Conversations about money can be awkward, but it’s best to get everyone on the same page in terms of family contributions to the big day. Whether you and other people on the bride's side will be paying for all of it, contributing a portion or not contributing at all, it helps to manage expectations by having an honest, up-front dialogue.

If you’ve been dreaming of a black-tie affair but your daughter wants a destination beach wedding, someone is going to be disappointed. A parent trying to force their ideas onto a daughter’s big day is just going to cause arguments and headaches for everyone.

You might assume you know who will be getting an invite to the nuptials, but it’s best to hold off talking about the big day with too many people. While you may want to shout the happy news from the rooftops, implying to someone that they will be invited to the wedding when they may not make the final guest list could cause hurt feelings. Staying tight-lipped could save you from having to be rude later.

Your daughter will most likely lean on you for help because you have years of good advice already on your track record. That means there will be many calls for a second opinion. A mother of the bride should be gentle in offering advice — don’t be too critical of things you know are important to your daughter.

Growing out hair because everyone else is going to wear an updo takes time, as does losing a few pounds to wear that dream dress. These things don’t just happen magically, so long-term goals need to be started early to be achieved by the big day. Be realistic about your goals and start working toward them accordingly.

The last thing you want to do on your daughter’s special day is cause dress drama. Seek her input from the start about what you’ll wear to avoid a fashion faux pas. Make plans for a day of shopping together to make memories and avoid an argument. Even if the dress isn’t exactly what you envisioned, as long as you are comfortable, her vision is what really matters.

A mother of the bride’s dress should probably not be an impulse buy, and it also shouldn’t be a last-minute decision. It’s best to shop around and keep the feel and dress code of the event in mind. Buying a dress too early may only cause regret, but it’s always possible to circle back to an original favorite.

A mother of the bride is not a bridesmaid. Choosing the same color dress as the bridesmaids may be confusing and may not translate well in photos. Choose a color or cut that is complementary to the colors of the bridal party.

Obviously, the mother of your bride's future partner doesn't want to look like your twin, but it will look better if the two of you are on the same page when it comes to the formality of the day and the aesthetics for the wedding.

On top of comparing outfits, you should have a casual conversation about finances, family traditions and more with the other set of parents as well. It will help you navigate the day better and also help you give your daughter the best advice. Just like you, the mother of the groom is navigating her own set of expectations, so any conversation about the ceremony can be a great chance to bond. After all, this is two families coming together.

As the mother of the bride, you’re going to want to help in any way you can — but that’s not realistic. Just saying that you can help in general may get you in over your head, saddled with more tasks than you can handle. Likewise, if you’re too vague, your daughter may assign a task you really wanted someone else to handle. Being specific and setting boundaries will help you maintain a healthy relationship with your daughter through this process.

If you know you are a terrible speller, someone else should probably proofread the invitations. Even if your daughter really needs help making paper flowers, it’s still not a good idea to take that on if you’re a terrible crafter. Find a way to take something else off her plate that is more within your skillset. It will keep stress low for both of you.

Each wedding day is different, so it’s best if you don’t compare your daughter's ceremony and reception to anyone else’s —  a friend’s, a family member’s or even your own. What’s important is that your daughter gets to have the special day she envisioned.

Of course you are excited and want to talk about the wedding, but maybe your daughter wants some of the special details to be a surprise for her guests. The best course of action is to be on the same page with your daughter about what you are allowed to share. Sticking to her wishes is a way to show you respect her relationship boundaries.

The dress may be the biggest wedding detail to your daughter, and she may want to keep it a secret. If you have photos from a fitting on your phone, keep them to yourself unless given explicit permission to share them with others.

Oftentimes the mother of the bride is in on the bridal party glam squad and gets her hair and makeup done. If you are concerned you will not look like yourself on the big day, just be transparent with your makeup artist and bring in pictures of looks you would feel comfortable with.

Even though it’s not your day, you are still one of the stars of the show. If you take on a task to complete on the day of the ceremony, you need to keep it simple and make sure it isn’t going to cause too much stress for you.

This day is a big deal and it should be enjoyed. Let go of any last-minute anxieties about things that could go wrong and celebrate all you’ve done to make the day go right.

Of course, it is a big day for you too — but this is likely the biggest event your daughter will ever throw. If you get wedding day jitters, it’s best to keep your nerves out of the spotlight and instead be a calming force in the moment for your daughter’s sake.

Little tiffs can become big blowups, and big blowups about the wedding can cause lasting problems. Weddings can be stressful, but it is important to keep any problems in perspective so they don’t permanently damage your relationship with your daughter. Not resolving disagreements and holding grudges are both toxic habits that will hurt your relationship.

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