Planning A Wedding: Maid Of Honor's Guide And Tips

Being a maid of honour is a great privilege, but it's also a big responsibility. You'll need to be the bride's right-hand lady, helping with everything from dress fittings to managing the bridal party. You'll be in charge of maintaining peace among the group and keeping everyone's budgets in mind. It's also your job to help the bride get ready on the day, from coordinating arrivals to adding accessories and posing for photos. You'll likely be asked to give a speech at the reception, and you may even be in charge of planning the bridal shower and bachelorette party.

Planning the bridal shower and bachelorette party

As the maid of honour, you'll be in charge of planning the bridal shower and bachelorette party. This involves reaching out to family members and bridesmaids, as well as managing the nitty-gritty of planning and keeping everyone's budgets in mind.

First, you'll need to decide on a date that works for everyone. Send out a group email or text to the bridal party to find a date that suits everyone. Once you have a date, it's time to start planning the details.

Think about the type of party the bride would want. Is she a low-key, relaxed person who would prefer a quiet dinner or a more outgoing, adventurous type who would enjoy a night out on the town? Consider the bride's personality and what she would enjoy when making your plans.

Next, create a guest list. The bridal shower and bachelorette party are typically attended by the bridal party and close friends and family of the bride. Reach out to the bride's family and friends to get their contact information and send out invitations.

When it comes to the budget, discuss with the bridal party how much everyone is comfortable spending. You don't want to plan an extravagant party that some people can't afford to attend.

Finally, start planning the details of the party. This includes deciding on a venue, food, drinks, decorations, and any activities or games. If you're planning a bachelorette party, you might want to organise some fun games or activities, like a wine tasting or a dance class. For a bridal shower, you could organise a craft activity or a fun game that celebrates the bride.

Managing bridesmaids' dress and hair and makeup appointments

As the maid of honour, you'll be responsible for managing bridesmaids' dress and hair and makeup appointments. To do this effectively, you should sync up with the bride to plan an agenda for getting dressed, doing hair and makeup, and adding any finishing touches. Communicate with the bride about their on-site beauty items and coordinate the bridal party's arrivals at the venue.

You should also be mindful of the relationships the bride has with her family and friends. It's your job to maintain peace among the bridal party, so make sure you're keeping everyone's budgets in mind and only involve the bride if you can't find a solution to a problem.

Keeping track of the bouquet and other floral accessories

As the maid of honour, you'll be responsible for keeping track of the bouquet and other floral accessories, as well as maintaining peace among the bridal party. You'll also be in charge of assigning tasks concerning any pre-wedding events and answering any questions the bridesmaids may have.

In the lead-up to the wedding, you should sync up with the bride to plan an agenda for getting dressed, doing hair and makeup, and adding any finishing touches. On the day, you'll need to arrive at the venue at a set time and coordinate the rest of the bridal party's arrivals. You'll also need to manage the bridesmaids' dress, hair, and makeup appointments, as well as communicate with the bride about their on-site beauty items.

You can also offer to help the bride with any wedding preparations, such as addressing invitations or making centrepieces or favours. As the maid of honour, you'll likely be asked to give a speech at the reception, so it's a good idea to start jotting down ideas months in advance.

Giving a speech at the reception

As the maid of honour, you'll be expected to give a speech at the reception. This is your chance to shine and make the happy couple feel special.

Start by jotting down ideas months in advance. Think about what you want to say and how you want to say it. Do you want to include any funny anecdotes about the couple? Any heartfelt moments? It's your job to not embarrass the couple, so make sure you run your speech by a few people first to make sure it's appropriate.

Spend a few weeks before the wedding finessing your speech and putting everything together. Practice, practice, practice! The more you practice, the more comfortable you'll feel when it comes time to deliver your speech. On the day of the wedding, arrive at the venue early to get ready and make sure everything is in order. Coordinate with the rest of the bridal party and manage any last-minute details.

When it's time for your speech, take a deep breath and relax. Speak clearly and confidently, and most importantly, have fun! Remember, this is a celebration, and your speech is a chance to honour the couple and share your love and support for them.

Helping the bride get into her wedding dress

As the maid of honour, you'll be the bride's right-hand lady and it's your job to ensure she's happy and relaxed on her big day. In the lead-up to the wedding, you'll need to accompany the bride to dress fittings and appointments with vendors. On the day itself, you'll be helping the bride get into her wedding dress. This is a key moment in the wedding preparations and one that the bride will want to remember, so it's important to get it right.

First, make sure you arrive at the venue at a set time to get ready. You'll be coordinating the rest of the bridal party's arrivals, so make sure everyone knows where they need to be and when. Once the bride is ready to get into her dress, help her step into it carefully, ensuring that her hair and makeup aren't disturbed. You might need to help her with any fastenings or buttons, so be prepared to lend a hand. Once she's in the dress, you can add any accessories, such as jewellery, a veil, and shoes.

It's also a good idea to have some water and snacks on hand in case the bride needs a quick energy boost before the ceremony. Take some time to pose for the bride's getting-dressed photos, which will be a lovely keepsake for her. Finally, assist with any final touches, such as corsages, bouquets, or other floral accessories.

Remember, it's your job to maintain peace among the bridal party, so make sure everyone is calm and relaxed during this process. If there are any issues or concerns, address them promptly and only involve the bride if necessary.

Frequently asked questions