Did you know that maid of honour is called matron of honour if she is married? The maid of honour is the bride's chief support during, before and after the wedding.
People may have a preconceived notion that a maid of honour can be a demanding and bossy bridesmaid, but the maid of honour typically holds several special duties in addition to some special benefits.
1. Wedding planning
Planning one or more showers for the bride, with the help of the other bridesmaids and/or the bride's mother, sisters etc. is just part of planning the wedding in general.
Agreeing to be a bridesmaid is like signing on for a part-time job. Therefore, the maid of honour is in charge of the parties, but also bridesmaids are expected to have ideas, give feedback, and help decorate, chip in cash, and assist with the hostess duties.
2. Attend the wedding dress shopping and fittings
The bride may or may not ask the maid of honour to accompany her wedding dress shopping and to her dress fittings, but many brides do like to have the maid of honour present for this outing.
Remember she picked you to be her maid of honour for a reason - she trusts you. Therefore, your opinion matters. Also, a maid of honour should make sure that all of the maids order their dresses and accessories in a timely fashion.
3. Serve as a messenger between the couple
If the almost-married couple is exchanging love notes or gifts the morning of the wedding, a maid of honour responsibility could be to serve as the go-between, along with the best man.
The maid of honour visits the bride’s future spouse, and hands over the note and/or gift and, of course, report back on the reaction!
4. Moral Support
The months leading up to a wedding are stressful for any bride, and simply being available to chat can do wonders. Call your friend periodically to check in and make sure that everything’s progressing according to plan.
It is always good to keep asking if there’s anything you can do to help.
5. Make sure the bride shines
As a maid of honour, it is your job to make sure the bride is always shining on her wedding day. When the bride needs something - a tissue, a bobby pin or a glass of champagne - be by her side anticipating her request.
You should never be out of reach. She’ll be comforted by your presence.
6. Sign the marriage license as witnesses
Right after the ceremony, the officiant and the newlyweds will sign the marriage license. Two witnesses are also required, and usually, the maid of honour and best man take on the role of a witness as well.
7. Keep an eye on the gifts
As the Maid of honour, you’re responsible for the gifts table, and for safekeeping any gifts in envelopes the couple may receive during the course of the night. If the couple is jetting off on their honeymoon directly after the reception, you may even be tasked with taking the gifts home with you and storing them until they return from their vacation.
Alternatively, you might be asked to drop the gifts off at their folks’ place, or at their house while they are away so that they can open them when the return.