So, you have been asked to be a matron of honor? I bet now that you have had time to think about it, you not sure whether it’s an honor or privilege or maybe even a curse (so much hard work). Getting asked to be Maid or Matron of Honor at a wedding is one of the most loving compliments a girl can receive, but Maid of Honor obligations can be a strain on your time as well as your spending budget. How big of a role you will play depends on the degree of involvement of the groom, other family members and the size of both the wedding ceremony and wedding reception. A Maid of Honor is active both in the time foremost up to the wedding, as well as the actual wedding day. She assures everything goes smoothly from start to finish, and the bride will be forever grateful for such beautiful, great reminiscences of her special day. You have your MAID OF HONOR obligations before the wedding day.
There are many pre-wedding obligations a Maid of Honor is anticipated to perform. You begin assisting with selection, when the wedding planning is just in the beginning stages. Be prepared to be always on call, especially as the big day approaches. You must be prepared to do many things by yourself. So let’s review these obligations, so you can have a stress-free time assisting the bride, knowing what is anticipated of you in this special Maid of Honor role.
You will become an almost as important decision maker as the bride. She will need a second opinion and will use you as a sounding board before plumbing for certain things. Remember that this is an emotional time and you will have to be the one with the cool head. Choosing the location of the ceremony and the wedding reception, picking wedding invitations, deciding on the bride’s gown and bridal social gathering attire, tasting wedding cakes, deciding on the meals, flowers and decor - all of these selections must be made early on when planning the wedding. It will be hard work and there will be times when you want to tear your hair out (don’t though. It will look terrible in the photos!). Hopefully you will look back on it and realize it was actually a lot of fun. I think you need to be objective in your decisions. If you do not tell the truth or give solid opinions it will come back and bite you.
When you have got those major decisions out of the way, it’s time to get down to the nitty gritty. Basically you’ve got to keep your eye on everyone else involved. This may sound basic but you need to find out who (out of those invited) are actually going to turn up on the day. Your organizational skills might also be necessary for helping plan seating or even registering for gifts.
Some jobs are definitely your responsibility. It is up to you to plan both the bridal shower and bachelorette activities. At both social gathering, be sure to keep track of the gifts received so the bride can send thank you notes later. Although tired but happy you must remember that you are so far, only half way through your maid of honor duties. You have your MAID OF HONOR obligations on the wedding day.
You would be excused for thinking that all your work is done now that the big day has arrived. You could not be more wrong. This is when there is far more potential for mishaps and trouble. As maid of honor you have a lot more things to do.
Aside from getting yourself prepared, as well as the bridal social gatherings you oversee, your obligations as Maid of Honor are in assisting the bride, becoming at her side throughout the day. Because you will be very busy and a little stressed, too, it is a good idea to have prepared some type of checklist for yourself, to ensure every last minute detail is tended to. Help the bride with her wedding gown, veil and makeup, plus anything else she might need. Let her know you are there for her if she requirements anything at all.
Maid of Honor obligations continue both at the altar and at the wedding reception. It’s not just about your maid of honor speeches. During the wedding ceremony, you are the keeper of the groom’s ring until the bride places it on his finger. Also be sure to alter her train at the altar and hold her bouquet. Help gather the necessary family and friends for the photos taken of the newlyweds. At the wedding reception, help coordinate any occasions such as special dances, bouquet tossing and cake cutting. Keep tabs on the money bag and gifts for the couple as well. Most importantly, make a heartfelt toast about how much this bride suggests to you and how touched you are that you were chosen to be such an important part of her wedding day.
When you have covered everything, you will be able to let your hair down and enjoy yourself (assuming that you have some energy left after doing those things).