photography

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Rob Greer Photography

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Jill Tiongco Photography

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Scobey Photography

9 Things Every Father of the Bride Thinks

Your father has rejoiced in every other milestone in your life … first smile, first steps, first day of school, and now he's expected to just give you away?! Color palettes and escort cards may not pique his interest, but you can bet your wedding's got him thinking!

Photography by: Aaron Delesie

1. Time flies.

He remembers the day he and your mom brought you home from the hospital, a little thing all swaddled in pink. He's so proud of the woman you've become, but he can't quite believe you're about to become a Mrs.

2. She'll always be my little girl.

It killed him when you started dating in high school, so on the one hand he's relieved that part of your life is over, but you're still his little girl. Sure, you've grown a bunch, but fundamentally you are still you, and your relationship will always be special.

3. He better take good care of her.

No matter how much your father likes your fiancé, he will always be the person who raised you. Even though he gets that a modern marriage involves taking care of each other, he can't help being a protective dad about wanting his little girl to be safe and happy.

4. Let's sort out who's paying for what.

Very traditionally speaking, weddings are paid for by the bride's family, specifically by the father of the bride, so even if you and your fiancé decide to finance the entire celebration yourself, your dad will want to know what part(s) of the wedding he's covering.

5. The dress costs how much?!

It's practically your dad's job to be shocked at how much you will spend (regardless of the dollar amount) on a dress you'll most likely wear only once. Don't worry, though, cost won't be on his mind when he walks you (in your dream gown) down the aisle.

6. Time to figure out my speech.

Whether his style is off the cuff or carefully composed, your father will give some thought to his speech. He'll aim for the perfect blend of humor and sentimentality that will communicate just how much you (and his new son-in-law) mean to him.

7. Will I keep it together?

Guys never cry, right? Wrong. Seeing you in your dress for the first time, walking you down the aisle, lifting your veil, recounting a touching tale from when you were a kid during his toast … it's hard to remain completely dry-eyed in the face of so many emotional moments!

8. Can't wait to dance with her at the wedding!

You won't be standing on his freshly polished oxfords like you did when you were six, but he's still psyched to spin you round the dance floor.

9. She's always been beautiful, but wow!

He's your dad. To him you look great in sweats and a quick ponytail. When he sees you all dressed up and ready to say "I do," he will be completely blown away (potentially speechless) at what an incredibly gorgeous bride you are.

Can Your Mom Be a Bridesmaid?

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Photo: Getty Images
 

She'll be by your side as you're planning, be the first to tear up when you find THE dress, and have a seat of honor at the ceremony. But what if you feel like your mom deserves more recognition than that, and you want her standing by your side during your wedding? Our experts weigh in on whether to make mom a bridesmaid.

It's unconventional, but there's nothing to stop you from asking your mother to be a bridesmaid in addition to her role as mother of the bride. In fact, if you're planning on asking her to join the bridal party, you may want to make her your matron of honor, or ask her to share the duties with your closest friend, to really acknowledge the role she's played in your life.


If you do ask your mom to join your bridesmaids, think about how you'd like her to be involved (as well as what you think she'll be excited about and comfortable with). Chances are she'll jump at the chance to help plan your bridal shower and bustle your dress before the reception, but consider whether the bachelorette party you've dreamed of is one she'd like to attend. She may want to treat her matron of honor status as more of a celebratory title than her role in the wedding (since being the MOB comes with its own list of to-dos) and skip the hen 'do, or she might want to be there for all the festivities.

Either way, be sure to discuss what you've got in mind, as well as what her expectations are, up front: You might want to redistribute some of the matron of honor duties to other bridesmaids to make sure there isn't too much on your mom's plate. That way you won't be disappointed if she's less involved than you'd hoped — or surprised when mom's buying a round of shots at the bachelorette party!

