So, does the maid of honor have special responsibilities, or does she just have a fancy title recognizing how close she and the bride are? The answer is yes, she does have specific duties that differentiate her from the bridesmaid duties.
Maid of Honor definition and duties: Along with the Maid of Honor being in charge of planning the bridal shower and bachelorette parties, she usually reserves the title of “best friend,” whether a family member or not. The MOH is there to provide emotional support, lead the other bridesmaids in getting different tasks done, and plan the important pre-wedding events that lead up to the wedding day!
PRE-WEDDING EXPECTATIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Go wedding dress shopping with the bride
- Plan the bridal shower
- Plan the bachelorette party
- Provide emotional support
- Be the point of contact
- Create a wedding day survival kit
- Help choose wedding decor
DAY-OF WEDDING EXPECTATIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Get ready with the bridal party
- Take pictures with the bride
- Communicate with the wedding planner and vendors
- Give a speech
- Keep an eye on unruly guests
- Keep the ring safe until “I do”
- Have fun and dance the night away
So now let’s break down each section so you can get a good look at exactly what is expected of the Maid of Honor, a.k.a the MOH!
Responsibilities During The Wedding Planning Process
The journey leading up to the wedding day is an exhilarating whirlwind of joy and excitement. It’s packed with delightful celebrations, vendor consultations, and of course, plenty of SHOPPING!
The Maid of Honor plays an important role before the wedding is even planned! She’s involved in everything from choosing the perfect bridesmaid dresses to planning the bridal suite decorations.
The MOH is the bride’s right-hand woman, tasked with making sure that all pre-wedding festivities, including the engagement party and rehearsal dinner, reflect the bride’s personality.
Her duties also typically include overseeing the wedding timeline, coordinating with wedding vendors, and even helping select the bride’s wedding gown. If you’re lucky enough to be the head bridesmaid, you’ll be responsible for ensuring that absolutely everything is on point.
Go Wedding Dress Shopping With The Bride
First up on the agenda is wedding dress shopping! Fun, right?
As the Maid of Honor, you’re responsible for making sure the bride looks amazing. That means lending your keen eye and input when shopping for dresses – with the help of the bride’s other close friends and family members, of course.
But your role goes beyond just offering opinions. You’re also there to provide emotional support, manage dress fittings, and maybe even pick out bridesmaids’ dresses so the bride can enjoy the planning process stress-free.
A great MOH doesn’t just say what she thinks. She becomes a beacon of positivity who can keep negative comments at bay and make sure the bride’s wedding vision becomes a reality.
Plan The Bridal Shower
Planning the bridal shower is a key task for the entire bridal party, with the Maid of Honor as the event’s chief organizer. Her role involves leading the planning, coordinating with all the bridesmaids, and ensuring everyone is on the same page. While the bridal shower often includes wedding gifts and a celebration of love and friendship, the MOH can also involve the bride’s mom and grandmother in the planning. This inclusive approach helps in creating a memorable event that reflects the bride’s personality, making it a special part of the wedding festivities.
Plan The Bachelorette Party
Just like the bridal shower, planning the bachelorette party is primarily the MOH’s responsibility. While everyone can chip in, your responsibility as the MOH is to take the lead and make sure the bride’s wishes are front and center.
Your goal is to create a super memorable celebration filled with fun (and maybe even a dance floor)!
Whether you’re planning a night out on the town, a cozy gathering at home, or even a destination wedding-style getaway, your job is to bring together all the events that make the bride-to-be’s last fling before the ring unforgettable.
You’ll have to coordinate with bridal parties, select venues, and even come up with unique ideas like a themed bridal bouquet or special wedding gift to give to the bride.
Provide Emotional Support When Things Get Stressful
This one’s huge. As the MOH, you’re not just a glorified personal planner for wedding events. You’re the bride’s emotional rock. When wedding planning gets intense, she’ll need you more than ever.
Whether she’s fretting over the perfect venue, the guest list, or the hundreds of tiny details involved in the wedding ceremony, make sure you’re always there to reassure her.
Let her know she’s doing an amazing job. Become her confidante, her problem-solver, and if necessary, her voice of reason. Remember, you’re helping to steer the ship toward a beautiful wedding day!
Be The Point Of Contact
As the MOH, you’re the bride’s right-hand woman and primary liaison for all things wedding-related.
When the bride is busy, the task of sharing vital info with bridesmaids, family, or wedding vendors falls to you. This includes everything from confirming bridesmaid dress details to handling wedding invitations and coordinating the wedding weekend schedule.
You are the key communicator who makes sure everyone involved in the wedding – from the bride’s mother to the flower girl – knows their roles and what to expect.
