Duties of The Maid of Honor
When you are asked to be a Maid of Honor, you are considered to be the best friend or favorite relative of the bride. If you accept this honor, You are taking on an important responsibility. In large part, you will assist the bride and her mother accomplish many of the wedding tasks. Do what you can to relieve the stress that builds up on the bride so she doesn't have to worry about the details. So, how does one become the best Maid of Honor? Well, here are some tips from the Duke:
1) Ask the mother of the bride if you can help in any way aside from performing your ceremonial duties.
2) Go with the bride when she is shopping for her wedding dress as well as the Bridesmaid Dresses. It is very
important to help make sure the dresses are ordered and arrive in enough time for alterations! It is helpful
for you to attend the multiple fittings in giving your friend some feedback in how the dress looks and fits.
3) Help in going with the bride to look at different locations for the wedding. Many times the Bride needs help
in choosing where to have the ceremony and party besides what day and time to have the wedding. Ask if
you can participate in this process since it can be a very stressful.
4) Help the bride choose her wedding invitations as well as possibly address the invitations if she needs your
support. Many times a bride may outsource her invitations but if they need to be addressed by the family,
your help will be key in reducing the load of tasks to complete.
5) If the bride needs help in ordering and choosing decorations and favors, your opinions may be helpful in
making decisions for narrowing down choices and making sure the decorations are in on time for the
wedding, shower and bachelorette parties.
6) Go with the bride when she is shopping for her wedding dress as well as the Bridesmaid Dresses. It is very
important to help make sure the dresses are ordered and arrive in enough time for alterations! It is helpful
for you to attend the multiple fittings in giving your friend some feedback in how the dress looks and fits.
7) Many times the groom does not want to go to register with his bride-to-be. You can be very supportive by
going with your friend to register for her wedding gifts as well as letting other guests know where the bride
and groom are registered. This is a very fun experience so take part in the choosing if she needs help.
8) Help the bride in the seating arrangement. This can be a very difficult process with the more people coming
to the wedding. Many times it makes it easier to draw out the tables and move people around until you have
a close to perfect fit. Note: It is very helpful to bring this drawing to the wedding just in case there are any
mix-ups, you will save the day!
9) Host and Plan the Bridal Shower as well as the Bachelorette Party! Help the bride keep track of gifts she
receives at these gatherings.
10) Help keep order and organization with the other bridesmaids.
11) Attend and help out during the rehearsal dinner. Many times the bride, groom and their families are
pre-occupied and forget about things which is where you can save the day by being organized.
12) Attend all bridal fairs with the bride as well as cake and catering tasting.
13) Make sure the bride arrives to the ceremony
14) Assist the bride in getting into her dress and makeup
15) Be the messenger if the bride wants to communicate messages to the family or groom so you are always
up on what is going on.
16) Visit the reception room and party room (if possible) to make sure there are no problems or issues. It is
much better to be proactive.
17) Help make sure the bride has privacy if she needs some quiet time before the ceremony.
18) Help the bride with her veil and train (if she has one). I have seen many weddings where brides have
tripped on their train which takes away from her experience for a moment.
19) Be your friend's "right-hand-woman" at the altar. She may be very nervous and you can be the calming
source with your presence.
20) Keeper of the brides bouquet during the ceremony. Make sure you have a free hand.
21) Keeper of the groom's ring. It is your task to also make sure the groom's ring is in your possession at all
times until you give the ring over to the bride!
22) Make a toast and/or speech during the wedding party and the rehearsal dinner since it is tradition and
most people love hearing these friendship stories! Plan on speaking after the Best Man.
23) Help collect money from a money dance if done.
24) Dance with the best man and possibly other groomsmen. You may also dance with the groom.
25) Help the bride prepare for her departure after the reception. Alert the bride's and groom's parents when
the newlywed couple is ready to leave the reception.