Warning: 5 Things the Mother of the Bride Should Never Say to the Bride

Photo: Getty Images
 
Your little girl is all grown up — now she's engaged and planning her wedding! As the mother of the bride, you'll wear a number of different hats — confidante, friend, sounding board, voice of reason, and sometimes banker. Although, this is an exciting time it can be overwhelmingly stressful, so the trick is figuring out which hat your daughter wants you to wear at a given time — remembering when she's acting irrational, that your job is to stay collected.
 
Brides can be sensitive creatures, and comments that might not normally bother her, may light a fuse. You know what triggers your daughter, but it's wrong to push her buttons when she's already feeling emotionally-charged.

It's easy to lose your temper when your adult daughter is being completely unreasonable, but try your best not to use any of the following five phrases:

1. "Don't be such a Bridezilla."
Unless you're on a reality TV show, this is the ultimate insult to a bride. Nobody wants to be thought of as a high-strung, demanding, and selfish bride. Choose your words wisely when confronting your emotional daughter about her behavior.

2. "I don't know why you didn't just elope."
Ouch! Although you may be trying to say that you feel left out of the decision-making process — the bride is hearing you say that you didn't care if you were present to see her exchange vows. This isn't nice to say to someone who has taken the time to involve family, friends and has chosen to include her loved ones on her marriage day.


3. "Fine. Do what you like and pay for it yourself."
If you've offered to pay for something, accept that you're going to have to compromise to make sure your daughter achieves the vision she wants — while you get the quality and price you're comfortable with. Threatening to withhold funds you've already promised will only stress her out and make things more acrimonious between you two.

4. "Your father will never agree to that."
Try not to drag her father into the disagreement unless you absolutely have to. If you do — have him tell your daughter what he thinks — rather than you play messenger. You're her mother and you don't need to hide behind her father to put your foot down. If you're the one who disagrees with her, own it.

5. "The world does not revolve around you because you're getting married."
Theoretically, she knows that already, but depending on how self-involved she is — and how crazy her life has gotten since she got engaged — it may truly feel like she is the center of the universe. When you say this to her, you're telling her that you're not on her team, even though you really are. Try to use supportive phrases even when you're being the voice of reason.

4 Signs Your Parents Are Ruining Your Relationship

Photo: Getty Images
 
Your parents have always wanted the best for you, and they certainly do for your marriage, too. But unfortunately, even the best intentions can have unpleasant consequences. Here are four times your parents might accidentally be ruining your relationship, and how to deal.

They're intrusive.
You gave them a key to your house for emergencies — but in the last two weeks, they've dropped over four times, bypassing the front door in favor of letting themselves in through the back to deliver baked goods or simply shoot the breeze. While it's nice to be close to your family, allowing them to get too close can actually impede on your alone time and put a wedge between you and your spouse. It's time to nicely ask them to call before they come by. "You've imposed a boundary, so they may limit their gifts or [affection] since they don't have the control they thought they had," says April Masini, relationship expert. "But that's okay — and it's a transition into your marriage."

They treat you like babies.
Before you got married, you may have turned to Mom and Dad for advice on everything from selecting a home mortgage to what to wear to your friend's wedding. The residual effect, however, might be that your parents aren't ready to let you make your own decisions — even with your spouse. "Thank your parents for their love and support, and ask that you be the one to carry the ball forward," suggest Masini. "In other words, give them the clear message that you've got this one. Tell them that you know you're going to make mistakes in life — hopefully very few and small ones — and move forward on your own, as a new couple."


They set a bad example for you.
Whether your parents long ago split or they remain together but you often spot them fighting dirty or unwilling to compromise, their bad habits may be eking into your otherwise good marriage. If you catch yourself name-calling just like Mom and Dad do, it might be time to step back and say, "It doesn't work for them — and I'm not going to let that happen to me."

