I am the maid of honor is my friends wedding in june 2007... I was wondering what all I have to do, like toast at the reception... etc..... I know that sounds bad and all, but she is the first to get married out of our group... I need some help... Thanks in advance!!!
2007-01-13 14:15:15 · 11 answers · asked by CP 2 in Family & Relationships ➔ Weddings
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.
maid of honorHelp 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.
wedding_ring_icon5.gif (233 bytes)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.
maid of honorGo 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. Check out our partner, Perfect Bridesmaid Dresses, for great name-brand discount wedding and bridesmaid dresses.
wedding_ring_icon5.gif (233 bytes)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.
maid of honorHelp 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!
wedding_ring_icon5.gif (233 bytes)Host and Plan the Bridal Shower as well as the Bachelorette Party!
maid of honorHelp keep order and organization with the other bridesmaids.
wedding_ring_icon5.gif (233 bytes)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.
maid of honorField messages for the bride and her family to make sure you are up on any changes (especially if they are last minute changes that affect the other guests).
Wedding Day
wedding_ring_icon5.gif (233 bytes)Make sure the bride arrives to the ceremony and that she has everything on the Maid of Honor Checklist that we have created to make your life easier.
maid of honorAssist the bride in getting into her dress and makeup
wedding_ring_icon5.gif (233 bytes)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.
maid of honorVisit the reception room and party room (if possible) to make sure there are no problems or issues. It is much better to be proactive.
wedding_ring_icon5.gif (233 bytes)Help make sure the bride has privacy if she needs some quiet time before the ceremony.
maid of honorBe the witness in the signing of the marriage license which is an honor!
wedding_ring_icon5.gif (233 bytes)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.
maid of honorBe your friend's "right-hand-woman" at the altar. She may be very nervous and you can be the calming source with your presence.
wedding_ring_icon5.gif (233 bytes)Keeper of the brides bouquet during the ceremony. Make sure you have a free hand.
maid of honorKeeper 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!
wedding_ring_icon5.gif (233 bytes)Make a toast and/or speech during the wedding party since it is tradition and most people love hearing these friendship stories!
maid of honorMake sure you lock up the bridal/groom money bag after the bride and groom dance with all of their family and friends so someone does not steal or pick it up by accident.
wedding_ring_icon5.gif (233 bytes)Last, but not least, provide moral support and be a great listener throughout the process since it is a very wonderful and "positively" stressful time for your friend. You can really make the difference!
maid of honor 101
2007-01-13 14:22:28 · answer #1 · answered by twins mommy 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Each bride has their own personal view of the role the choose for their maid of honor. I would suggest you meet your friend for lunch and sit down and talk with her about her wedding and how you may be able to assist her in the process. Sometimes the bride and maid of honor have different views on what the maid of honor should do. By communicating now, the two of you can be on the same page and avoid any misunderstandings.
With that being said, many of the previous posts give a good overview of some of the traditional roles a maid of honor plays (i.e., assist the bride in picking out her dress, helping assemble wedding favors, coordinating a bridal shower, assisting her get ready on her wedding day, giving a toast at the reception). But the two of you are the best people to decide how best to serve your role as the maid of honor. Just remember, your friend choose you as her maid of honor, so that means she already values your friendship. She will be so pleased with your kind gesture for wanting to be the best maid of honor you can be!
2007-01-14 08:33:46 · answer #2 · answered by Veronica W 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maid of Honor is responsible for planning the Bridal Shower, The Bachelorette Party & anything else the Bride needs assistance with. A toast along with a short speech at the reception is also essential. Since the wedding is this June, then you better get busy. The sooner you plan, the better. It will be more easier for you & less stress. Don't do any last minute planning.
2007-01-13 18:04:40 · answer #3 · answered by sugarBear 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Lead the bridesmaid troupe. It's the maid/matron of honor's (MOH) job to direct the other maids through their duties. Make sure all bridesmaids get their dresses, go to dress fittings, and find the right jewelry. Also provide them with the 411 on all prewedding parties.
Help shop for dresses (the bride's and the bridesmaids'). And the MOH pays for her own entire wedding outfit (including shoes).
