Randi Latzman

What is the perfect gift for the mother of the groom? And who traditionally gives a gift to the groom’s mom?  These are two of the most troubling wedding questions since they are not discussed much. 

Who Gives A Gift to the Groom’s Mother?

To start, the gift can come from different people, depending on the occasion and the relationship:

• The Bride and Groom – Traditionally, the couple gives gifts to both sets of parents as a gesture of appreciation for their love, support, and help with the wedding. Obviously that gets complicated when the parents are divorced, when step-parents are involved and a myriad of other things. But traditionally, the bride and groom do give something to the moms.
• The Groom – Some grooms choose to give their mother a personal gift, either on their own or as part of the couple’s gift. This can be a deeply sentimental gesture. It’s definitely big “brownie points”.
• The Bride – In some cases, the bride may give a special gift to the mother of the groom as a way to express gratitude and strengthen their bond. Though this is most appropriate when the bride and the mother have been friends for a while and have a deep connection. This is not necessarily the way to go about creating a deep connection.

What Do You Gift The Mother of the Groom?

This gift isn’t to celebrate the wedding or the mother’s role in the wedding (as you may have read). This is the thank you for all the trials and tribulations of Motherhood that got the groom to the alter. Motherhood isn’t easy and there are no perfect mothers. But there is also no instruction manual. The only thing that is certain is the love.

Therefore this gift to the mother of the groom needs to reflect that depth. Some ideas.

1. Personalized Jewelry – A necklace or bracelet with an engraving, such as the wedding date, or a piece that symbolizes her relationship with her son, can be a meaningful gift. There are many on Etsy.

2. Keepsake Box  – A beautiful wooden box with her name or a meaningful quote engraved on it. It could be used to store precious memories, like photos or mementos from the wedding.

3. Meaningful Words– A heartfelt, personal letter or poem expressing is a nice touch. But if you aren’t comfortable with that, a book of poems celebrating Motherhood is great as well.

4. Memory Book – A scrapbook with photos, memories, and stories of her son’s life and their relationship. You can include notes from the bride or other family members as well.

5. Personalized Photo Frame – A frame with a cherished photo of the groom and his mother, or even a photo from the wedding, with an engraving on the frame.

6. Spa Day or Experience – A relaxing experience to show appreciation for her. A gift card for a spa day, a massage, or a weekend getaway could be a wonderful way for her to unwind after all the wedding planning.

7. Custom Family Portrait – Commission a painting or illustration of the family or just the mother and son. It’s a unique, thoughtful piece of art that can hold sentimental value.

Would you like suggestions for a specific style of gift, or any particular details you’d like to incorporate into the gift?