It is such an honor being asked to be the maid of honor at a friend’s wedding. What could be more special than watching your bestie tie the knot with the man she loves?! But while the maid of honor title is a coveted one, it also comes with a lot of responsibilities that you might not be aware of.
Have you been crowned the maid of honor for an upcoming wedding? Follow these maid of honor tips to make your best friend’s big day go on without a hitch!
Pre-Wedding Duties:
- Help with the planning. While the wedding planning doesn’t necessarily fall on the MOH, it is always a good idea to offer help with pre-wedding tasks, such as deciding on color schemes, seating charts and more.
- Go dress shopping. Shopping for a wedding dress is so much fun – especially with your best friend by your side! Go to the bridal shops with the bride-to-be to help her find the perfect dress. (And to find the bridesmaids dresses, too!)
- Lead those bridesmaids. As maid of honor, you’re essentially the leader of the bridesmaids. You’re responsible for making sure the bridesmaids make it to dress fittings, help plan and attend the wedding events and more. When something goes wrong or the bride is stressed out, it’s your job to keep everyone in line! (Hint: group email chains will become both your best friend and worst enemy!)
- Spread word about the registry. The registry should be listed on a details card or the wedding website, but be prepared to spread the word about where to shop, too! The MOH will be who people turn to when they have a wedding-related question.
- Host/co-host the pre-wedding events. Pre-wedding event planning can be a lot of work! The mother of the bride will most likely help with the engagement party and bridal shower, but be prepared to throw the bachelorette party! Check out some of our bachelorette party items for inspiration.
- Attend all events. This one should go without saying, but as the MOH you have to be at all wedding-related events! If you don’t make it a priority, who will?
- Be the bride’s rock. A girl’s wedding is supposed to be the most special day of her life. But as anyone who has been through the wedding process knows, sometimes it can be stressful! She chose you as her MOH for a reason, so be a shoulder to cry on, a sounding board when she needs to complain and the best friend you have always been. And maybe keep a wedding survival kit handy – just in case!
Day of Wedding Duties:
- Hold the bouquet and ring. The bride and groom don’t hold anything while they exchange their vows. As the maid of honor, it’s your job to grab the bouquet and rings during this special moment.
- Sign the marriage license. The ceremony is important, but the bride and groom aren’t officially married until the papers are signed. And this requires signatures from witnesses, too. Help your best friend make it official by signing those papers!
- Make a toast. It is customary for both the best man and maid of honor to make a toast to the newlyweds. So come prepared with a heartfelt speech about the bride and groom.
- Dance! Don’t be afraid to be the first one out on the dance floor – someone needs to get the party started! Dance with the best man, father of the bride and of course your girls!
- Be the drink police. Now we’re not suggesting you bum everybody out. Drinking is acceptable, and even encouraged, at weddings! But make sure the bridesmaids and groomsmen keep it under control. The last thing you want is for the bride to be upset because someone got belligerent.
- Make sure the bride gets to enjoy. Everyone wants a minute with the new bride. So much so that often the bride doesn’t get a moment to eat, drink or just enjoy. Pull her away from the distant relatives and friends of the family to give her a few moments to take in the biggest day of her life! She’ll thank you for it.
Are you going to be a maid of honor in an upcoming wedding? Have any maid of honor tips to share? Tell us in the comments below!
Happy Planning!
