The Difference Between A Bridesmaid And A Maid Of Honor, And How To Pick Them

PHOTO BY KATENDE MUHAMMAD PHOTOGRAPHY FIND HIM ON THE WEDDING WOLF, USE HIM FOR UR WEDDING

Choosing a bridal party can be fun and stressful at the same time, you always want the best girls around you and they could be your girlfriends, sisters or distant relatives, this is as a result of expectations among friends and family depending on how strong your bond is with them.

What do you need to fill those important spots?

Is it your longtime friend from school or the ones you see every day?

Is it someone for whom you were a bridesmaid or a distant cousin you love so much?

Do you want a big number of bridesmaids or a small one?

There is a lot to consider and remember that the first person to come to mind may not necessarily be the best option.

What does a bridesmaid do?

A bridesmaid is a member of the bridal party, they tend to be a sister, cousin or close friend.

There is no limited number of bridesmaids but couples usually choose the same number of attendants both for the bride and groom.

Their roles could include;

Addressing and stuffing envelopes for the invited guests.

Going dress shopping with the bride and maid of honor.

Getting involved in creating personalized ceremony programs or making décor elements for the reception.

They can also help with tasks such as recording details of gift givers during events such as the engagement party.

They can also help in receiving gifts from the guests on the actual wedding day.

They help serve cake to invited guests in cases where cakes are not placed on every table.

On the big day, they will assist the maid of honor in looking after the bride, look after attendants, circulate at the wedding to ensure guests feel included, they also dance with the groomsmen and answer to the guests needs if the need arises.

What does the maid of honor do?

The maid of honor serves as the chief bridesmaid. She acts as the bride’s key personal attendant both during the engagement and on the big day, with the main aim of reducing stress whenever possible and lend a hand or opinion where it’s needed.

Traditionally the maid of honor hosts events such as the bridal shower or kitchen tea. She can also help and delegate to bridesmaids whenever a hands on effort is needed, for example if the favors are being homemade.

On the wedding day itself, her duties range from helping the bride get dressed. Making sure she eats something and holding her bouquet during the ceremony through to signing the certificate and helping the bride with whatever she may need.

She also dances with the best man during the couple’s first dance, takes charge in any moments that need a soothing hand and may also make a speech or toast.

Usually she dresses the same as the bridesmaids, although some brides will reflect her status with a different color, piece of jewelry or slightly different dress design to make her stand out from the bridesmaids.

Note that if she is married, the correct term is matron of honor.

How to choose your bridesmaids.

There are many factors that go into choosing such as friendships, family ties, sentimentality, returning the favor or doing the right thing.

They are all very important to consider in varying degrees.at the end of the day you make the best choice knowing they will be in your memories forever.

How to choose your maid of honor.

Sisters and best friends are usually the obvious candidates considering you need somebody who knows you intimately, someone you can trust and can also bring you back down to earth on the odd occasion you need it.

They also have to be very patient since they will be your right hand girl when wedding responsibilities add up or you get overwhelmed and need tissues or hankies or even a hug.

They need aside from love and trust, to be available whenever needed.

You will need your MOH to join you in activities such as cake tasting, venue hunting on top of all usual responsibilities ranging from dress shopping to planning celebrations such as bridal shower.

She can also help in deciding themes, color themes, reception decorations and more.

It’s better to pick someone who also has an eye for style and shares your tastes as it makes everything easy.

Finally if your MOH has a good relationship with the bridesmaids its wonderful because she can easily direct them as they need to key dates and responsibilities such as hair and make-up trials and jewelry shopping. She will also ensure they are in their best form on the big day to help make it a magical celebration, which is why the attendants are needed in the first place.