The maid of honor is responsible for a lot of things – from planning a whirlwind hen party to helping the bride shop for a wedding dress to answering a 2 a.m. phone call because the bride is having night sweats about napkin colors. Translation: The maid of honor is one of the most important roles at the wedding and it’s a role that is not to be taken lightly. Here is our cheat-sheet to ensure you are a stellar maid of honor…
Listen
Weddings are like elaborate business projects with a lot of team players who report to the CEO … ahem, the bride. You’ll have to lend an ear when she needs to vent and also keep track of what’s important to her throughout this period. Bonus: learn to read between the lines. Say, she casually mentions her obsession with Nutella and you make some Nutella centred cupcakes for the hen party – major maid of honor gold star!
Be Honest
Chances are you the maid of honour because you’re already close with the bride. She trusts you and your opinions, so no need to lie that you adore the bridesmaid dresses when the style makes you look seven-months pregnant. At the same time, know when to bite your tongue if your opinion isn’t going to help anyone.
Channel Your Inner Party Planner
You’ll be at the helm of the hen party. Between working out all the logistics and scouting Pinterest for ideas, you’re going to be quite busy.
Toast the Bride
Prepare to write a mini-speech. Depending on the couple, they may ask the maid of honour to make a toast either at an informal diner beforehand or on the day. The good news: you love the bride, so coming up with a speech about why you’re happy for her shouldn’t be hard. If public speaking isn’t your thing, just focus your attention solely on the couple. If you’re still worried consider contacting a wedding speech coach such as www.theweddingspeechcoach.com
Co-Ordinate Bridesmaids Duties
Prepare to email and text – a lot! The wedding party is a team and you want everyone to help the bride as much as possible. Just remember, you’re not here to boss anyone around.
Keep Emotions in Check
Even if you’re level-headed, weddings tend to bring out a lot of emotions that have a tendency to ricochet. If a fellow bridesmaid is constantly “critiquing” your ideas for the hen party, take a deep breath, remind yourself you’re an adult and that you don’t need to retaliate with an equally sassy comeback. Note: Happy tears are okay.
Be Resourceful
This goes beyond having an emergency sewing kit or stain-removing wipes. Before the big day, gather all important contact info – from the florist to the bride’s mother in law – that way if something goes awry you can step in to help.
Take Care of the Bride
Your mission: keep her happy and well-fed. Strawberries in Champagne don’t count as a meal. Have some snack bars or a banana handy – smoothies with a straw are also great as they won’t ruin her make up. If the officiant is running late, you might need to perhaps calm her jitters.
Learn How to Navigate That Gown
No one wants to spend an hour trying to figure out that intricate lace corset dress or a tricky back buttons. Do a test-run at least the day before.
Have Fun!
Yes, you’re here to help, but you’re not the bride’s personal assistant. This is a special opportunity to have an amazing time strengthening your friendship.