WATCH: All About the Mother of the Bride (& Groom)

If you're a mom and worried that you don't know how to get involved in your daughter's (or son's) wedding tune into this week's episode of From "I Will" to "I Do" where we're going to talk about tasks that are perfect for mom, how to look fabulous, and above all avoid wedding-planning stress.

This week we're talking to Anja Winikka of the knot, Mark Ingram of New York City's Mark Ingram Atelier and Xochitl Gonzalex, a wedding and event designer and planner with Aab Creates.

My Mother Is Paying for My Flowers but I’d Rather Use Some of That Money on Other Details. How Can I Get Her to Listen?

If you’ve spoken to her calmly and explained how you see the money being spent and she still won’t listen you may have to do some behind the scenes trickery to make your wish come true.

You can explain to her that if she pays the florist in cash she could save some money and then take the cash to the florist, keeping some for other areas of the wedding. 

If the florist is friendly and mom is with you maybe the florist will work with you on pretending the bill is more and giving you back a “refund.” Though I can hear the shock of me suggesting this as I type.

Remember that when money is involved there are usually some strings attached.  The best route would be to talk to mom, get dad, grandma or a sibling involved in the conversation too to help bring her around. 

If she just won’t budge then I’m sorry but you’ll have to find the money elsewhere.

My Mother-in-Law Keeps Mentioning I Can’t Wear Strapless for the Ceremony, But the Church Hasn’t Said Anything. What Do I Wear?

I would check with both your officant and the wedding manager at the church (person you booked the wedding through) to find out what the policy is. Some houses of worship have strict policies on how much skin you can bare -- shoulders covered, capped sleeves, sleeves to the elbow, sleeves to the wrist. You don’t want to show up on your wedding day and be turned away...it could happen.

If you’d prefer to show more skin than the venue allows, talk to the bridal salon where you bought your dress about cover-up options for the ceremony -- options that can be easily removed for formal photos and the reception.

As for your mother-in-law: If it turns out the church doesn’t have as strict a policy as she does/wishes, it’s your wedding so wear what you want to wear and don't talk about your wedding dress in front of her. On the big day she'll be too busy greeting her guests that she probably won't notice or mention your neckline.

My Mother is Insisting on Wearing Black But I Want the Bridal Party and Immediate Family in a Color, What Should I Do?

You should talk to your mom and explain why you want everyone in a color and then suggest you go shopping together. Take her to several stores -- some she has been to before and some she hasn’t.

Department stores offer personal shopping services at no additional charge. You may want to make an appointment so a stylist can help her find a dress in a color that you both agree on.

But take her concerns seriously. Remember that your wedding day is a big day for her too. She is playing hostess and should feel comfortable and beautiful.

If in the end she won’t budge, not even to gray or navy, then you might have to suck it up and let her wear black. But maybe the style of the dress will be something you can put your stamp of approval on.

My Mom Wants Me to Hire a Talented, But Not My Style, Florist. How Do I Tell Her No?

I think you should meet with the florist your mom suggests and bring her your ideas to see what she comes up with and what her budget is. Then take your mom with you to meet with two or three vendors whose style is similar to your own.

It’s important that your mom feels that she is part of the process, especially if she’s paying for your wedding. Remember that your wedding day is just as important to her as it is to you.

Once you’ve met with all the possible florists sit down with your mom and go over what each one proposes aesthetically as well as their budget. Review with her why you like or don’t like each one and you may be able to convince her to support your choice of florist.

As the bride you can put your foot down but if mom’s writing the checks this may not go over well. Instead of starting World War III see if you can compromise and hire her florist for another event such as the bridal shower or rehearsal dinner.

And you never know, in the end you may decide that mom’s florist wasn’t such a bad option after all.

How Should We Coordinate the Mother of the Bride and Groom’s Attire?

Once you have determined the formality of your wedding and have chosen the color or color range you want your bridal party in -- your parents are part of the bridal party -- you should talk to both your mom and the groom’s mother about their attire.

The formality of your wedding will dictate the formality of their dresses, specifically the length. A black-tie wedding requires a floor-length gown. Also, the formality of the wedding may dictate the type of fabric and look of a dress.

As the mother of the bride and host of the wedding, your mom gets first dibs on the dress re: color and style. She may want to chose a color and the groom’s color may need to avoid that color, unless you tell everyone to wear the same hue.

Don’t be afraid to take your mom and his mom shopping -- together or separately depending on geography, scheduling and the relationship.

Be clear as to what shouldn’t be worn. If the church requires arms to be covered make sure everyone knows.

If you’re not clear on what is and isn’t appropriate you risk not just bad wedding photos but an embarrassing moment or making someone close to you feel very uncomfortable.

Should Mom Carry Flowers?

Your parents are considered part of the bridal party, especially if they are in the processional. You can have both of your parents give you away, or an usher or groomsman can escort mom to her seat.

Since your bridesmaids will be carrying bouquets and the flower girl will carry a basket of petals, why not give the moms blooms to carry too.

The traditional style for mom is the corsage -- just like the kind you wore to your prom. A corsage comes in two styles: pinned and wristlet. The pinned kind will make a permanent hole in your mom's beautiful gown, and the wristlet can be itchy and get in the way when eating and dancing.

If you want mom to have flowers I recommend having a small bouquet, or posy, made for each mom. The flowers should be made up of the same color and blooms that are in your bouquet and the bridesmaids', and should match dad's or her escort's boutonniere.

When Your Mother Wants the Wedding Dress You Don't

It may happen.  Sometimes a bride has a vision of her wedding dress and the one her mom envisions for her is much different.  You would think that the bride will win, and I hope she does, but sometimes getting the dress of your dreams can be an uphill battle.

Make mom happy by going wedding dress shopping with her and try on the style that she thinks is best for you -- you may be surprised that mom was right -- but if you still hate the style point out to her why you don't like it, and mom may agree with you once she's see you in a few different dresses.

Always remember that your mother has thought of this day probably since she was pregnant with you and is just as excited as you are that you're getting married.  Indulge her a little and while I'm not saying that you get the dress she wants for you over your own opinion, I am saying to take her with you and let her know that her opinion does matter to you.

And when it comes to other details of the wedding, if there's something mom really wants and you don't really care one way or another, go with mom's idea simply because she's your mother and it will make her happy.  She may back off another area of the wedding that really does matter to you.

Your Mom Has Been Dreaming of Your Wedding Longer Than You Have

If you’re a basketball fan you probably just learned that LeBron James has decided to go to the Miami Heat.

Now to be honest, I don’t really care except that Dave would have liked it if he came to NY, but LeBron said something in the interview this evening that caught my attention.

He said he had a conversation with his mom this morning and that talk helped him confirm his decision to go to Miami.

You know your mom has been dreaming of your wedding since you were born. I know as soon as I learned we were having a girl I started thinking of her wedding. And when Dave danced around the apartment with her at three months old I thought of the father-daughter dance they would share one day.

I know I work in weddings so it’s weddings all the time by me, but it’s important that you realize how much this day means to your parents. So when you are planning your wedding include them in the planning process. Ask them for their opinions. Ask them to join you when you meet with vendors. Don’t just include them in discussions on money.

Trust me, you’ll have a much better planning process and wonderful memories from this time if you do.

And by the way, his mom has been thinking of her son’s wedding since he was a baby too so don’t forget to include your future mother-in-law in some of the plans.