They ignore your rules for your children.
As new grandparents, your Mom and Dad are eager to soak up as much time with the tots as possible — and impart their child-rearing wisdom, of course. Recommendations are always welcome, but ignoring your rules for your kids can ignite fights between you and your spouse, who may feel your authority as parents is being challenged. Tell your parents that "you're pretty sure that they can help," says Masini, "but ask them to let go of their expectations and focus instead on yours." In other words, she says, "you're telling them thank you — and it's time for them to cut the cord. You can't say the latter phrase — but it's what you're saying in more polite words."

5 Ways to Honor Your Dad at Your Wedding

We’re heading into Father’s Day weekend, so we can’t think of a better time to acknowledge all of the dads out there. Fathers have traditionally played an important role in weddings, from footing some (or all) of the bill, to giving the bride away, to toasting the happy couple at the reception. Sometimes, they’re even the groom! Whatever the case, they deserve our appreciation and recognition for all they do.

Here are five of our favorite ways to honor your dad(s) on the wedding day:

1. Borrow something from him as your “something old.” Traditionally, brides borrow jewelry from female relatives for this tradition, but there’s no rule saying that brides and grooms can’t borrow something from their fathers instead. You can just as easily secure your dad’s favorite tie pin to your bouquet as you could a cameo, for example, or grooms can carry or wear a favorite watch.

2. Let him choose the father-daughter dance song. This dance is often emotional for both the father and bride, and allowing your dad to choose the song can make it more so. But if your dad isn’t the sentimental type, that’s okay too. Just let him pick the song that he thinks best represents the two of you. For a fun touch, let him surprise you with it!

3. Give him a gift. This is a tried and true way to thank anyone important to you at your wedding. Consider giving your father an embroidered handkerchief, special cufflinks reading “Father of the Bride” or “Father of the Groom,” or a framed photo of the two of you, maybe one that includes a picture of you when you were younger and one left open to be filled with a photo from the wedding day.

4. Spend a few minutes together before the ceremony. Often, the wedding day flies by so quickly that you don’t get to say or do the things you planned. Arrange for five minutes alone with your father. You could even have it be a “first sighting” photo where he first sees you in your wedding attire. Then take those five minutes with him and tell him how thankful you are that he’s there to celebrate with you.

5. Write a poem or speech for him. If your father doesn’t mind having attention focused on him, take time during the reception to give a toast or speech in his honor. For the creative types out there, writing a song or poem dedicated to him is also a lovely touch.

5 Things Every Mother of the Bride Should Do on the Wedding Day

Photo: Abby Jiu
 

The second most important woman at a wedding is the Mother of the Bride. No, seriously, she is also a "guest of honor" and that's why she sits in the key seat in the front row on the left side of the aisle. But along with the honor comes responsibility. After all, whether you've paid for it or not, everyone treats the parents of the bride like the hosts of the wedding reception. Before you get to bask in the glory, you have to be prepared to do the following five things.

1. Manage the family.
If you know that certain relatives get on your daughter's nerves, don't insist she include them in everything on the wedding day. She needs some time and space to get ready without any drama or stress. Be the bouncer on your daughter's bridal suite and keep the wolves at bay until after she's gone down the aisle.

2. Marshall the boys.
That includes your husband if you're married to the bride's father. And even if you're divorced, as long as things aren't acrimonious, try to keep him on schedule too. Work with the groom's mother to make sure all the gentlemen will be dressed and ready to go at the appointed time so that the bride doesn't have to worry about it.


3. Be sure the bridal party is eating.
They're going to be drinking (champagne or some other concoction) and it's easy for them to get tipsy on empty stomachs. Not cute on the wedding day before the ceremony. Plan ahead with your daughter to have food and soft beverages available for the ladies so that they can have something in their tummies.

4. Have your own act together.
Don't bring two dresses and ask the bride to choose for you at the last minute, she doesn't need that additional mental challenge. The biggest gift you can give her is to be easy, organized and ready so that if she needs extra hands or help, you're already dressed to go and you can be there to help your daughter.

