Maid of Honor Duties

From LoveToKnow Weddings

Don't take your maid of honor duties lightly. If you’re chosen to be maid of honor, you must be a special person in the bride’s life. It not only means the bride trusts you to handle many responsibilities, but it also means she’s asking you to stand up for her on her most important day. Perhaps you’re unsure of what this title entails, what follows in an outline of maid of honor duties.

The maid of honor is often an official witness.

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Shopping

The bride will no doubt ask you to go shopping for her wedding dress and to assist in choosing the bridesmaid dresses. It will be up to you to give an honest opinion as she trusts you to help her look her very best.

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Shower

It is up to you to make sure the wedding shower is coordinated. You don’t necessarily have to host one, but if a family member such as a sister or cousin doesn’t take the initiative, it will be up to you or another member of the bridal party to step up..

The maid of honor will help organize the opening of the gifts at the bridal shower. You or a designated bridesmaid will be handing them to the bride and helping to whisk away the wrappings. The maid of honor should also make sure there is someone available to make a note of each gift – being sure to mark down the gift giver’s name after each item.

Thank you cards are also on the list of maid of honor duties. If the bride needs help writing thank you’s for the shower gifts, you should be available to help.

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Wedding Invitations and Favors

If the bride is having a large wedding, she may need help writing out the invitations or stamping the envelopes. The maid of honor and other members of the bridal party should make themselves available for this task.

If wedding favors are to be assembled, the maid of honor will be put to work helping the bride.

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Maid of Honor Duties on The Big Day

This is the day when there’s a long list of maid of honor duties. You’re expected to be at the bride’s house early to help her dress, and if needed, assist her with hair and makeup. If she will be going to the hairdresser prior to getting dressed, it’s the maid of honor who is expected to drive her.

Helping with the dress.

It is the maid of honor who is to carry the ring intended for the groom and the maid of honor will make sure the bride looks her very best at all times. This includes straightening her train and veil as often as necessary so it looks perfect in wedding photographs. You will also hold the brides wedding bouquet as she and her groom recite their vows.

The maid of honor will walk down the aisle on the arm of the best man at the end of the ceremony and stand up for the bride by witnessing the wedding. You will also be expected to appear in numerous wedding photographs. If there is a receiving line, you will be expected to greet the guests.

After photographs are taken, the bride will probably need help bustling her gown. For this reason it would be a good idea for you to have attended the bride’s final fitting. The alteration’s expert can give you a run-through on how the bustle works.

At the reception, you will be expected to have at least one dance with the best man and perhaps even make a speech. You’ll also be expected to sit at the main table with the newlyweds. Of course, none of these tasks are unpleasant so it will be no problem to handle them in a gracious manner.

The bride no doubt chose you as her maid of honor because she entrusts you with these responsibilities. You’re there to support her and help her to remain calm and organized. You must be a very special person!

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Maggie - First, don't panic! You should speak from your heart, with love and affection for your sister and her husband to be. You can find great tips in these articles: Maid of Honor Speech, Maid of Honor Sister Speeches, Wedding Speeches. You might even consider writing the speech and asking an English teacher for advice on it, if you're uncertain about it. You'll do fine, and I'm sure your sister will love whatever you say!

-- Contributed by: Melissa Mayntz

Freaking Out - Presumably when your best friend from college asked you to serve in this role, she understands that you won't be able to coordinate every local detail because of the distance. You may be expected to get to the wedding a few days early to help out with last-minute preparation, but other than that you shouldn't feel too obligated. If she is very demanding on your time or budget, you will need to have a heart-to-heart to let her know just what you can and can't do from your location.

-- Contributed by: Melissa Mayntz

I am my sister's MOH. She expects me to write a speech for the reception, which I understand, but there will be 350+ people there! I'm only 16! what should i do?

-- Contributed by: Maggie

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