Being The Maid Of Honor: What to Expect and How To Be Prepared for the Big Day!
Every soon to be wifey-for-lifey needs her dream team of besties and the Maid of Honor is an uber important part of that team. It is so super special to be chosen for such a special role and an even greater honor to be trusted to help the bride-to-be create the perfect wedding day. As the Maid of Honor, it is important to know what to expect and how to be prepared for the big day.
From helping the bride-to-be pick out the perfect dress to helping her plan the bachelorette party and making sure the bridesmaids are ready on wedding day, the Maid of Honor is responsible for a lot of behind-the-scenes jobs. With the right attitude and a little bit of planning, the Maid of Honor is sure to make the bride-to-be's special day even more special.
Read on for a guide to being the Maid of Honor and all the tasks that come with it.
Responsibilities of the Maid of Honor
There are lots of responsibilities that come along with being the Maid of Honor. You might be surprised to learn that many of these are not even directly related to the wedding itself. Some unspoken duties you should take note of:
Make sure that the bride has a stress-free and happy planning process.
Be the bride's advocate on dress shopping day. It can be overwhelming and emotional, especially if she loves a dress that maybe her mom doesn't like. She will likely want to try on a lot of different dresses and the Maid of Honor may need to be present at try-on appointments in order to give her honest feedback and be her support.
Plan and get all the information about the bridesmaids to provide to the bride for bridesmaids’ gifts or getting ready outfits. This is a great way to take stress off the bride from having to have a million texting convos back and forth.
Help the bride-to-be make all of the necessary appointments and stay on track with booking vendors on time.
Be a part of the decision-making process - The Maid of Honor should feel free to voice any opinions she has during the process. She should make sure to have an open mind, but she should also speak up if there is something she feels very strongly about. The bride-to-be will likely want the input of all of her bridal party members, but she chose you for a reason- because she cares about your thoughts and opinions.
Bachelorette Party Planning
The bride might want to have some say in how her bachelorette party is planned, but some brides love having it as a total surprise! However, it is important for the bride to remember to put her limitations in place. If she does not want to go to a certain place (strip club anyone?) or participate in a certain activity (penis straws for the win), she needs to be honest with her bridesmaids about her limits so they can plan the party she wants. When it comes to attire for the bach party, it is typically up to the MOH to coordinate with everyone. Whether you are going to stay on a budget and all wear black from an outfit you already have, or if you want to purchase some cute and raunchy group tees, it is usually up to the Maid of Honor to decide, collect money, and place the order.
a. Listen to the Bride
The bride is the one whose wedding day is coming up and she is the one whose feelings and wishes are the main priority. She may have some desires that do not make sense to the Maid of Honor, but it is important to respect the bride’s wishes. It may be helpful to have a conversation with the bride if you have any reservations or concerns. The bride may want the Maid of Honor to take on more tasks than that person originally thought. It is important for the Maid of Honor to be honest about her limitations and make sure to communicate what she is and is not comfortable with or if she's overwhelmed. The bride needs to be sensitive to the fact that being the Maid of Honor is a big responsibility and may need to give her Maid of Honor some time to breathe and unwind before the big day.
c. Don’t be Afraid to Speak Up
As the Maid of Honor, it is important to know that it is okay to speak up if you do not agree with something or if you think that something can be done in a better or different way. The bride-to-be may want her bridesmaids to wear a specific color or she may want them to have a certain hairstyle. The Maid of Honor should feel free to voice her opinions during the decision-making process in a kind and respectful way. The Maid of Honor is an important member of the bridal party and should feel free to ask questions about the wedding. It is important, however, to make sure that any questions are asked at the right time. It is not helpful to ask the bride-to-be about her colors or decorations while she is trying to pick out her own dress. There are plenty of other times during the wedding planning process when the bride-to-be has time to answer questions.
Conclusion
Being a Maid of Honor can be an exciting and challenging role. It is important to know what to expect and how to be prepared for the big day. There are lots of responsibilities that come along with this role and it is important to know how to keep the bridesmaids on track and how to speak up when necessary. Being an awesome Maid of Honor comes down to having the right attitude and being prepared for all that comes with being part of the wedding planning process.