Mother of the Bride Date??

If you’re allowing her a plus one, which I really don’t see why not if you can afford it, they should be allowed to sit with her. That’s not much of a date if they’re required to sit separately.

I'd just be honest with her you don't want a strange man with you all night. If she has other friends in mind who know other people coming maybe suggest them and that they could sit with who they know?

I’m in the same situation but I am reserving a seat next to my fmil. I think they should be allowed to sit together.

He doesn't have to walk her down the isle, I do think she should be allowed to bring whomever if everyone is given a plus one. That's kind of how it works though with plus one, you don't really get to dictate who their plus one option is..

That’s tricky. I would let them sit together, but wouldn’t have them sit at the front table. I would explain it to ur mom & let her make the decision of what she wants to do.

The way I feel about plus ones is that if you love a person enough for them to be at your wedding..you should give them the option to bring someone.
I think they should be able to sit together as well. He doesn't have to be in the wedding but he should be able to be with your mother in all things that aren't escorting her down the aisle.

I'm baffled at this even being a question, to be honest. It is your mother. If my mother wanted to rent an escort as her date, I would pay for said escort. If there is someone she feels comfortable with and wants to share the experience with, let her. There is nothing that would keep my mother from the front table either, she could show up in a swimsuit and I would label it the mermaid table I understand that weddings are a massive excitement, and we all want everything to be perfect, but it is one day, and the relationship with your mother far outweighs upsetting her over a plus one.

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I have to say I love your response!

Unless it's a wedding with a total of four guests, I think VIPs (like parents, unless there is a history of abuse or something similar, and wedding party members) should always have a "plus-one" if they don't have a SO who is invited by name. It doesn't matter who they want to bring. He doesn't have to be her escort in the processional (but he could be); he can just sit in the seat next to where she will sit after participating in the processional. (SIL's parents are divorced, and not amicably, and neither is in an official relationship, but both were extended plus ones who were welcomed and treated as honored guests because they were his parents' guests.)

I'm having a similar struggle. My mother has not contributed at all to our wedding of fewer than 100 people, is single, but wants to bring her best friend as her "date" who has caused personal issues in the past (and with whom I have not had a relationship in probably 10 years). Two years ago was our first wedding date (we have since postponed twice since Covid) and we've made some changes to our day, including chopping our guest list down. My mother insists that her best friend come as her plus one and insists that she deserves it even though she hasn't contributed in any way to this day. We don't want this friend to come at all, and my mother has been harassing me and my FH incessantly.

I am a mom who lost her husband and father of my children 4 years ago. I recently started dating a man and we've been inseparable for 4 months. We don't live together. My children are all grown and live out of state. My middle daughter is getting married in May. She just informed me that I'm not allowed to bring a plus one to the wedding. It's going to be hard enough knowing that my husband whom I miss every single day (married 25 years) won't be there but to be expected to be alone at this event almost seems unbarable to me. Not to mention, Our side of the family is very small. The wedding guest list is about 56 people. Only 10 will be from our side of the family and that is IF the grandparents are even well enough to travel. She didn't invite aunts, uncles or cousins. So basically, this is HIS wedding. How do I approach the topic about how hurt I am about her decision to not allow me to have an escort to spend this day with?

Came on here to see if I’m overreacting. Daughter gets married next month. RSVPs were due last week. I told her the name of my “& Guest” (her dad and I divorced 7 years ago). She sounded angry (over text…it’s always over text) that she didn’t want a strange man in “her picture”. Told me he will not be in pictures, will not escort me in, and will stay away from her baby. Ok. He is just a date, and was unsure about the baby part as I love her newborn. She’s not met male friend (and is always too busy to allow a visit or join a dinner). Her dad felt the need to text me telling me guest will be removed from wedding and I will be uninvited if I keep it up. After all he’s paying for it, and “it’s more than Ber gown” (which is what I paid for as she told me he would pay for the reception). I’m a professional, I don’t do drugs, I don’t get arrested, I always text and call her to say hi, check on her and the baby, and offer help/lunch/dinner:invitations. I got an invitation to the wedding with “& Guest” and I’m now baffled (and hurt) as to why I can’t bring a guest?