Choosing A Best Man And Maid Of Honor: Who Should You Pick?

The best man and maid of honor are key figures in a wedding, but their roles have evolved over the years. They are now expected to perform some traditional duties, such as serving as official witnesses to the ceremony and helping the couple with wedding preparations. The best man and maid of honor are usually close to the couple, and their presence is meant to provide support and comfort. While the best man assists the groom with suit fittings and planning the bachelor party, the maid of honor helps the bride choose her gown, plans the bridal shower and bachelorette party, and provides support on the wedding day.

The best man and maid of honour don't need to walk down the aisle together

There is no need for a best man and maid of honour to walk down the aisle together. In fact, many people choose to have just a maid of honour and best man, forgoing the rest of the bridal party. This can make the event more intimate and less stressful, with less drama and fewer opinions to consider.

Ultimately, it is your wedding, so you can choose to do whatever you want. There is no right or wrong way to organise your bridal party. You can follow tradition, or you can do something different. The best man and maid of honour can walk down the aisle with their partners, or they can walk alone. You could even have the best man waiting at the front with the groom, and then halfway down the aisle, he comes to meet the maid of honour and walks with her the rest of the way.

If you are concerned about people noticing or caring, don't be. It is unlikely that anyone will remember, and it is certainly not worth getting stressed about. Do what feels right for you and your partner, and don't worry about what anyone else thinks.

The maid of honour helps the bride with wedding preparations

While the role of a maid of honour is to support the bride, there are several tasks required of this special position, no matter the type of event that's being planned. Here are some ways in which the maid of honour can help the bride with wedding preparations:

During the Wedding Planning

• Assist with any engagement party plans.
• Attend venue or supplier appointments with the bride.
• Be a sounding board for the bride's questions on colour schemes, save-the-dates, and hairstyles.
• Go wedding dress shopping with the bride and help her find "the one".
• Assist with wedding admin, such as sorting through RSVPs.
• Host a DIY party with the other bridesmaids to help with invitations, favours, and decorations.
• Be available for random phone calls about wedding stress.
• Ask the groom if he has a gift for the bride for the morning of the wedding.
• Plan the hen party, including organising accommodation, travel, decorations, food, drinks, games, and entertainment.
• Help the bride with last-minute wedding beauty appointments.
• Pick up any hired items for the day, such as suits.
• Familiarise yourself with the order of the day so you can answer any guest questions.
• Set up the wedding venue the night before with the bride and groom.
• Find out where you'll be staying the night before the wedding and bring sleepover essentials like chocolates and a bottle of bubbly.
• Put together an emergency kit for the bride with items she might need on the morning of her wedding.

On the Wedding Day

• Help the bride get ready and keep her calm by providing emotional support.
• Check in with the bride periodically to see if she needs something to eat or drink.
• Assist the mother of the bride with her hair, makeup, water, snacks, and champagne.
• Snap behind-the-scenes photos and videos of the morning.
• Keep the bridal suite tidy.
• Help the bride get dressed and manage any last-minute attire needs.
• Keep the wedding rings safe.
• Take care of the bouquet.
• Keep the bride hydrated.
• Dance with the bride at the reception.

The best man assists the groom with suit choices and coordinating ushers

The role of the best man is a significant one, and it comes with a host of responsibilities. One of the key duties is to assist the groom in choosing his wedding attire and coordinating the overall look of the groomsmen, including the ushers.

The best man is the groom's right-hand man and is expected to be his steadfast supporter, believing wholeheartedly in the marriage. When it comes to suits, the best man should work closely with the groom to ensure their choices align with the wedding aesthetic and colour scheme. This may involve attending fittings, coordinating suit rentals or purchases, and ensuring timely pickups and payments.

One approach to distinguishing the groom from the best man and ushers is to have the groom and best man accessorise with ivory or white, while the other groomsmen wear a different neckwear colour. Alternatively, the best man can be dressed identically to the groom, setting him apart from the other groomsmen and signifying his important role.

The best man also plays a crucial role in ensuring the punctuality and appropriate attire of the groomsmen and ushers on the wedding day. This includes briefing the ushers on proper guest seating arrangements and coordinating any hand-offs with the ring bearer.

In addition to suit choices and coordination, the best man has a range of other duties, including planning an unforgettable bachelor party, witnessing and signing the marriage license, giving a speech, and acting as a liaison between the bride and groom.

While the role carries many responsibilities, it is an honour and a privilege to be chosen as the best man. By assisting the groom with suit choices and coordinating the ushers, the best man contributes to a cohesive and stylish wedding party, enhancing the overall experience for the groom and ensuring a smooth and joyous celebration.

The maid of honour may be asked to help find wedding vendors

The maid of honour has a wide range of responsibilities, from providing emotional support to the bride to leading the bridal party and being the main point of contact for guests. One of her key duties is to assist with wedding planning, and this may include helping to find wedding vendors.

The maid of honour's role in finding vendors will depend on the preferences of the couple. Some couples may wish to take the lead on researching and choosing vendors, while others may prefer the maid of honour to take a more active role. In either case, the maid of honour can offer support by gathering information, sharing ideas, and providing a second opinion.

When it comes to finding vendors, the maid of honour can assist in several ways. Firstly, she can help to identify and research potential vendors that align with the couple's vision and budget. This may involve reaching out to family and friends for recommendations, browsing online directories and reviews, or even attending wedding expos to discover new options.

Once a list of potential vendors has been compiled, the maid of honour can help coordinate meetings, attend consultations, and provide valuable feedback. She can also assist in negotiating contracts, reviewing details, and finalising selections. It is important for the maid of honour to maintain open communication with the couple throughout this process, ensuring that their preferences and expectations are met.

Additionally, the maid of honour can take on some of the logistical tasks associated with vendor management. This may include creating and maintaining a centralised system for vendor information, tracking payments and due dates, and following up on any outstanding items. By staying organised and proactive, the maid of honour can help reduce the stress of wedding planning and ensure that no detail is overlooked.

While the maid of honour can play a crucial role in finding wedding vendors, it is important to remember that her level of involvement should be discussed and agreed upon with the couple. Clear communication and expectation-setting are key to ensuring a positive and collaborative planning process.

The best man and maid of honour act as a support system on the wedding day

The best man and maid of honour are chosen for their closeness to the couple, and their role is to support the bride and groom throughout the wedding preparations and on the big day itself.

The maid of honour is there to closely assist the bride, helping her to choose her wedding dress and bridesmaids' gowns, and the best man will do the same for the groom, assisting with choosing suits or tuxedos and coordinating with ushers. The best man will also be a sounding board for the groom.

On the day, the maid of honour will help the bride get dressed, and will be on hand to help with any last-minute emergencies. The best man will ensure the ushers are dressed and ready, and will get the groom to the wedding on time. During the ceremony, the maid of honour will hold the bride's bouquet and help adjust her veil and train, while the best man will keep the rings safe. Both will act as witnesses and sign the marriage certificate.

At the reception, the best man is expected to give a toast, and the maid of honour may also say a few words. She will also be on hand to help the bride with her dress and veil, accompanying her to the restroom if needed.

Frequently asked questions