Duties of a Maid of Honor in a Wedding

The most popular Maid of Honor I know in my entire wedding coordinator career would be Pippa Middleton - Kate's equally beautiful sister.  She best exemplifies what a Maid of Honor in a Wedding should be - helpful, attentive to the bride, elegant, supportive, committed to her duties and assertive.

And since Maid of Honor (also the Bestman) are the second most important person in the Bridal Entourage thus I've decided to list here the duties of a Maid of Honor (or Matron of Honor if she's already married).


I have here a sample picture of my bride Monette and her sister who is also her Maid of Honor:

my bride-client Monette at Plaza Ibarra Timog and below is her sister/Maid of Honor who performed her duties well as Maid of Honor

Pre Wedding Duties:

Ask the bride if she needs in help in looking at different locations/suppliers for the wedding especially if the Bride is a "hands-on" bride;  You can act as her "Full Time Event Coordinator".   

Help the bride choose her wedding invitations as well as possibly address the invitations if she needs your support.
Your opinion will be a great help for the bride if she needs help in ordering/choosing an Event Stylist or wedding souvenir suppliers.
It would be helpful for you to attend the Bride's multiple gown fitting so you can give her feedback;  again Filipina Bride's given their nature would not ask you for this but do make the effort to come with her and she will be ever thankful with your gesture.
Help the bride to register for their wedding gifts, this would be a very fun and bonding experience for both of you as grooms don't usually help brides in doing this during their wedding preps.
Help the bride in the seating arrangement. This can be a very difficult process as definitely on the wedding day itself you'll be the point person just in case there are any mix-ups, but this I guarantee, you will definitely save the day!
Host and Plan the bridal shower.  It would be an honor for you to be there.  Also, suggest games and partake in the expenses-sharing.
Help keep order and organization with the other bridesmaids.
Attend and help out during the wedding  rehearsal (if there are any).  If there's no wedding rehearsal, make sure that you are at the church venue at least an hour before the ceremony to organize other things, receive the guests and entourage while they are waiting for the couple
Field messages for the bride and her family to make sure you are up on any changes (especially if they are last minute changes that affect the other guests). 

Attend all bridal fairs with the bride as well as cake and catering tasting. 

Wedding Day

Wedding Day Duties:

Make sure the bride arrives to the ceremony and that she has everything on herself as well as inside her pouch;  I suggest create a Maid of Honor Checklist for yourself to make your duties easier.
Assist the bride in getting into her dress and makeup - that's why it would be helpful if you're at the hotel/dressing venue;  Bride's may have a bride's assistant (if they have wedding coordinators) but it would be a rewarding experience if she has someone beside her that she has trusted for so many years other than a bride's assistant.
Be the messenger if the bride wants to communicate messages to the family or groom so you are always up on what is going on;  I would suggest you get the bride's mobile phone so that the bride won't feel the stress during her wedding day with all the incoming text messages or incoming calls.
Help make sure the bride has privacy if she needs some quiet time before the ceremony.
Be the witness in the signing of the marriage license which is an honor!  Together with the Bestman, you'll be facilitating in this ceremony so all Principal Sponsors would sign at the marriage contract.  Churches/Priests/Pastors would often provide pens but it would be helpful if you also have a pen with you just in case there is none available.
Help the bride with her veil and train (if she has one). Be like PIPPA MIDDLETON, who was always there for her bride/sister in carrying the train/veil.  You'll never know how heavy wedding gowns are especially with the veil and train that's why some brides would actually trip on their train.  Be proactive!
Be your friend's "right-hand-woman" at the altar. She may be very nervous and you can be the calming source with your presence.   If there's a need to get her pouch and carry it, do so!  If there's a need to hold her bridal bouquet first while she is signing the marriage contract, do so!
Remember that one of your duty is to be Keeper of the brides bouquet during the ceremony. Make sure you have a free hand.
Remember that one of your duty is to make sure that the bride's train is well laid at the center aisle while the ceremony is on-going.  You'll never know when the photographer will make a shot of the bride's train, so better be ready than be sorry.   

Make a toast or speech or lead the Invocation Prayer during the wedding party since it is tradition and most people love hearing these friendship stories! 

Last, but not least, provide moral support and be a great listener throughout the process since it is a very wonderful and "positively" stressful time for your friend. You can really make the difference! 

Too often, the duty of "straightening/fluffing" the Bride's dress is overlooked. If the Bride is staying on a level, straight path, then this can be done before her descent down the aisle. However, if she is turning, or stepping up steps and/or turning to reach her destination, then the Maid/Matron of Honor should first adjust her train before accepting the bouquet to hold. This is most easily done by holding the train at points about (2) feet apart, and gently "shaking" the train (as if shaking a rug!) one good time, and it will fall beautifully in place.

Again, Bride's would always wanted their entourage specifically their Maid of Honor to enjoy their wedding day but Maids of Honor play a vital role in the wedding so it is essential that while enjoying the day itself they should still be attentive and be of assistance to the Bride whenever the need arises.  


So there!  Enjoy and justify your role as Maid of Honor and I guarantee you it's not just the bride but the Groom as well as their families, friends and relatives who will be so proud and thankful that you are the Maid of Honor.  

Best, 
Cel