5. Be the voice of reason.
If something goes wrong, stay calm as you try to correct it. Things go wrong and as the mother of the bride, some of it will come to your attention. The problem is there are some things that might not be able to be fixed — such as the florist delivering the wrong flowers just before the ceremony. Instead of getting upset about it with your daughter, tell her how unimportant the detail is in the grand scope of things and how you'll laugh about it later. Minimize problems and help her focus on the good things happening around her.

The most important thing a mother of the bride can do on her daughter's wedding day is to just be there for her, completely and selflessly. You're her mom, and she needs you.

Bride Tells Off Parents In Amazing ‘F*ck You’ Non-Invitation To Wedding (Photo)

A bride-to-be uninvited her parents to her wedding and did not mince words while doing so.
The bride sent a classy-looking invitation to her parents telling them they are not welcome at her wedding ceremony.
She then posted the note to Reddit. The bride wrote,

So my narcissistic parents abused me for 16 years before I ran away from home. Now they’re trying to bully their way (via family, they haven’t bothered to speak to me personally) into getting an invitation to my wedding. There was really only one way to respond.

The bride’s response is full of hate and vitriol for her parents, but based on her description, it seems they deserve it.
Here’s the harsh letter; note the fancy cardstock it was printed on:

---

That’s one badass bride.

4 Things All Parents Love at Weddings

Photo: Getty Images
 
Not that your wedding day should be about pleasing your parents or his, but why not include a few elements within your ceremony or at the reception that they're bound to love as well? It's the least you can do if they're footing the bill, and if they're not and your budget can afford it, it's a great way to keep the peace and say thank you for all that they've done for you over the years. We consulted a few wedding planners to find out what things pretty much all parents seem to want at their kid's wedding.

1. Seated Dinners
If there's one thing wedding planner Tracie Domino has picked up on throughout her career it's that parents really dig sit-down dinners. "They have a tough time with food stations and lounge style seating without assigning every guest a specific table," she notes. "They get concerned that guests will want their own spot and won't be able to eat in a cocktail environment." However, once the couple is able to convince them that this is what they prefer, and they select menu items that don't need to be cut with a knife, parents actually enjoy this style of reception a lot, as they get to spend more time with all of their friends, she says.

2. Their Friends
Speaking of friends, parents love to invite their own BFFs to your big day. Think about it, isn't any party more fun when you have your closest pals by your side? Your parents are proud of you, plus it's a big moment for them too, which they're dying to share with their friends. Now, we're not saying you should let them go crazy with the invites if your budget doesn't allow, but do let them request the presence of a few of their friends, especially if they're ponying up the money.


3. Some Recognition
What's a mother of the groom got to do to get some recognition (ahem, attention) around here!? But seriously, according to wedding planner Sandy Malone, owner of Weddings in Vieques, the MOG is usually worried about the bar (even if her side isn't paying for it, tradition says they do so she doesn't want people to think they're cheap), the rehearsal dinner (if she's planning it) and making sure that she has a starring role at some point during the evening. "Most MOGs are perfectly content to have a few moments doing a mother-son dance with all eyes and cameras on them," tells Malone. Dads, on the other hand, enjoy the father-daughter dance but not nearly as much as walking their "little girl" down the aisle. Nowadays, Stefanie Cove, Managing Partner at Yifat Oren & Associates, says it's not unusual to see brides ask both parents to give her away. "Mothers seem very touched by the gesture and honored for the special moment."

4. Live Music
Unless your parents are hitting the club on the reg, chances are, the dopest DJ in town will always pale in comparison to that lovely five-piece band they're just itching to book. If it means that much to them and they insist on forking over the money to cover the added cost though, why not compromise and have both?

