One of your closest friends has just announced her engagement and has asked you to be her Maid/Matron of Honour or bridesmaid! You are having visions of yourself dressed in the ideal bridesmaid dress in your favourite colour, looking incredibly glamourous…. But will the reality be like this? As a Maid/Matron of Honour or a bridesmaid what are you expected to do?
A Maid of Honour is an unmarried friend or relative of the bride who is chosen to support the bride and act as head “bridesmaid” for the upcoming wedding. If this special person is married, she will be called a Matron of Honour. Traditionally, Bridesmaids were unmarried young ladies who were asked to support the Bride and Maid/Matron of Honour, although these days this is often not the case.
The Maid/Matron of Honour is quite possibly one of the busiest roles, next to the Bride, in a wedding. She will need to be next to the Bride every step of the way, and take on any number of ‘hats’ to ensure the success of the day – she may be asked to be an stylist, advisor, party planner, psychiatrist, referee and ‘reality checker’ from time to time!
So here are a few handy tips which are sure to help you through the big day…
- The MOH should be the chief organiser of the bridesmaids and a conduit of information from the bride. Helping to make sure everyone has their full outfit and attends dress fittings and all the pre-wedding events.
- Help inform the guests about any gift registries or present ideas.
- Plan and/or co-host, the hen’s night and kitchen tea/bachelorette party with other bridesmaids.
- Assist the bride with choosing the bridesmaids’ ensemble and accessories. You should always discuss very early on with the Bride who is going to pay for these outfits – often these days the Bridesmaids are asked to pay for their own dress and accessories, including jewellery, hair accessories and shoes. But the Bride may also expect the bridesmaids to pay for their own make up and hairstyling on the day.
- A very important and often overlooked item is to remember to break in new shoes before the wedding day to minimise blisters and aching feet.
- The MOH will very likely be needed to run a myriad of last minute errands, like collecting dresses or flowers, liaising with the marriage celebrant, or satisfying bridal snack attacks!
- Ensure that all bridesmaids get their hair and makeup done, and have the correct accessories and bouquets. Assist the Bride in dressing.
- It is often a good idea to carry a small emergency kit in your clutch with a needle and thread band aids, tissues, stockings, white chalk (to cover up any dirty spots on the bride’s dress), deodorant and a touch-up makeup kit . It is also a good idea to have a spare copy of any readings or prayers for the ceremony .
- At the ceremony, the MOH will assist the bride with her train and veil and stand beside the bride and hold her bouquet, and the groom’s ring.
- Assist the Bride with her dress and train in the wedding photo’s.
- At the reception the MOH can assist by introducing guests to each other, making sure they know their way around the venue, telling them where to put presents and inviting them to sign the guest book if there is one.
- Make sure the bride takes a moment to eat something.
- Give a speech or toast if requested.
- Dance with the best man/groomsmen during the first dance.
- Assist the bride change into her ‘after party’ dress if she has one, and arrange for storage of her wedding dress in a safe place until she returns from honeymoon.
- After the reception, organise with the best man and groomsmen to help pack the wedding presents to be taken home.
