Things You Should Know - Stepmother Wedding Etiquette
Stepmother Wedding Etiquette
If you are a bride-to-be and have a stepmother, you may wonder what is the proper stepmother wedding etiquette and how much of a role should she play in your wedding.
The answer is “It depends on how she gets along with your biological mother and how close you are to your stepmother.”
What should the stepmother wear to the wedding? Usually a stepmother dresses like the other guests. However if you want your stepmother to be a part of the wedding she can dress in a style similar to the dress that the other mothers will be wearing, but not the exact dress.
If the birth mother and the stepmother do not get along and the birth mother and her new spouse are sponsoring the reception, conventional etiquette says the stepmother should not attend. However if you want her there, then she should attend but take a back seat to your biological mother and sit with the other guests.
If your father and/or mother have only recently remarried they may be uncomfortable in each other’s presence and we suggest there should be two separate parents tables, both in a place of honor. The same consideration should be given to the groom’s family if the have a similar situation.
Are you wondering about whether or not your stepmother should be in the family pictures? That depends again. Does she get along with your birth mother. If not either take separate pictures or place her at the other side of the shot. Maybe you are lucky and your mother and step mother may have become good friends. That would make your life much easier.
Finding the right role, if any, for your stepmother in your wedding can be a lot easier than you may have thought. Do a web search for “stepmother wedding etiquette” and give her the links.