How Real Moms Helped Add a Special Touch to the Wedding Day

Many brides featured in the pages of Inside Weddings and on InsideWeddings.com express that they couldn't get through wedding planning without their mothers, and we love when moms go one step further and add a special element to the nuptials that's more tangible than helping pick the color of the linens or suggesting their favorite flower be used in the centerpieces. We're sharing the stories of four real brides who had their mothers (and grandmothers) play a very special role in the wedding. Read on below and gather ideas for your own special day.

Handmade Escort Cards

When choosing the escort cards for her nuptials, Ashleigh wanted her mom to be involved. "My mom is extremely crafty and would always make me special, unique gifts growing up, so it was important to me to incorporate a custom piece by her," she explains. Each guest received a place card featuring a unique butterfly appliqué, which was handmade by the mother of the bride. The special touch ended up transforming the look of the escort card table, making the display even more whimsical and romantic.

Homemade Favorites

For her bridal shower, Alyssa's mother decided to add a personalized touch to the menu. Instead of catering all of the fare, she made her famous egg salad tea sandwiches for her daughter's tea party-inspired shower. "Sharing the day with my friends, mom, and sister, and knowing how much thought and effort went into the planning, is something that I will always treasure," shares Alyssa.

Designing & Illustrating Paper Goods

Samantha's mother Betsy has always been an artist – she studied art in college, taught it, and helped her three daughters with many school projects as they were growing up. When it was time for Samantha to get married, her mom designed and illustrated all of the paper goods, including the save the date and wedding map in the invitation suite. "My mom’s hand-drawn artwork was my favorite thing about my wedding. She has an amazing eye for design, she gets me and my style inside and out, and she brought my vision to life in the most beautiful, thoughtful, and unique ways," she says. "Throughout all the craziness and stress of planning a wedding, I was grateful to turn to my mom to find the beauty in it all through art."

Specialty Wedding Favors

As many grandmothers play an important role in a young girl's life, they can also have a special part in their wedding. Wanting to incorporate something from her grandmother at her celebration, Bentley and her grandma spent a day together, baking her famous dessert to give guests as favors. "My grandma is an unbelievable baker – she has the best pound cake recipe of anyone!" shares the bride. In addition to the sweet treat, Bentley also attached a heartwarming note about her grandmother, which added a sentimental touch to a not-so-typical wedding favor.

For more wedding ideas and advice, discover what planning tasks to give your mom, find out how to make sure your mom likes your wedding dress, and read a heartwarming story of a wedding planned just in time.