4 Things You and Your Parents Will (Probably) Disagree on While Wedding Planning

Photo: Getty Images

 
Ahh ... compromise. It's a word that all happy couples understand well, but when it comes to wedding planning, often it's not with each other that they have to compromise, but with their parents.
Regardless of where you and your parents may fall on the Bridezilla/Momzilla scale, there will be times when you won't things see eye to eye. We asked wedding planners Amy Katz, founder of Amy Katz Events and Nicolle Sellers, principal planner at Mother of the Bride, to share the most common planning disagreements they encounter and offer their wise advise on how to resolve them.


1. The Guest List
Parents don't want to feel limited in how many people they can invite to the wedding, says Katz. "This becomes an especially sticky subject if they also happen to be footing the bill." The key to navigating the issue is to be respectful of feelings at all times. "Don't yell or fight," warns Katz. "Instead, sit down together and make a joint list of who the most important people are to the families and how realistic it is to accommodate everyone given the venue and budget. Any reasonable parent will understand that they shouldn't invite 10 work clients that have never even met the couple if that means the bride's college roommates would need to be cut."


2. The Invitation Wording
Invitations might look pretty and pristine, but they can be the source of a lot of tension. "Sometimes if the bride's family is paying for the entire wedding, they can get adamant that the groom's parents' names not be anywhere on the invitation," explains Katz. Unfortunately, this may cause the groom to feel slighted and starting off a marriage with a bride vs. groom family feud is never a good idea. "There are ways to list names in order on the invitation that makes it clear who is the host," Katz says. "Your best bet is to have your wedding planner — an expert who has dealt with this before and can bring an impartial view to the situation."



3. The Open Bar
"A lot of disagreements between the couple and their parents come down to the bar," says Sellers. "Whether it's because they want guests to drink responsibly or because it's such a large line item on the budget, many parents want to cap how long the open bar lasts, whereas the couple may want it to go all night." An easy fix? "Split the cost of the bar," suggests Sellers.


4. The More Traditional Aspects of a Wedding
Keep in mind that norms have changed a lot in the past 30 to 50 years, when your parents had their wedding, says Katz. "For example, now couples don't think twice about having a dessert bar or a coffee bar, but when the parents were getting married, the proper thing to do was to have coffee service at the table. Both sides need to compromise a little if they're getting worked up over these types of details."


Another traditional part of the wedding that many parents find important but couples find less so is having a receiving line. "Parents see the receiving line as an opportunity for the couple to thank people who have traveled to see them and brought them a gift," says Sellers. If you have a lot of older relatives who are attending your wedding, Sellers recommends that couples compromise on this to avoid any hurt feelings. "But if a receiving line is not possible because of time or space constraints, then couples should specifically make a point to greet and thank their guests individually."

Groom And His Dying Mom Share Last Dance 72 Hours Before Her Death

Just three days before she died of breast cancer, Mary Ann Manning summoned the strength to share one last dance with her son Ryan at his wedding.

Ryan and Katelyn Manning of San Francisco tied the knot at the St. Regis in Dana Point, California earlier this month. At the reception, he and his mother danced to Israel Kaʻanoʻi Kamakawiwoʻole's "Somewhere Over The Rainbow" medley -- an amazing accomplishment given that she began using a wheelchair months before the wedding.

"It was incredibly emotional, especially to see her pop out of the wheelchair," daughter Karie Chamberlain told KTVU. "For the days leading up to it, we were helping her do everything -- even walk."

The groom told KTVU how much he admired his mother's determination. Mary Ann's kids believe she was living for the wedding -- she died exactly 72 hours after the ceremony began.

"There is absolutely no doubt that that woman, a very strong woman, fought incredibly hard to get to that point," he said, holding back tears.

