Role of the Maid of Honour and Bridesmaid

The maid of honour, or matron of honour - if she is already married - the closest female companion to the bride during the wedding, usually relishes the honour of being asked to perform this important role in the lead up to and during the wedding celebration.

To ensure your maid of honour and bridesmaids' will provide the most support during your wedding it is important to choose people who are closest to you and are great communicators with lots of energy and love to put into your special day. If you have been chosen as a maid of honour or chief bridesmaid, then there are a few pointers you can look to so you know what is traditionally required of this role.

Maid of Honour's Duties Before the Wedding

The Maid of Honour will coordinate the other bridesmaids if the bride has chosen more than one and will help with the bride's responsibilities in the preparation of her wedding. One of the main tasks that the maid of honour will take on is the hens' night, especially if the bride wants the evening to be a surprise. This job is one of many the many jobs that the maid of honour will take on during the entire wedding planning process. Some of the other duties a bridesmaid will perform are listed below.

• Before the wedding, the maid of honour will help the bride shop for an appropriate wedding gown. She may also give input to the colour and style of the bridesmaid dresses, groomsmen attire and flower girl's dress.


• The maid of honour may assist with addressing the invitations to the wedding guests.


• If you have been chosen as the bride's maid of honour you may also organise the present for the bride from the bridesmaids.


• A maid of honour may also help with wedding decisions such as wedding dcor and flower choice.


• You may also help the mother of the bride with any last minute details.

Maid of Honour's Duties During the Wedding Ceremony

When there's no more time for organising and the wedding ceremony approaches, you have a whole new set of duties to perform that run over the course of the grand celebration. Here is an overview of the sort of duties you will perform over the day.

• The maid of honour and bridesmaids are usually around to help the bride dress and put on her jewellery before the wedding ceremony. She will then help the bride in and out of the wedding car, looking after the dress and veil.


• The maid of honour will coordinate the bridesmaids and hold the bride's bouquet during the wedding ceremony.


• If there is no page boy or ring bearer then the maid of honour will hold the groom's wedding ring until the exchange of rings.


• The maid of honour is also expected to keep the ceremony flowing and guests at ease, being the point-of-contact and collecting any wedding gifts, and adjusting the bride's dress or veil during the event.


• After the ceremony the maid of honour will help the bride during photo shoots. She may also make a toast at the wedding reception, and help the bride change into her going-away outfit.


• Lastly, she will take care of the bride's wedding dress once the bride has left.