What Does a Maid of Honor Do, Exactly?
What Does a Maid of Honor Do, Exactly?
Now that you have said or heard the second most significant "yes" in your life, you must begin organizing the rest of your life. This also applies to your wedding party; in fact, it's probably one of the things you'll want to arrange in advance. You may ask yourself, what precisely does a maid of honor do? There are duties associated with the position, ranging from organizing pre-wedding activities to offering steadfast assistance on the wedding day. We're here to help you understand it, so don't worry!
In addition to providing advice on handling the relationship in the face of possible stress and expectations, this extensive guide attempts to describe the responsibilities of a maid of honor from the very beginning of wedding preparation to the happy conclusion. Continue reading to learn how to have a pleasant and memorable pre-wedding experience, regardless of whether you are the bride or the maid of honor.
What does a maid of honor do before the wedding?
Build a support and encouragement system.
The chosen party must start supporting the bride as soon as you accept or assign them the position of maid of honor. What precisely does that mean? Encourage the bride at every stage while paying attention to her thoughts, worries, and wedding goals. Set limits for this new stage of your friendship because anything more is viewed as going above and beyond!
Assist in the wedding planning when asked.
The maid of honor is one of the most critical people in wedding planning. You can volunteer to see possible locations, shop for wedding gowns, and help with vendor research as the maid of honor. Your participation can help the bride have a more seamless and pleasurable experience.
And don't be scared to ask, brides! You should be OK if your maid of honor knows they can say no without feeling guilty.
Organize and host pre-wedding events.
Pre-wedding activities like the bachelorette party and bridal shower are usually planned and coordinated by the maid of honor. To keep the activities (or parts of them) a surprise and make sure the bride's preferences are taken into account, they will need to include her in the planning process if they do.
Pro tip: Before proceeding, discuss expectations with your bride because some families would rather throw the bridal shower themselves. It's good to check in with the newlyweds to ensure everyone agrees about who plans what, as many conventional aspects of wedding etiquette and planning have evolved in recent years.
And don't worry, if you want to learn more about the duties of each function in the bridal party, we have a ton of information.
Manage Communication
Although the maid of honor performs many duties, overseeing communication is one of their most crucial responsibilities. They serve as the bride's primary contact with the wedding party, informing everyone of critical dates, dress fittings, and other preparations. They will be on the front lines when queries or issues arise, and they might even be in control of deciding how the information is distributed (by email thread as opposed to Facebook groups or Discord).
Everyone can stay on the same page and avoid misunderstandings with effective communication. And no, having an open conversation about how to deal with unforeseen drama and conflicts is not unusual. We even suggest it!
Once the big day has come, here's what the maid of honor is expected to do
Be there for extra emotional support.
Be the bride's emotional rock on the day of the wedding. Maintain her composure and convince her that everything will work out. Manage the bridal party, avoid confrontational family members, and be ready to handle everything that comes your way.
Assist with dressing
The maid of honor can assist the bride with her bouquet, jewelry, veil, train, and anything else that needs to be fixed to ensure she looks her best!
Keep the bridal party organized.
Everyone should understand their responsibilities and deadlines. Tell them where and when to be for the ceremony and pictures, and assist them in getting dressed on time. Keep an extra cell phone charger on hand to ensure you can reach everyone throughout the day.
Hold the bouquet and groom's ring.
Keep the bride's bouquet and the groom's ring close at hand throughout the ceremony in case they are needed. The couple may concentrate on their vows by completing this minor but essential task.
Maid of honor duties after the wedding
Assist with gift management.
Assist the bride and groom with gift management after the wedding, ensuring the gifts reach their designated recipients, particularly if they depart immediately for their honeymoon.
Attend to the bride's dress and personal belongings.
Prepare the bride's stuff for the honeymoon or post-wedding celebrations and help her preserve her wedding gown.
Offer emotional support
Continue to encourage the bride even after the wedding celebration. Your presence can significantly impact this transitional phase, as post-wedding blues can be standard. The pair also has a lot of work ahead of them in organizing logistics and mailing thank-you notes! You could be a good place to vent about ongoing problems.