4 Times It's Okay to Say "No" to Your Parents While Wedding Planning

Photo: Getty Images

 

Times have changed — your moms didn't get to plan their own weddings, their moms made all the big decisions. Nowadays, brides and grooms are picking up the bulk of the tab and they want to make the choices for themselves. Having a wedding in your hometown makes it really hard to fight your mother on venue, flowers, and even hotel selection for your guests. You have to learn to say "no." Be nice about it and find a way to include the mother of the bride or mother of the groom if she really wants to help, but you must stand firm about your choices. Here are the four things most likely things you'll have to say "no" to your parents about:


1. The guest list
You want "x" number of guests total, but your parents have more than "x" on their own lists. Let them know they're not obligated to invite every friend who ever invited them to their child's wedding and give them a set number of invites they're allowed to extend.


2. The ceremony plan
Maybe one of you was raised Jewish or Catholic and your parents are insistent that you have a religious ceremony even though neither of you are religious and don't attend church or a synagogue together. A non-denominational minister is very common and you can insert whatever religious influences you want in your ceremony. This is a decision made by you and your future husband — not your parents.



3. Your wedding dress
It's possible your mother doesn't agree with your choice to go strapless or wear a non-white gown. You have to love your dress. And unless mom and dad are picking up the entire tab for the gown, you can tell them thank you but no thank you.


4. Your reception music
Parents are often concerned there won't be enough music for their "older" friends to enjoy at the reception. You can be nice about it and include some of their musical selections during dinner, but when it comes to first dance and party music, it's your choice.

7 Things Every Mother of the Bride Should Do

Photo: Christian Oth Studio


Some mothers of the bride are hyper involved in helping plan their daughter's wedding day, while other MOBs prefer to take a back seat. No matter which category your mom falls into, there are certain duties she is traditionally responsible for handling.

We consulted some top wedding planners to learn the ultimate mother-of-the-bride must-dos, plus asked them about some sweet nontraditional ways moms can lend a hand.

1. Shopping Support
Traditionally, mothers accompany their daughters in their search for a wedding dress, there to simply share in the joy and provide loving and honest feedback. Mom's far away? Email dress ideas back and forth or schedule a dress-shopping visit.

2. Researching Traditions and Finding Family Heirlooms
It typically falls on your mom to uncover religious or cultural traditions you — or your groom's family — might want to incorporate in the ceremony. She will also help you find the "something old" or "something borrowed," such as a stunning piece of jewelry that's been in your family for generations.

3. Go-To Contact
Your mom should be the one whose name you give to the caterers, florist, planners, entertainers, and venue to field questions and help coordinate. (Whew!) As celeb wedding planner Colin Cowie suggests, "Set your mom up for success with a list of creative contacts and a message book solely for your wedding day."


4. Playing Host
From the moment guests begin to arrive in town through the end of the ceremony, the mother of the bride is the official hostess, helping each guest feel welcome. According to Diann Valentine, event maven who has planned weddings for Usher and Toni Braxton, "Receiving lines are not as customary, so making point to greet or visit with each guest is important." Additionally, Valentine suggests that the mother of the bride host a dinner party for the groom's family or an afternoon tea for just the ladies of both families. "This goes a long way to help them welcome her into their family with open arms."

5. Communicating Outfit Choice with Your Groom's Mom
According to Colin Cowie, "Etiquette dictates that your mother follows your lead as to the color and formality of the dress she picks. The bride's mom buys her gown before the mother of the groom, and, once chosen, calls the groom's mother to describe her dress."

6. Day-of Dressing Assistance
"Helping the bride into her dress and placing the veil is, and will always remain, such a sweet, time-honored tradition," says Lynn Easton, owner of Easton Events in Charleston, SC, and Charlottesville, VA.

7. Second Dance
After you and your groom perform your first dance, then it's time for your mom and your dad (or whomever accompanies her), to take a spin. After all, your mom deserves her moment to shine, too!
No matter what, your mom will be there to help support you in whatever you need. There may be tension — between you and your mom or your family and your groom's — but it will pass. Emotions will be high, but your mom's there to be your rock — and your realist. Remember: She always has your best interests in mind.

