The duties and responsibilities of the mother of the bride are varied, sometimes demanding but should be a source of great enjoyment and satisfaction.

The role of the Mother of the bride has, however, undergone something of a change over recent years. With the bride of today being older and usually financially independent - in the majority of cases she will already have her own home, share a home with the groom or at least her own life independent of the family home - and with the increased financial involvement of the groom's parents, the mother of the bride no longer has quite as much clout as she did have in years past.

Which is not to say that her role is not vital. She should work with and - remember this word - support her daughter at all stages of the preparations. Remember that no matter how much the mother of the bride may wish something, if it doesn't match the bride wishes it shouldn't happen.

The preparation for the wedding is a time which is often very trying and difficult; a time when ideas and opinions clash, feelings can be hurt and noses put out of joint.

Help to avoid this by always bearing in mind that your daughter's wedding day and that her wishes must be paramount - think too, that if there's any justice in the world, one day her daughter will do to her what she's doing to you.

For more information on the financial expectations placed on the parents of the bride, click here.

Before the wedding

The things that a bride's mother has to do before the wedding are too varied to go into in this section. For a detailed breakdown, consult our wedding planning guide.

Use it as a basis for planning the organisation strategy with your daughter and the groom's family. Remember that her son's wedding is just as important to her as your daughter's is to you so involve her as much as possible.

On the wedding day

The Mother of the bride travels to the wedding venue with the bridesmaids and is met at the entrance by the usher, who escorts her to her seat. She is the last person to take her seat.

After the ceremony

The brides parents, along with those of the groom and the attendants witness the signing of the registry. When leaving the venue the brides mother walks alongside the grooms father behind the best man and chief bridesmaid

At the reception

The parents of the bride are the official hosts of the reception and the mother of the bride is traditionally the first person to greet the arriving guests in the reception line. During the reception mingle with the guests, thank them for coming, engage and start conversations and generally act as hostess.