Getting Ready - Mother of the Groom Wants to See Bride Before Ceremony

I would ask her what she's expecting for the day for her. Maybe she wants to be with her son, which would make more sense.

View Quoted Comment This, or you could tell her that you’re concerned- 2 hours is a long time to sit around out there and you don’t want her to get bored, she’ll have a long night of fun still to go!

I think it would be fair to tell her you want to limit who sees you before the ceremony. Maybe se could arrive around 3 to greet anybody who got there early and/ or hang out with the groom and his side?

Does it bother you who sees you before? I invited and paid for my MIL to get ready with me, my mother and my MOH and bridesmaid! It was lovely. She got to go out and spend time with and see her son as well before she went back to her hotel to get dressed. My FIL came in the morning to help us and then went back to get dressed so she went back also. We did a first look and did a bunch of family photos before the ceremony so a lot of our family came early and I didn't really care who saw me at that point. We all just hung out before the other guests arrived.

Maybe she wants to see her son. Are you guys close? She might want to get to know you better also

We invited my daughter's FMIL to get ready with all of us so she would feel included in the day (especially because she only has sons and will never have that mother/daughter moment). She was very appreciative!

My MIL (who only had boys) got ready with us - it was a great time.

View Quoted Comment She caught me off guard - because her son will be with his groomsmen. It seems a little odd they are getting ready while his mom is there.

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That's a good idea! That's kind of hinting at her I am not going to be able to entertain her

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I think that's the plan. We are going to tell her she is welcome to come to the venue at any time, however, she is not going to see me prior to the ceremony.

My FH can figure out if he wants her around when he is taking the groomsmen's photos. It just seems a little odd to picture a mom standing there watching the groom and groomsmen getting ready.

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It does bother me. I intentionally didn't tell her where and when I am getting my hair and makeup done. I have two moms helping me get ready already, adding more seems like asking for drama, and I can't behave comfortably with her around.

I think we are close, she will stop by my house unannounced to hang out and say hi sometimes. Although recently I noticed she has been very passive-aggressive throughout this planning process (asked to help, and cried to others about how stressed we made her - well we didn't need help). I think she is nice, but unintentionally attracts drama, so I am keeping my distance.

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That's a good point! I didn't think of that. Although the ship has sailed. She wanted to get ready with her husband's daughter because the daughter asked my FMIL to get ready with her.

She is actually going to be dressed and ready before I even get my makeup done.

View Quoted Comment My husband is an only child. My MIL will never have that mother/ daughter moment so I had my MIL get ready with me as well! We all sat in the brides suite together and laughed and talked and played music while we got our hair/makeup done! I loved having her there. And my husband loved having his parents hang out before he got ready. It allowed him to spend time with his family too