Being a maid (or matron!) of honor is a big job, and it starts long before the wedding day—it’s pretty much the minute you’re asked. Don’t stress, as we’ve got you covered with a short list of some major duties you’ll be looking to do before and during the wedding.
Before the Wedding
1. Be a Support System
Being there for the bride is the most important job. Being asked to take on this role means you probably know her the best, so don’t hesitate what kind of help she is looking for you to take on. It might be that she is wanting a lending ear or shoulder to cry on to an assistant for wedding planning. Just be open-minded and also know your limit how much you can take on your plate.
2. Go Wedding Dress Shopping
A big event in the wedding planning process, other than the ceremony itself, is accompanying the bride to dress fittings and helping in finding the perfect dress. Whether it is giving your honest opinion to helping with zipping her up, just being there is enough support. Also, assisting in suggesting and choosing bridesmaid dresses is a key role, so don’t forget to suggest styles for yourself and the others as well!
3. Plan the Bachelorette Party
Work with the rest of the bridesmaids to put together a party that the bride will never forget. Aim and plan for things you know the bride will love an enjoy, and don’t feel pressured to create an event for social media. Keeping the bride’s personality in mind will create for a more memorable event.
4. Lead the Bridal Party
Taking in as much information on the wedding as possible to help lead the rest of the bridal party is an key duty as the maid of honor. You’ll serve as the point person for any bridesmaid-related questions or concerns—and probably general wedding questions too. So knowing as much as you can will benefit you in making the bride as stress free as possible. Also putting in suggestions with walking aisle order and pairing can be beneficial if your bride asks!
5. Prepare a Speech for the Reception
One of the biggest maid of honor duties is to give a seriously awesome speech at the reception. While some brides might opt to only have family members give speeches, you should always be up to deliver something whether it’s sentimental, funny, or just short and sweet. Just be you and reflect on your friendship and their relationship that you were able to witness!
During the Wedding
1. Provide Assistance in the Bridal Room
Plan to have your make-up and dress ready before the rest of the bridesmaids. This isn’t the most glamorous duty, but the bride and bridesmaids will truly appreciate it. Don’t forget to help in maintaining order for the bridal party and lending a helping hand to the mother of the bride. A final walk-through is just a finishing touch you should be on the lookout for too.
2. Play Host
Helping in hosting with whatever the bride may need plays an important factor in keeping your bride stress-free. You’ll probably be the right-hand-woman and point-of-contact for most the guest and bridal party, and since you’re super-close to the bride, you’ll know what she’ll love.
3. Be the Ceremony & Reception MVP
Keeping the energy up, managing the getting ready portion of the ceremony, and wrangling the bridal party for pictures, are just some of the duties for the ceremony and reception. Holding the bride’s bouquet, the rings, and whatever else makes you the invaluable MVP and MOH.
4. Enjoy Yourself
Savor every moment and don’t forget to have fun too. Enjoy the experience and don’t forget to take care of yourself as much as you are doing in taking care of your best friend. The wedding is a celebration of their relationship but everyone invited usually played some kind of role in the bride and groom getting there.