Your best friend is getting married and she has asked you to be her maid of honor. Beyond the time honored traditions of throwing a bridal shower, putting together her bachelorette party and standing beside her during the wedding, what other duties befall the Maid of Honor?
Today’s bride is more likely to be a bit older and well established away from home by the time she decides to get married. Especially if she lives very far away from her Mother, your Maid of Honor responsibilities will increase. Things that traditionally her Mother would have helped her with, such as choosing the venue for the ceremony and reception, picking out the invitations, deciding on decorations, flowers and such, now will befall you, as her right hand woman. She will need you to be highly organized, as she probably won’t be. Keeping track of all the little details will help to ensure that your best friend’s wedding will come off without a hitch.
She will probably ask you to go shopping with her, not only to pick out the bridesmaid’s dresses, but also to register for her gifts. Keeping good track of what stores and price ranges from each will allow you to help steer guests , not only for the wedding, but also any bridal showers, towards the appropriate stores.
The closer you are to the actually wedding day, the more your responsibilities as Maid of Honor will increase. You will be a vital link between the bride and family coming in for the wedding. It will be up to you to make sure any pertinent messages are dealt with and followed up on to ensure a no-hassle arrival of these important guests.
On the day of her wedding, your Maid of Honor duties increase exponentially. It is up to you to ensure anything and everything the bride needs is at the ready. From getting her hair, makeup and nails done, to ushering everyone out of her room, so that she can have a bit of breathing room before she walks down the aisle, your presence will be her calming force. Of course, part of your duties are to help her dress in her gown, and arrange her veil and train so that she does not trip on it as she walks down the aisle.
Once the procession is complete and everyone has arrived at the altar, you are there to take her bouquet, keep track of her train so that she doesn’t trip, and to give her his ring when the time has come. Upon the completion of the ceremony, you are there to sign as witness on the marriage certificate.
Just because the ceremony has concluded, however, does not mean that your Maid of Honor duties have come to an end. Keeping track of any monetary gifts the bride and groom receive is your concern. It is also expected that the Maid of Honor, along with the best man, will propose a toast to the couple, presumably with some small antidote that many guests may not know.
Ushering the bride and groom out of the reception and into their awaiting transportation will conclude your official Maid of Honor duties.
Beyond all else, make sure that you and your best friend have fun planning her wedding, and that all of the love you feel for each other is reflected in all that you do.