10 Things a Mother of the Bride Should Never Do Under Any Circumstances

Photo: New Line/Courtesy Neal Peters Collection


Sandy Malone, star of TLC's Wedding Island, is the owner of Weddings in Vieques, a destination-wedding planning company off the coast of Puerto Rico. Here, the pro-planner is dishing some of her expert advice for free. The topic? Her top ten don'ts for mothers of the bride.


1. Never be late. We've had the MOB show up after the welcome party ended (and she was staying at the venue where the party was held). Worse, another MOB was so far behind schedule on the wedding day that she caused the bride to go down the aisle 45 minutes late. That means the bride lost a chunk of her reception party time.


2. Don't try to steal the show or the photographer. Stay off the center of the dance floor after too many cocktails, and don't take the photogs away from shooting the wedding for your own personal picture requests. It's not your day.


3. If you didn't help plan the wedding, don't try to change any details on the big day. The planners are following a strict schedule and décor plan that the bride pre-approved.



4. Don't get drunk at the wedding events. It's fine to celebrate, but remember that everybody has video on their cameras now.


5. Don't wear white, ivory, or champagne — or any other color you wouldn't have wanted your own mother to wear on your wedding day.


6. Don't try to match the bridesmaids or the wedding party unless your daughter has specifically requested it. You're not a member of the bridal party, you're the mother of the bride and you should stand out as such, in an appropriate dress.


7. Don't flirt with the staff. More than one inebriated MOB has glued herself to my husband or another unfortunate male staff member at weddings I've planned. We're working and you're embarrassing the bride.



8. Never forget that you're a parent, not "one of the kids." Behave like an adult and resist the urge to plunge into the swimming pool when the drunk 20-somethings make the splash.


9. Regardless of how you feel about your daughter's new spouse, do not express displeasure with the groom or his family during the wedding weekend. You never know who can hear what you're saying, so be careful if you are complaining to friends or the wedding planner. There are other guests all around you who may repeat what they overhear you say.


10. Never refer to your daughter's big day as "our" wedding. It's not your wedding — the day belongs solely to your daughter and her soon-to-be spouse. If you keep this one in mind, it might help you avoid the first nine things "thou shalt not do" at her wedding.

How I Proposed Marriage -- To Her Dad

 

 

 

 

This article was originally published on HowHeAsked.com -– a site dedicated to all things engagement.

You would think asking a father for his daughter's hand in marriage would be all about the dad. And for the most part, it is. But my process was much more about making sure my future wife had no idea I ever asked. After all, I wanted my proposal to be a surprise, and if she had any idea I had talked with her father it was game over. This meant taking a risk: Asking her dad while she knew I had one-on-one time with him.


Maybe I should back up in the story so you can understand why I knew the gamble would work.
Unlike many guys, I had a competitive advantage: I knew her father wanted me to ask him about marrying his daughter. I knew it the moment I asked him if it was OK for his daughter to move in with me while we were still just dating. That moment was not met with so much approval, and for reasons that are completely understood.


My father-in-law is old school, so moving in was a big deal. People will say all the time, "They don't make people like Melvin anymore." (I would argue they also don't name people Melvin any more. Coincidence? Maybe so.)


And it's true; they don't. Melvin is good down to the soul. He treats people the right way. A happy guy living in a small town; I'm pretty sure he still believes that a good handshake and a big smile can cure all ills.


Asking if his baby girl could move in with me before marriage? I think that only made him feel ill.
So I knew he had been waiting. And hoping. And probably praying that I would ask him one day soon. This is the same guy who once said, "No one will buy the cow if you give away the milk for free." And when you've written a New York Times best seller that includes the words "Have More Sex" on the cover, let's just say it's easy to think that I'm a man who's a big fan of dairy.

 
My plan was different than most: I was going to surprise my father-in-law and do it in a way that my wife would never know. I asked when we were both at my in-laws. I had known for months that I was going to marry Rach. In fact, I planned out my proposal about six months before. All part of making sure she had no idea it was going to happen. But asking her dad? That had to wait until I was closer to the act.


