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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
Comments
One Thing,
You have a couple of options to throw a shower and stay within your budget. First, you can ask other members of the bridal party if they are willing to chip in and work together on the shower. (One bridesmaid can take care of the cake, another one the favors, etc.) Although in the past etiquette dictated it was 'inappropriate' for a family member to throw a shower, this rule is much more relaxed in modern times, so it is acceptable to share duties with a bride's family member who is interested in hosting the shower. There are also many ways to cut costs by going the DIY route. Here are a few articles with cost-cutting do it yourself ideas:
- Free Wedding Shower Games
- Free Printable Bridal Shower Games
- Cheap Unique Bridal Shower Invitations
- Bridal Shower Ideas
You may also want to visit LoveToKnow Party for more ideas. Best of luck!
-- Contributed by: Amy FinleyMy best friend just asked me to be her maid of honor and I couldn't be happier! I am SO excited for her and can't wait to start planning it all!
-- Contributed by: MelissaI have a friend that just asked me to be her maid of honor. I have only known this girl for 3 years. I didn't think we were that close but I do realize she does not have that many girl friends. I told her that I would love to!
The problem I am now facing is that I just went through all of this for my sister. I was my sister's maid of honor as well. My husband is freaking out because we spent ALOT of money on everything for my sister and he does not want to have to do this again!
I have no problem with paying for the dress and even doing a Bachelorette Party. The support and helping out thing is not a problem at all. It is just to pay for another Shower! We will honestly go broke!
I mean I was just asked so I am not sure yet on her mom's plans. I also do not want to seem cheap but we really cannot afford that much more. What do I do?
-- Contributed by: One ThingThis page has been accessed 16,352 times. This page was last modified 16:21, 27 November 2007.
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