7 Ways You Can Be a Supportive Parent of the Bride or Groom

Here's how you can make their big day even more special.

By: Jen Glantz

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7 Ways You Can Help

It can be thrilling to watch your son or daughter plan their wedding, from them picking their dream venue to selecting all the celebration details. However, it can also be overwhelming — especially if you’re wondering how you can lend more support to your child and their future spouse along the way.

Whether they’ve asked you to do a few things here or there, or you’re eager to offer more of your time and energy, here are seven ways you can be a supportive parent to the bride and groom.

Offer Advice-Free Listening Sessions

When it comes to wedding planning, a couple might feel overwhelmed by all the advice everyone in their life is giving them, from vendors to family members. Rather than offering your own opinions and advice, tell your son or daughter that you’re available for listening sessions.

Get together with them or give them a ring and let them know they can vent about anything they want to you. Tell them upfront that you’re there to listen and will only give advice if they ask for it along the way. This simple act can be a big stress reliever for them.

Think of Unique Skills You Have

While you may be eager to help with the fun wedding planning tasks, from picking decor to choosing invitation styles, your son or daughter might need help in other areas too. Brainstorm unique skills you have that can apply to items on their wedding to-do list.

For example, if you’re good at researching, offer to put together a list of limo companies and how much they’d charge for wedding day transportation. That will save your child hours of work on this task. If you’re great at crafts, offer to put together the centerpieces the week of the wedding at your house, or hotel, so they don’t have to worry about that.

Share That You’re on Standby

Let your son and daughter know that on their wedding day, you will be on stand-by to jump in and help with anything they need. Just you verbally saying this can go a long way, since they may not want to bother you or burden you with tasks on the big day.

Let them know you’ll come prepared with a contact list of their vendors, the wedding timeline, and a bag of emergency items (like toiletries and bandages) in case you need anything last-minute.

Respect Their Decisions and Preferences

As your son or daughter plans their wedding, remember that it might not end up looking like the wedding of your dreams. But that’s okay. It’s their big day and the best thing you can do is respect their decisions and preferences, even if that means your opinions take a backseat.

If they say you can’t invite a handful of your friends or they don’t want to hire the florist that you love, acknowledge that it’s their choice and try not to take it so personally.

Help Them De-Stress During the Overwhelming Times

Getting lost in wedding planning can come with extra stressful moments and a lot of headaches. If you notice that your son or daughter is overwhelmed by the process, offer emotional support and distractions to pull them out of the funk.

Take them out for their favorite meal or to do their favorite activity. Send them a care package in the mail. Offer to help take on some of the stress in any of the ways that they might need you to.

Be Kind to the In-Laws

Whether or not you’re best friends with the future in-laws, try to keep the peace with them during the wedding planning process. Find ways to include them in any of the planning that you’re taking on and keep in touch with them before the wedding to make sure you’re all on the same page.

It will help your son or daughter feel less stressed knowing that you and their future in-laws are building a solid relationship behind the scenes during the wedding planning process.

Offer Actionable Solutions

If your son or daughter comes to you with a problem and asks for your advice, try to bring an actionable solution to the table. Becoming their go-to person for solutions can help them feel like they have a genuine support system during their wedding planning process.

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