How to Ace the Job of Maid of Honor
The special day has arrived! It’s your best friend or sister’s wedding, and you’re the maid or matron of honor. It’s not just the big day for the bride to be, but an important day for you as well. Here is a quick checklist that you will find handy if you want to excel in your role as maid of honor.
Discuss Expectations Upfront
If your friend or loved one has asked you to be a maid or matron of honor, then you have every reason to be happy and excited about the role. As the name suggests, it’s quite the honor to be chosen. Of course, the role comes with specific duties and responsibilities as well. From arranging the bachelorette party to assisting with wedding shopping, there is a lot to do.
It is always helpful if you can talk to the bride about her expectations upfront. It is better to communicate before any misunderstandings occur. Be sure to only commit to responsibilities that you can manage. For example, you can suggest lending a hand for arranging the bachelorette party, help choose the wedding cake flavor and assisting with the guest list. Some brides-to-be may also ask for help in deciding on the wedding venue or decorations. If you think you won’t be able to manage particular logistics, be sure to vocalize it. You can also suggest a wedding planner while you share ideas and supervise them.
Calm Her Nerves
Apart from all the fun and excitement, the wedding itself can also be very stressful for the bride. The family of the bride may also need someone to talk to, seek information or help with errands. Lend a hand and an ear when needed. Soak up all the information related to the wedding so that you can share your suggestions when asked.
Apart from that, listen to the bride. Sometimes just letting someone speak their heart can help to calm their nerves. Be that sponge and let her ease her wedding-related stress. Before the big day, arrange a spa session to help her relax. Take her out for a nice lunch or to her favorite pub.
On the day off, offer the bride a cold glass of white wine. That should be good enough to help her relax. How about an impromptu dance party with the bridesmaids? This will not just give a boost of laughter, but a lot of endorphins to help her deal with the stress. If you think the bride needs some “me time,” let her go for a stroll. Offer to be there in case she needs someone to talk to.
Go Wedding Dress Shopping with Her
One of the primary responsibilities of the maid of honor is helping the bride choose her wedding dress. Every bride has her dream wedding dress that she wishes to wear on the most important day of her life. Being the maid of honor, you have a huge responsibility to help her choose the style, fabric and the overall look for her big day.
To help her choose the best dress, read up about different wedding dress fabrics and advise the bride on how to select one. Speak to her to understand her preferences and how she wants to look on her wedding day. Help her pick the style that will suit her best. You’ll also have to help the bride choose the right accessories and makeup. In short, you need to be the style guru for the bride-to-be.
Picking out the wedding dress will likely take some time, so set aside enough time for shopping when you’re outlining all your responsibilities. As maid of honor, you will need to see that the makeup, hair styles and dresses for the bridesmaids have been decided as well. Coordinate with everyone to ensure that everything is in order and there is no last-minute panic.
While it is a tremendous honor to be the maid of honor, it also comes with its share of responsibilities. Hopefully, these tips will help you be the best maid of honor you can be for your best friend.
