Top 6 Duties and Responsibilities of a Maid of Honor
Being a maid of honor is such a privilege!
While you may be ecstatic about your new title, you may also find yourself wondering what to do next.
Simply put, the basic role of a maid of honor is to support the bride during the wedding planning and the wedding itself.
Take a look at these 6 duties and responsibilities of a modern day maid of honor and get ready to crush it!
The basic role of a maid of honor is to support the bride during the wedding planning and the wedding itself.
1. Help with wedding planning
As the maid of honor, you will most likely be the go-to person when the bride needs advice or a helping hand. Helping with wedding planning tasks will vary based on every bride's wants and needs and can range from dress shopping, to visiting venues, to putting together centerpieces. Make sure to discuss the level of involvement your bride wants from you, whether it be discussing what she wants from you upfront, or finding out if you need to periodically check on her to find out how you can help.
2. Plan the Bridal Shower and bachelorette party
Generally, the maid of honor or someone else close to the bride is in charge of planning and hosting the bridal shower and/or the bachelorette party. To avoid upsetting anyone, make sure the bride wants you to handle this task and if you do not end up in charge, you can still help as needed. If the bride opens gifts at either event it is a good idea to make a list of who gave what. This will help the bride when she writes her thank-you notes. As always, be mindful of the bride’s wishes and traditions during the planning of any event.
3. Keep Everyone on the Same Page
To minimize stress and important details being overlooked, it is crucial for everyone to be on the same page while planning a wedding. Don’t hesitate to send reminders to the bridal party (or other important people) during the planning process or assist with the wedding day timeline. The maid of honor can also double as a person of contact for important information to help take the load off the bride.
4. Write a speech
It is tradition for the maid of honor to present a speech or a toast at the reception to the bride and groom. It can include a congratulations to the couple, memories you have with them, or a description of what you admire about them. Be yourself with your words and speak from the heart.
5. Make sure the wedding day runs smoothly
Once you’ve made it to the wedding day, there is a lot the maid of honor can do to ensure everything flows as seamlessly as possible.
Keep the bride in good spirits
Make sure the bride gets something to eat
Make sure everyone is sticking to the timeline
Help transfer items to ceremony, reception, or bridal suite
Assist with glam
Deliver gifts and/or letters between the bride and groom
Help the bride bustle her dress for the reception
Hold the brides bouquet at the altar
Assist the bride in the bathroom
Keep everyone in good spirits
6. Be an Emotional Support
Above all, as the maid of honor, it is your job to make sure the bride is as comfortable and happy as possible throughout the whole wedding process. Make sure to occasionally check in and make sure she does not need a lending ear or a helping hand. Offer your assistance throughout her wedding journey and continue to just be yourself - after all, that’s what got you that maid of honor spot in the first place!