As the go-to person for communication, your job is to keep everything on track so the bride can focus on her special day without any stress.
Create A Wedding Day Survival Kit
A wedding day survival kit is essential for your wedding day, the MOH should put together a small bag with just-in-case items that will help in emergency situations!
Follow the link above to learn which items you should add to your wedding day survival kit!
Every MOH knows that a wedding day survival kit is a must-have. It’s the secret weapon you can use to tackle any unexpected hiccups.
This essential bag should include items for emergency situations – think fashion tape for dress mishaps, safety pins for quick fixes, and if you’re an over-preparer, maybe even a spare wedding ring (just in case)!
You’re the most important maid, and that means you’re also responsible for becoming an emergency kit wizard. Be prepared to handle everything from a torn bride’s train to last-minute bachelorette festivities changes. Pack that kit with care and help the bride-to-be sail smoothly through her big day!
Help Choose Wedding Decor
When it comes to wedding decor, the Maid of Honor’s insights can be invaluable. While the bride might have a clear vision, bringing it to life often takes a second pair of eyes.
This is where you, as the MOH, step in to assist.
You’ll have to help with things like choosing the right ribbon bouquet accents, advising on the wedding reception layout, or helping select the bridal bouquet.
Your role is to support the bride’s decisions. As the bride’s most exclusive maid with a keen eye for detail, your honest and supportive feedback helps her feel confident in her decor choices.
Day-Of Expectations And Responsibilities
If you’ve done your job right, all the planning and excitement will culminate in a totally thrilling time on the big day!
The Maid of Honor’s main job on the day of the wedding is celebrating the bride and ensuring everything runs smoothly.
That doesn’t mean you’ll be able to just kick back and relax, though. You’re the one making sure the bride eats and stays hydrated, the one who handles the bride’s bouquet, and the person who assists with last-minute adjustments as they arise.
Aside from the above, you’ll also be at least partially responsible for making sure the ceremony begins on time. Then there’s the fact you’ll have to deliver the all-important honor speech. It may sound like a lot, but you’ll be glad to have contributed so much to the most important day of your best friend’s life.
Get Ready With The Bridal Party
The wedding day starts with the fun of getting ready with the bride and bridesmaids. This is a time for bonding and excitement just as much as it is about hair and makeup!
As the MOH, you’ll have to make sure everyone’s on schedule. It’s also your job to keep the atmosphere light and joyful so the bride stays relaxed. As both a maid and a coordinator, you’re majorly responsible for orchestrating the most glamorous parts of the day while embracing joy at the same time.
Take Pictures With The Bride
As the MOH, you’ll be front and center in many photos during the wedding. Both with the entire wedding party and exclusively with the bride.
This is your moment to shine alongside her and capture memories that last a lifetime.
Your role is to help the bride choose the best poses and settings so that each photo reflects the essence of the day. This is arguably the most glamorous task of the day, so approach it with enthusiasm and help create those perfect and unforgettable snapshots.
Communicate With Wedding The Planner And Vendors
As we’ve already mentioned, the Maid of Honor steps up to keep the bride stress-free. This means acting as the main point of contact for the wedding planner and vendors.
Instead of directing questions to the bride, they go through you.
When you handle the questions and details, you help the bride enjoy her magical day without worry.
Give A Speech
At the reception, you’ll deliver a speech as the Maid of Honor. Keeping it heartfelt and honest is a great way to share special memories and celebrate the couple’s journey.
Pour your heart into your words. This speech is a symbol of your honor and responsibilities and a chance to express your joy for the happy couple. So, let your emotions flow and make this speech one nobody will ever forget!
Keep An Eye On Unruly Guests
At weddings, it’s inevitable that some guests might be a handful. One of the Maid of Honor’s responsibilities involves subtly managing these situations.
Keep an eye on the wedding guests, especially those known for being a bit unruly.
Try to handle any disturbances discreetly, so the bride and groom can enjoy their celebration without potentially embarrassing distractions.
You might pull someone aside for a quick word to calm things down or create a strategic distraction, but either way, part of your job is to maintain the joy and harmony of the day.
Keep The Wedding Ring Safe Until “I Do”
As the Maid of Honor, safeguarding the wedding ring is another key part of your honor duties. You’re responsible for keeping it secure until it’s time for the ring bearer to bring it down the aisle.
This task symbolizes your trustworthiness and attention to detail. And who better to trust with something so important than the bride’s best friend?
Have Fun And Dance The Night Away!
After all the planning and hard work, the Maid of Honor’s most enjoyable duty is to celebrate the newlyweds.
It’s time to let loose, hit the dance floor, and make sure the bride has the time of her life. Your infectious energy and joy are contagious, and the bride will always remember the support you provided during such a special time.
