^{Image Courtesy of Ravenberg Photography}

What to Expect (and How to Help) When Your Daughter Says “Yes”

One moment she’s in pigtails running through the backyard—and the next, she’s calling you with the news: “I’m getting married!”
If your heart is full but your head is spinning, you’re not alone.

As a mother of the bride, your role is both beautiful and bittersweet. You’re helping plan the most sacred and joyful day of your daughter’s life—and figuring out how to do that with grace, love, and maybe just a little duct tape and divine patience.

Whether you’ve planned a wedding before or this is your first time navigating the details, here’s what you need to know about being both emotionally and practically present for your daughter’s LDS wedding.

Financial Support: What’s Expected Now?

Traditionally, the bride’s family was expected to foot the bill for most of the wedding. The groom’s family handled the rehearsal dinner and the honeymoon. But let’s be honest—today’s weddings don’t always follow those old rules.

Now, wedding budgets can be more flexible, with both families contributing, or the couple handling much of it on their own. So before the dress fittings and cake tastings start, sit down together and have a loving, realistic conversation.

Talk about:

• What you can comfortably contribute

• Who will cover what

• What the couple’s priorities are

Establishing a clear budget from the beginning sets healthy expectations and keeps the process much more joyful.

Emotional Support: Your Most Important Role

Your daughter may not need you to organize every detail—but she will absolutely need your emotional support.

Planning a wedding—even a temple-worthy, faith-filled one—can be stressful. Between decisions, deadlines, and details, she may feel overwhelmed, anxious, or even discouraged. That’s where you come in.

Be her anchor. Be her listening ear. Offer gentle perspective when she’s in the thick of decision fatigue.

When tensions rise (and yes, they might), remind her:

“This is just one day. The sealing is forever. That’s what really matters.”

Sometimes, the most powerful thing you can say is, “I’m proud of you,” or “You’re doing great.”

Helping Without Hovering

You want to help—but maybe you’re not sure how much is too much. That’s normal.

Here are a few ways to offer help while still giving your daughter space to lead:

• Ask what she’d like help with (shopping, researching, vendor calls)

• Offer to go with her to appointments, if she wants company

• Let her know she can bounce ideas off you any time

• Hold back unsolicited advice unless asked (hard, I know!)

She may not choose the venue you would’ve picked, or the dress you envisioned. But that’s okay. As long as she’s happy—and the temple sealing is happening—everything else is just icing on the (wedding) cake.

It’s Her Day, But You’re Part of It Too

As her mother, you’ve poured so much love into her life already. Now you get to watch her step into a beautiful new chapter—and she’ll never forget the support you gave her along the way.

So take a deep breath. Say a quiet prayer. And know that you’re doing a wonderful job.

You’ve raised a daughter who is ready to be sealed in the House of the Lord. That’s something worth celebrating.

Want More Help Planning With Your Daughter?

I created the Church of Jesus Christ Wedding Planning Program for families just like yours.
Inside, you’ll find:

• Downloadable wedding planning checklists

• A full Mother of the Bride checklist

• Helpful guides on photography, decorating, modest dresses, and more