Keep the bridal party on the timeline
There are lots of moving parts on a wedding day, from getting hair and makeup done to taking photos to walking down the aisle. A maid of honor should be there to help corral the bridal party to make it to every event in a timely manner.
Organize the getting-ready suite
The morning of a wedding can be a fun and meaningful time for the bridal party as they all get ready for the big day. The maid of honor should make sure this space is well prepared with food, water, and maybe a little champagne for everyone to enjoy as they get glammed up and prepare for the long day ahead.
Serve as the bride’s point person
The bride should have a relaxing wedding day—and not be the person fielding questions from a wedding planner or confused guests. The maid of honor will help with those last coordinating details and relay any necessary information to the wedding party. It’s a good idea to get contact info of the wedding planners or venue coordinators before the day-of so you can be in communication at all times.
Keep the bride fed and calm
It’s perfectly normal for a bride who’s distracted by all the moving parts to forget about eating enough during the day or get some jitters. A maid of honor should be on top of ensuring the bride always has food and water available, as well as being a shoulder for them to lean on if they need to talk through any nerves.
Hold the bouquet (and other bits and pieces)
During the ceremony, a bride will traditionally hand off the bouquet to the maid of honor for important moments like vows and exchanging the rings. In addition to the floral arrangement, a maid of honor may be asked to hold on to items for the bride like lipstick, a cell phone, or a speech. It’s a good idea to keep a clutch with you or choose a gown with pockets for this purpose. You might also need to join the bride in the bathroom if their large gown needs to be strategically held when they’re relieving themselves.
Give a speech
Traditionally, the maid of honor is one of the few guests who give a speech at the wedding reception. It’s best to make this speech sweet, sentimental, and a bit funny, if that’s your forté. Make sure to pre-write your speech and practice if you can so you don’t let nerves take hold. Also, be sure to keep it on the shorter side so everyone can have plenty of time later on the dance floor.
Have responsible fun
While you absolutely can enjoy the specialty cocktails and get down on the dance floor, it’s best for the maid of honor not to go overboard. Feel free to keep your energy up and have fun alongside the bride all night, but remember that you should still be a helpful presence rather than someone who needs help. If there’s a day-after party, you will want to be in good shape to help the bride with any last needs.
Maid of Honor Duties After the Wedding
Just because the couple exchanged vows doesn’t mean your responsibilities end right there. There are a few follow-up tasks a maid of honor should do once the day is done.