Picture this, your best friend just got engaged and she picked YOU to be her maid of honor! You are filled with joy and excitement, and you cannot wait to be there for her on her big day. Then it hits you- the parties, the planning, the time. While it is an honor to be picked for this role, it can get overwhelming, and you want to make sure you do it right! The question is, what all does a maid of honor do? MOH duties differ for every bride, every wedding, and every relationship, but here are the main responsibilities of the maid of honor you should consider before committing to saying yes!
THE PROPOSAL
No matter what, guys will be guys and let’s be honest, sometimes they need a little help! Every girl is different and envisions their proposal to go a certain way. Some girls prefer a grand gesture in front of a crowd of people, and some girls prefer their moment to be in private. Understanding these things can be a make or break for the entire moment, and that is why it is important to get it right. You know what they say, no one knows you better than your best friend, and that is why you can help a guy out and give him all the tips to pull off the proposal of your bestie’s dreams!
Depending on the nature of the relationship, assisting in the proposal can create a foundation with the soon-to-be fiancé prior to the wedding! This one is tricky because life isn’t always perfect and sometimes best friends don’t get to live in the same state. While this is an unfortunate possibility, phone calls can be made, and plane tickets can be booked. Plus, this is a celebratory moment most gals want her besties to be a part of!
SHOP ‘TIL YOU DROP
Next on the list is probably the most exciting part about being the maid of honor, shopping! Who doesn’t love shopping, especially when it’s for beautiful white gowns, vacation outfits, and gold ring bands? Count me in! Most brides ask a few members like moms, grandmas, and close friends to tag along to dress shopping, and that is why your role in this process is crucial. Surprisingly, wedding dress shopping can be an emotional experience! That is why your job as the MOH is to relieve any unnecessary stress. While she brought you there to get a second opinion, you still want to make sure she is picking a dress that is her, not you and the rest of the crew.
CELEBRATE GOOD TIMES
Let us give you a tip… Pinterest is going to be your best friend during this step in the party planning process! If she hasn’t already, have your bestie create a Pinterest board to give you an idea of what she is wanting for her bridal shower/bachelorette party. The best part about planning these parties is the possibilities are endless and you have the freedom to have fun with it. Some ideas to start with could be a make-your-own mimosa bar, wine and cheese charcuterie board, bridal trivia with prizes, or a polaroid photo booth!
Lastly, the most important role you have at the bridal shower is to write down every gift the bride receives and the person who gifted it. The bride is not going to remember every gift she received, and this will be a nice refresher when she goes to write thank you cards. The ribbons and bows from the gifts can also be saved to create a makeshift bouquet for the rehearsal dinner later!
BE HER POINT PERSON
While the rest of the MOH duties are essential, the most important role you have is relieving stress from the bride leading up to the day, and of course, on the day of. This can be done in multiple ways! As the point person you are expected to answer any questions guests or family members might have, complete smaller tasks, or even help build the gift registry. Building the gift registry can be a daunting task for brides, especially when they have a million other things to worry about. As the chosen maid of honor, you can help her with this by picking places to start and adding stuff for her.
No wedding is perfect, and there is bound to be some drama at some point in the process. Your job as the maid of honor is to minimize any tension between family members, bridal party members, and make sure she doesn’t hear about it on her wedding day. All the bride should have to think about is herself, and her soon-to-be husband!
PAMPER IT UP
Checking in on your bestie monthly is a great way to let her know you are still there if she needs you. A few ways you can do this is take her out for lunch, get her nails done, or even get a massage to relieve some stress. Sometimes you need a little self-care, right? During these in-between moments you can ask how she’s doing physically, mentally, and emotionally. Spending quality time with her and asking about things not wedding related is a great way to check in. Additionally, it is your job to make sure her nails are done for the actual wedding day! This is a great way to give her an excuse to relax during the week of while also checking in.
BRAG ON YOUR BESTIE
Now for the scary part, speeches! Maybe public speaking is the part you’re most excited for, or maybe this is what will keep you from eating the day of because you’re so nervous (which you should NOT do). No matter which category you fall in, just remember with a few embarrassing stories and sentimental words, your speech will be golden! This speech is a testimony of your friendship and the blossom of her and her husband’s love story from an outside perspective. Whether you’re good at public speaking or not, your bestie will still appreciate you and everything you have done for her.
Photographer | Madi Robinson
We understand being the made of honor comes with a lot of responsibility, but nothing beats being there for your bestie on her wedding day and the honor that follows. You’re probably reading this and thinking, “there’s no way I can do all of this on my own,” and that’s okay! You are surrounded by a group full of bridesmaids who would be willing to give you a helping hand. If you feel overwhelmed, just reach out and ask for help! At the end of the day, the bride will still be married and you will still be her best friend.
Need tips on how to be fully prepared for your best friend’s wedding day? Click here to check out what we put in our wedding day emergency kit!
