Congratulations on saying the magical “I Do”! Your journey toward that joyous day, brimming with love, laughter, and the unwavering support of friends and family, has officially begun. Now, let’s talk about choosing your ride-or-die, your partner in crime—the Maid of Honor. It’s more than just a title; this person becomes your go-to, secret keeper, and your wedding squad’s MVP. It’s like picking your wedding superhero – someone who gets your vibe and is ready to navigate the twists and turns of wedding planning, supporting you every step of the way and taking on some crucial responsibilities.
Drawing from the insights of Charlotte Ricard-Quesada, the founder of the wedding planner team La Fête, let’s explore the significance of the maid of honor and look at the list of modern duties she embraces to ensure your wedding day unfolds seamlessly.
MEET THE EXPERT
La Fête is an award-winning luxury planning and design agency based in the UK. Established in 2016 with a multicultural foundation, the company and its team have consistently pushed the boundaries of conventional events and aesthetics. Through collaborations with industry leaders, they bring your vision to life.
The Founder and Creative Director of La Fête, Charlotte Ricard-Quesada, had a successful decade-long career in luxury fashion, working with esteemed brands like Dior and Tom Ford. She then built her own company, driving her passion for weddings and events. The company earned several industry accolades, including the prestigious Best Wedding Planner UK award in 2022.
Who Is the Maid of Honor?
Traditionally, the maid of honor is the bride’s sister, a close female family member, or her bestie. However, in modern times, brides can choose whomever they please, be it their mom, a soul sister, or even a male best friend. The key is to designate this role to the person closest to your heart, your cheerleader and ninja organizer, standing by you through thick and thin – the one who’ll proudly carry the MOH title on your big day.
What Are the Maid of Honor Duties Before the Wedding?
As we already mentioned, before the big day, the maid of honor takes on a range of important responsibilities to ensure a smooth and memorable wedding journey. As each wedding is unique, it may involve specific requirements. It is good to start by discussing the level of involvement and support upfront. But as an approximate guideline, check these essential duties:
1) Emotional Support
One of the primary roles of the maid of honor is to be a steadfast source of emotional support for the bride during the wedding planning process. It involves being a sounding board for ideas, offering a listening ear, giving advice, and, most importantly, being a calming presence. When the wedding craziness hits, she offers a shoulder and keeps you sane. She’s the one who’ll say, “You got this, girl!” when the nerves start kicking in.
2) Coordinate Bridesmaids
First, get to know the bridesmaids. Then, assist them in coordinating activities and tasks, ensuring everyone is on the same page and ready for the big day. If there’s someone you haven’t met yet, break the ice and introduce yourself. And keep all of them in touch.
3) Bridal Shower & Bachelorette Party Planning
Take the lead in organizing the bridal shower and bachelorette party, coordinating details such as a suitable date, invitations, venue, and activities, and keeping everyone’s budgets in mind. Collaborate with other bridesmaids to create a memorable celebration for the bride and, of course, consider the bride’s preferences and ensure a fun and enjoyable experience for all.
4) Be Smart About Content
Create a shared hashtag for the pre-wedding events and the wedding itself and set up a group chat or folder to collect all the photos in one spot, allowing the bride to fully immerse herself in the moments of the days without any worries about capturing them. Then, send her a link that will make her smile.
5) Dress Shopping Assistance
Dress shopping for the wedding is a highly anticipated and exciting event throughout the entire journey. It is almost certain that a bride will need a second opinion on various wedding gowns. Therefore, accompany the bride in choosing THE dress, offering feedback and support during the selection process. Help coordinate fittings and alterations as necessary. A maid of honor can be the go-to fashion guru during this unique experience.
6) General Wedding Preparations
Assist the bride with various wedding-related tasks, such as addressing invitations, assembling wedding favors, and managing RSVPs.
7) Ceremony Rehearsal Participation
Attend and actively participate in the wedding ceremony rehearsal, ensuring everyone knows their roles and responsibilities.
8) Communication Hub
Soak in all the wedding details you can and act as the go-between for the bride and other members of the bridal party. This helps streamline communication and saves the bride a ton of time.
9) Offer Honest Advice
In a world filled with wedding trends and Pinterest overload, the maid of honor becomes the voice of reason. She keeps the bride grounded, providing advice as objectively as possible, ensuring the wedding stays authentic to the bride’s vision.
10) Gift and Card Management
Stay on top of the gifts received at pre-wedding events and assist the bride in sending thank-you cards.
11) Write Your Reception Speech
The maid of honor traditionally delivers a heartfelt speech or toast during the reception, sharing anecdotes (avoid embarrassment!) and well wishes for the couple’s future. Begin brainstorming ideas early and then take a few weeks before the big day to finesse it and ensure a meaningful and well-delivered toast.
12) Other Special Requests
Be prepared to fulfill any additional requests or tasks that the bride may need assistance with leading up to the wedding day.
What Are the Maid of Honor Duties on the Wedding Day?
1) Emergency Kit Preparation
Carry a wedding day emergency kit containing essential items like safety pins, tissues, hair ties, an extra pair of tights, and any other necessities that might be needed.
2) Bridal Party Coordination
Ensure the bridal party is organized and aware of their roles and responsibilities. Coordinate with other members to ensure everyone is ready for their respective tasks.
3) Pre-Ceremony Assistance
Before helping the bride get dressed, ensure her gown, shoes, and accessories are laid out for the day. Assist with any last-minute preparations or adjustments.
4) Ceremony Responsibilities
Stand by the bride’s side during the ceremony, holding her bouquet and offering emotional support. Adjust the bride’s veil and train as needed. Sign the marriage license as a legal witness, if required.
5) Crisis Management
Be prepared to handle any unexpected issues or emergencies, providing solutions to keep the day running smoothly.
6) Coordinate with Vendors
Communicate with vendors and ensure they are following the planned schedule.
7) Guest Interaction
Greet and assist guests, especially those at the bridal party or immediate family. Act as a point of contact for guests who may have questions or need assistance.
8) Speech or Toast
Share a heartfelt speech or toast you prepared during the reception.
9) Support for the Bride
Provide calmness, emotional support, and reassurance to the bride throughout the day. Help with any necessary outfit changes.
10) Check if the Bride Has Time to Eat and Drink Water
If the bride and bridesmaids drink champagne during their time together in the morning, the maid of honor should delicately check to ensure no one goes overboard and that the bubbly is balanced with sips of water. Even better – throw in some snacks.
Additionally, watch the bride’s food intake throughout the day. While she might be too nervous to eat much, sneaking in some small snacks can provide excellent support and a source of energy. At the same time, sipping water can ward her off any hangovers.
11) Shine Together on the Dance Floor
Сreatу joyful moments on the dance floor, grabbing the bride and moving together. Share laughter, twirls, and memorable steps, adding a touch of friendship to the celebration. This duty extends beyond tradition, fostering a lively and supportive atmosphere throughout the party.
12) Grand Exit Assistance
Help coordinate and facilitate the grand exit, whether it involves throwing confetti, releasing balloons, or other celebratory elements.
As brides and their maid of honor share the joys and challenges of wedding planning, a deep bond is formed—a bond that stands as a testament to the enduring friendship and support that makes the wedding day truly extraordinary.
