When you've been asked to be part of a bridal party, it can be tricky to know what you are supposed to do. In this article, we will outline the main differences between bridesmaids and maids of honour, as well as provide some tips to succeed as a Maid of Honour!
What is a bridesmaid?
A bridesmaid is a member of the bride's wedding party. Unlike the Maid of Honour, she generally does not have any specific responsibilities other than to show up on time for pre-wedding events and to support the bride on the big day. Bridesmaids typically wear matching dresses or outfits and carry bouquets that coordinate with the rest of the wedding party.
What is a Maid of Honour?
The Maid of Honour is thought of as the 'head bridesmaid' and is typically the bride's closest friend or relative. As such, she has a few more responsibilities than the other members of the bridal party. The Maid of Honour is responsible for helping the bride with wedding planning, being there for her on the big day, and giving a speech at the reception. Maids of honour are also usually responsible for organising the bridal shower and bachelorette party.
How to succeed as a Maid of Honour
If you have been asked to be the Maid of Honour, congratulations! This is an amazing honour and one that comes with a lot of responsibility. To make sure everything goes off without a hitch, here are a few tips:
- Be organised: One of your main responsibilities as a Maid of Honour is to help the bride with wedding planning. This means keeping track of deadlines, appointments, and any other important details.
- Be a shoulder to cry on: Wedding planning can be stressful, so it's important to be there for the bride when she needs to vent or just needs a break from it all. If you struggle with what to do when people are upset, check out these tips on how to listen effectively.
- Give an amazing speech: The Maid of Honour speech is one of the most important speeches at the reception. Be sure to put some thought into it and practice beforehand so you can deliver a memorable, funny, and heart-warming speech that everyone will love. It can be hard to know what to say, so check out the video below for a great example of a Maid of Honour speech that is the right balance of funny and touching.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3DBQBGq9vJc&ab_channel=StefanieSigal
Being a Maid of Honour or bridesmaid can be a lot of work, but it is also a lot of fun. Use these tips to make sure you are prepared and succeed in your Maid of Honour or bridesmaid duties! If you find that you are struggling to keep up with all your bridal party responsibilities, get in touch. At Monday & Co, writing wedding speeches is one of our favourite things to do, so don't be afraid to hand over the writing of your Maid of Honour speech to focus on the fun parts of wedding planning!