I knew we had a trip to her parents coming up. And it was there, in his home -- on his turf (an important factor) -- that I wanted to ask the second most important question of my life. To me, it was all about his comfort... and Rachel having no idea what was happening.


The setup was simple: I was going to take the family out for a big meal on me. That meant Rach had to shower. She takes long showers. I figure I had about 30 minutes, which was more than enough time to do what needed to be done. It also meant there was no way she would ever think I'd ask her dad while we were both in her home. (Who does that?)


I sat Melvin down in his favorite big comfy chair. He loves that chair. In fact, I can picture him printing off this story and reading this very article sitting that same chair. Shaking his fist and asking his wife in the other room, "Faye do you think I'm 'old school?'"


Once he was in the position, I told him a story that I had never mentioned to him before: It was about the first time I knew I was in love with his daughter.


For me, marriage wasn't about asking him for his daughter's hand. This was man-to-man; me showing him who I was and why there was no need to ask. I was going to marry his daughter, but I wanted him to feel great about it and be a part of it.


So I did the hardest thing for any man: I let myself become vulnerable. I put down my guard, let him walk inside my heart, see the way I felt about Rach, and then I looked him in the eyes and said two things:


1. I will take care of your daughter forever.

2. I'd be honored to be a part of your family.

With that, I told him that I'd like to make both of these things possible by marrying his daughter. Then came the question. What do you think?


There was no gamesmanship. Melvin had a huge smile. He stood up and gave me a bear hug. He couldn't have been more thrilled.

And me, I was in the clear. Rach didn't pop out of the shower for another 15 minutes and by then the emotion had been locked up and then all that was left was one thing: Making sure no one ruined the surprise.








The writer, Adam Bornstein, is a New York Times best selling author and the founder of Born Fitness. Named "one of the most influential people in health and fitness, you can read more from him at www.bornfitness.com or interact with him (and receive virtual high-fives) on Twitter (@BornFitness).

Cancer-Stricken Dad Walks 11-Year-Old Down The 'Aisle' Because He Won't Be There For The Real Thing

Josie Metz's father won't be there to walk her down the aisle on her wedding day. But thanks to California photographer Lindsey Villatoro, the 11-year-old was able to experience what it might be like anyway.

Her father, Jim, 62, had already been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer when he and his wife, Grace, hired Villatoro -- a mother, photographer and founder of Love Song Photography based in Menifee, Calif. Two years ago, Villatoro began offering photography sessions for terminal clients or clients with serious illnesses to document their journeys and was referred to the Metz family.
"I try to really showcase the person for who they are and not the illness," she told The Huffington Post during a phone conversation Tuesday afternoon.

Villatoro went to Jim and Grace's home for a shoot and offered to do one with their young daughter, Josie. After she left, she posted about the family on her website to get gift donations for the girl to help make her last birthday with her father a memorable one. But she decided to take the surprise one step further and dreamed up the idea of a wedding for the girl -- complete with flowers, desserts, a promise ring and a dress from L.A. Fashion Week -- so that her father could walk her down the aisle.










"I met Josie [the day of the wedding]," Villatoro said. "She was a little bit overwhelmed when her mom picked her up from school and told her. She just needed a moment. Later, she said, 'This is the best day of my life.' She was very glad and excited to have these moments."


The wedding came together and Villatoro captured it on camera and created a video titled "Walk me down the Aisle Daddy."


The full meaning of the special day was felt by all. The story of the wedding went viral and was covered by local network KTLA as well as the Daily Mail.


"They want to get his story out, to let people know Jim and to feel a part of his family," Villatoro told HuffPost. "There is going to come a day very soon when he's not here. So for everyone to see those moments inside their family and connect with them is a really big thing for them. They feel very blessed ... The goal when I do these things is to preserve that person. Most people focus on the death and not the beauty of that person, who they were and the memories that they leave."