Our favorite tips for navigating stress and expectations
- From the beginning, establish clear expectations. Talk candidly about your availability as the maid of honor and the bride's expectations. Doing this prevents further misunderstandings, and both parties are guaranteed to agree.
- Make a planning schedule. Create a planning schedule that includes important tasks, due dates, and milestones. This can lessen last-minute stress and organize the bride and maid of honor.
- Assign duties. Ask close friends or other bridesmaids to assist in splitting some of the responsibilities. The bridal party can feel less stressed and more united if they divide the work.
- Effectively communicate. Open and honest communication is the secret to a successful partnership during wedding preparation. Communicate with the bride regularly, and don't be afraid to express your emotions or worries.
- Make time for yourself. Remember to take care of yourself because wedding planning can be very stressful. Take part in relaxing and rejuvenating activities, including yoga, meditation, or hanging out with friends.
More A's to your maid of honor Q's
What are the maid of honor's responsibilities?
It is noteworthy that the particular responsibilities of the maid of honor may differ according to ethnic customs and the bride's preferences. Nevertheless, the fundamental goal never changes: to support, love, and assist the bride in making treasured memories on her big day.
Does the maid of honor walk alone?
The maid of honor typically walks with someone else during the wedding procession. The best man, the groom's counterpart at the wedding party, usually walks down the aisle with her instead. Typically, the best man walks to the right of the maid of honor; however, the two may walk side by side or slightly apart.
Does the maid of honor get the bride a gift?
Indeed, as a sign of affection and support, the maid of honor is expected to present the bride with a gift. Giving the gift is a considerate way to show appreciation for being selected as the maid of honor and to mark the milestone of the wedding.
There is no hard and fast rule regarding the amount to spend on the gift. Depending on the maid of honor's financial situation, her relationship with the bride, and her friends' or family's general gift-giving traditions, the gift's price will change. Don't forget that the gift's significance will always be greater than its cost. If you're concerned about expectations, remember the golden rule: the bride and maid of honor should communicate with each other to clear up any confusion.
How much does it cost to be a maid of honor?
The bride's expectations, the maid of honor's personal preferences, and the wedding's location can all significantly impact the expense of being a maid of honor. The following are some costs that the maid of honor may have to pay:
- Bridesmaid attire
- Accessories and footwear
- Makeup, nails, and hair
- Bachelorette party and bridal shower
- Accommodations and travel
- wedding present
- Contributions to other wedding-related expenses (e.g., group presents, meals during the bachelorette party, etc.)
- Dinner rehearsal
Why should someone say yes to being a maid of honor?
Beyond merely playing a part in the bridal party, accepting the maid of honor position is a significant choice. It's a sincere chance to celebrate a long and meaningful friendship. Accepting this position shows a deep dedication to helping the bride through one of the most important life events.
A person serving as the maid of honor can provide unwavering emotional support by lending a sympathetic ear and a helping hand during the wedding preparations. With the bride and the wedding party, there are many chances to make enduring memories, from the bachelorette party to the bridal shower and dress shopping.
The decision to accept the role of maid of honor is ultimately a declaration of friendship, love, and the desire to make the bride's wedding experience as unforgettable as possible.
Can someone say no to being a maid of honor?
Naturally! There are good reasons why someone close to the bride would think twice about accepting the maid of honor position. Ultimately, availability, energy, and financial resources are the most critical factors.
Bridesmaids must also be a source of great emotional support. Therefore, people who are going through a difficult time in their lives, going through a significant transition, or feeling financially strapped may have to decline the invitation. In addition, friends can volunteer to be bridesmaids instead of maids of honor, which requires less work and is a better fit.
It's a significant commitment, and being aware of your boundaries can help your pal get the maid of honor they require! If declining is the best course of action, offer some adjustments because there might be alternative ways to attend the wedding than the typical guest responsibilities.
Say 'I do' to maid of honor duties.
In addition to supporting the bride on her special day, being a maid of honor is a fantastic opportunity to make lifelong memories with her. You and the bride can enjoy the experience by managing the stress and expectations, communicating clearly, and understanding your duties. Ultimately, it's all about celebrating friendship and love and making memories that will last a lifetime.