Offer to help the bride with prewedding tasks, from addressing invites to choosing the wedding colors and nodding enthusiastically when she waxes poetic about wedding cake.
Spread the news about where the bride and groom are registered.
Help the bride change for her honeymoon and take charge of her gown after the ceremony. Arrange for storage in a safe place until she returns.
Lend an ear. Whether it's about the planning, the marriage, or the registry china patterns, the MOH should assure the bride that she has someone with whom she can share her thoughts. Even if she seems to dwell on the same subjects repeatedly, the MOH keeps listening.
Host or cohost a shower for the bride.
Attend all prewedding parties.
Keep a record of all the gifts received at various parties and showers (or delegate a bridesmaid to handle this).
Plan the bachelorette party with the bridesmaids.
See to it that all bridesmaids get to the rehearsal; coordinate transportation and lodging, if necessary.
Make sure that all bridesmaids get their hair and makeup done, get to the ceremony on time, and have the correct bouquets.
Hold the groom's ring during the ceremony. Safest place to put it? On your thumb.
Arrange the bride's train and veil before the ceremony begins and just after she arrives at the altar. The MOH might also need to help her bustle the train for easy dancing at the reception.
Hold the bride's bouquet while the couple exchanges vows.
Sign the marriage license as a witness, along with the best man.
Stand next to the groom in the receiving line (this is optional; the bride may decide to have attendants circulate among the guests instead).
Play hostess along with the other bridesmaids at frequent points during the reception: show guests where to sit, direct them to restrooms, tell them to where to put presents, invite them to sign the guest book, etc.
Collect any gift envelopes brought to the reception and keep them in a safe place.
Make sure the bride takes a moment to eat something -- refresh her drink, get her a plate of food from the buffet table, or instruct the wait staff to keep her entree warm.
Dance with the best man during the formal first-dance sequence and possibly be announced with him at the beginning of the party. Also dance with other groomsmen, the groom, and others.
Toast the couple after the best man. (This is optional, but it is a nice touch.)
Troubleshoot emotional crises. In most cases, this will require lots of tissues, hugging, and hair-smoothing. The MOH continues to be a trusted friend, a good listener, and a smart advisor.
Keep the bride laughing. For the stressed-out bride, laughter can be as effective as venting.
2007-01-13 22:26:40 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Plan and host a shower for her approx one month before the wedding, pay for your own attire, help her a little with her wedding planning (however you do NOT have to be her servant or be committed to having her run your life or take up all your time), be a general support to her during this time, be in a leadership role with the rest of the bridesmaids, study up on proper etiquette for your role, make either a speech/toast of your own or a speech jointly with the best man at the reception.
2007-01-13 15:12:10 · answer #5 · answered by Etiquette Gal 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Pre-wedding parties are optional. You can offer to host, or ask the other bridesmaids if they'd like to help plan, but you're not obligated, even as the maid of honor.
2007-01-13 15:17:44 · answer #6 · answered by weddingqueen 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First priority ANYTHING the bride asks/needs of you. Otherwise check out wedding section at barnes and noble. Great survival guides for MOH
2007-01-14 09:29:28 · answer #7 · answered by texasgirl31 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i just got married in aug 06 and my maid of honor threw me a bridal shower...and at the wedding...helped me get dressed..picked up my traln...did the speech..and threw the bachelotrette party
2007-01-13 14:46:08 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Nope sorry, you are now essentially the bride's biotch. You have to help her with pretty much all aspects of the wedding when she needs it, and you're also in charge of the wedding shower and bachlorette party. Good luck and congratulations to the couple!
2007-01-13 15:05:29 · answer #9 · answered by Smart Blonde 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I have found the http://www.maidofhonor.org is a good starting place. Also you may want to check out this article- as my sister found it helpful:
http://www.bridesmaid101.com/maid_of_honor_duties.html
Just above all else know that your main duty is to be there to support the lucky bride and to hear and help her. All your effort will be well appreciated!
2007-01-13 14:38:03 · answer #10 · answered by glorymomof3 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