Photo: Trystan Photography
If you think you’ll be alone when it comes to getting some of the nitty gritty wedding planning done, think again! It may be likely that you have a squad of best friends who are more than willing to help. You may even be lucky enough to your own mother and the mother of the groom wanting to conquer your wedding to-do list with you. But, if you’re starting to field calls from the mother of the groom, asking you questions about what she can do to help, instead of telling her you’ll let her know when something comes up, prepare yourself now with tasks that she can do. That way, she won’t think that you don’t want her involved and she won’t start doing wedding tasks on her own that you didn’t want her to do at all. To get you started, here is a list of seven duties you can pass along to the mother of the groom.
1. Welcome Bags
You’ll want someone to take on the task of getting welcome bags put together for out of town guests. You can coordinate a theme with her and even let her know the kinds of items you’d like in the bags. Then, as you’re scrambling to do things the last few weeks before the wedding, your mother-in-law-to-be will have the guests’ bags under control.
2. Help With the Seating Chart
This task is super important to get the MOG on board to help out with, especially if she’s inviting a lot of her friends and family members to the wedding. She can provide you with the insight you need to make sure guests are sitting where they’ll feel the most comfortable.
3. Co-Plan the Bridal Shower
Your bridal party will be a special pre-wedding celebration for you and all your girls. If your Maid of Honor or your mother want to plan this, ask if the mother of the groom can be a co-planner too.
4. Help Get RSVPs
Having trouble getting the grooms side of the family to send in their RSVP cards? Sometimes all it takes to know if a guest is coming or not is a quick phone call or text message — which is easy when it comes directly from the mother of the groom.
5. Arrange Transportation
It’s likely this task may fall at the bottom of your list — or even worse, slip your mind. But of course, you’ll need a way to get to the wedding venue and back. The last thing you’ll want to do is ask your guests to call cabs at the end of the reception. Ask the MOG to help set this up once you know logistics for your venue and hotel.
6. Lend a Hand With the Registry
If the MOG has good taste or knows how to decorate well, get her involved with picking out the items you should register for. Besides it checking off something major on your to-do list, it will make her feel like she has an instrumental part in helping you start your lives together.
7. Come With You for a Dress Fitting
It’ll mean the world to your future mother-in-law if you invite her to one of your dress fittings. If you’re nervous to have a lot of people see you in your dress beforehand, make the fitting social media- and picture-free.
See More: What to Do If the Mother of the Groom Is Making Wedding Planning a Nightmare
Jen Glantz is a “Professional Bridesmaid” and the founder of Bridesmaid for Hire. She’s the author of All My Friends Are Engaged and frequently wears old bridesmaid dresses to the grocery store and on first dates.