Weddings are lifetime dreams of every woman. Some men also dream of being involved in one, though, the extent and magnitude is not that great compared to girls' longing for it.
Because weddings are ceremonies that have evolved through the years to emerge as formal occasions, a lot of symbolic gestures and actions are required from the participants. From the bride to the groom, to the maid of honor and best man, Western culture has come up with universal wedding etiquette for every person in every wedding.
This article will inform and acquaint you to the minimal responsibilities given to the groom's parents in every wedding. You will be surprised that the role of the groom's parents are nothing much and intense compared to the role provided to other participants in the wedding.
Role of the Groom's Parents
The groom's parents are often fall at a loss when asked about the role they will be playing in the wedding of their beloved son. In movies and in real life, it is always assumed that parents of the bride get more emotional during weddings.
The assumption is true and is a well-accepted fact. However, the groom's parents should not be seen as parents who should not be shedding tears during weddings. Of course, they should also. It is because they are also sending their beloved offspring or son away.
The groom's parents will surely not be familiar of their role in their son's wedding, especially if they had not participated previously in a wedding for a daughter, another son or other siblings. Here are some points and tips for the groom's parents who wish to accomplish their role in the wedding well and with flying colors:
o The first wedding etiquette to be followed by the groom's parents is to initiate contact and communication with the bride's family. Introducing themselves to the bride's parents is the groom's parents' first and utmost responsibility. It would be a really, really great gesture to start up good relations between the two families.
o It is a role of the groom's parents, as written in wedding etiquettes, to host and pay for the wedding rehearsal dinner. The event should not necessarily be expensive. Simple salad potlucks or simple dinners can do. The groom's parents should also not hold back if they want to impress the bride's family by throwing out elaborate or exotic dinners in the finest restaurants.
o To get along with customary wedding etiquettes, the groom's parents can also participate in the planning stage of the wedding. However, the role is almost always limited to just providing timely, appropriate and accurate guest list. The groom's family and relatives should not be overlooked at this very important event.
Wedding etiquette for groom's parents during the wedding
The father of the groom's responsibilities during weddings are often overlooked. It is because they are just always tasked to escorting the mother of the groom, and that role is still conditional if they are in good relations---that is, they are not divorced.
The groom's mother can be busier. Women are very particular to dresses and that is where the groom's mom should first strike.
The groom's mom should leave the role of dealing for the bride's dress to the bride's mom. She should also not mind the dresses for the maid of honor or bridesmaids. The groom's mom should only compliment the gowns to be worn by the bride's mom and bridesmaids, not overdo or outdo them.
The groom's parents are expected to follow customs and traditions during wedding ceremonies. They will be led by ushers as where they should be seated in the wedding venue.
Other important roles for the groom's parents
It can be funny, but in the Western or modern culture, the groom's parents are mainly involved just in funding or shouldering wedding-related bills.
Among the other things the groom's parents should pay for are the bride's wedding ring, the clergy fees in the church, transportation expenses of groom's men, gifts or tokens for groom's men as well as lodging costs if necessary, gift for the bride and the bouquets, boutonnieres and corsages.
Wedding ceremonies are just that---ceremonies. The marriage will not principally depend on the wedding, but a good one will make a good start for the couple. The groom's parents should be as supportive as ever for their beloved son is embarking on a new life.
Wedding Etiquette For Groom's Parents
Centuries or decades ago, husbands and wives are stuck to each other for life, in sickness and in health. But nowadays, everything has changed. Most of the parents now are divorced by the time the marriage reaches its tenth year.
That is why modern weddings are further complicated with the emergence of stepmothers. Yes, almost every bride or groom in town has a stepmother.
But the problem is, how are stepmothers dealt with during weddings. From this cue, let us focus on stepmothers.
Stepmothers are usually portrayed as wicked and evil, just in the case of Snow White and Cinderella. But in reality, stepmothers are also human. Most of them are really kind and good-hearted, and some are even better, when it comes to the personality department, than real mothers.
Being a Stepmother
If you are a stepmother, the simplest and most basic ethic you should adopt when your step daughter or step son gets married is to take the back seat.
The principal and most basic issue that hounds stepmothers during step daughter's or step son's weddings is the attire. Focus on that, and be amazed at how every issue and dispute is covered by the issue on attire.
Traditionally, during weddings, it is the bride's mom that decides on everything. The first and basic concern for each wedding is the wedding gown. Biological mothers have all the right to intervene and decide on that.
Take not that in adherence to traditional and appropriate wedding etiquettes, the groom's mom, the bridesmaids and the maid of honor will have to take the fashion cue from the bride's mother.
In other words, the bride should stand out in the wedding. Her mom will have to stand out next to her. No one ever will have or be given the chance to steal their thunders.
It is in this part that the stepmother takes the backseat. To be nice and courteous, just adhere and agree to the bride's mom' fashion statement. If you are a stepmother, your attire during the wedding should never outdo that of the bride or that of the bride's mother.
Doing otherwise will divert attention from the two stars of the moment to you. And that will lead to serious encounters and problems. Do not spoil your step daughter's or step son's wedding just so you can stick out and flash your unique and sensible fashion statement.
Your attire should only be complimentary, in style and in color, to those of the bride's, the mom's, the maid of honor's and the bridesmaids.
Stepmothers during the wedding
The stepmother's sacrifice in the attire department does not stop there. Most stepmothers should be canonized as saints especially if they patiently survive step son's or step daughter's wedding.
In throwing up receptions, stepmothers' attires should still be underdog compared to the bride's and the mom's. Take note, adhere to this wedding etiquette even if you husband pays for the entire wedding. You will not want to arouse his ex-wife's temper. For sure.
During the ceremony, the stepmother, with her dress-down attire, does not normally sit beside the bride's or groom's father. It is still the biological mother that has the right. Stepmothers are usually seated two to three rows back of the groom's or bride's parents.
In several cases, wedding organizers not only advise stepmothers to tone down their attire, they also advise stepmothers to seat where the original wife could not see them. This is to avoid two moms from throwing cake at each other.
If you are a stepmother and you are of the same age, or younger than, as the bride, do not, repeat, do not attend the wedding. You might attract scandals. If you have been the cause of the break up between the bride's or groom's mom and husband, the warnings should be utmost and more emphasized to you.
It is hard to be a stepmother, right? But understanding your position and living it out with utmost fashion and grace will help you outshine the occasion, even if you do not need it. You are not on the losing side. Besides, you have your loving husband with you-the proof and trophy for you being the winner!
Control Of Soil Erosion The bigger plants that have greater roots can hold the soil in place and will also absorb water that may have otherwise washed away valuable nutrients. Large plants also provide shade as well as shelter from winds and are vital to avoiding erosion by wind