Maid of Honour Duties and FAQs

The ultimate guide for the bride's partner-in-crime!

Grab a hen do bargain, amazing packages starting from £50pp Hen Deals >

So, your best mate's getting married and she's asked you to be her maid of honour... bu-zzing!!

Your role as chief bridesmaid is to not only ensure she has the day she's always dreamed of, but also help her before and after the wedding to make sure she ticks everything off the checklist (and doesn't turn into a full-blown Bridezilla!!!).

So, pour a glass of wine, run through our definitive Maid of Honour Duties below, and get ready to be the best damn maid of honour the world (or a wedding party) has ever seen!

Before the Wedding

Invites & Announcements
Help out with arrangements like getting the mother of the bride and the other attendees to the ceremony.
Wedding Dress & Accessories
Help the bride pick the dress. Be supportive but honest (there's a fine line between helpful and rude!)
Bridesmaid Dresses & Fittings
Help organise the rabble and allow plenty of time to get the bridesmaids together for a fitting.
Help with the Wedding Planning
Lend a hand and an opinion. Act as a sounding board for the bride to bounce ideas off.
Be a Friend
Allow the bride to vent her stresses to you and help as much as you can.
Plan an Incredible Hen Party
The biggie! Speak to the bride to gauge what she wants. Read more on How To Plan A Hen Do or browse our site for more inspo and info!
Attend Rehearsals
Make sure everything runs smoothly and practice your role for the big day.
Going Away Luggage
Ensure the bride is all packed for the honeymoon or for the wedding if it's away from home.
Little Things
Help track gifts received and thank you notes, supply "something borrowed" and "something blue," be on hand with a glass of wine...

Pre-Ceremony

Help Her Get Ready
Arrive at the bride's house/accommodation and help her with hair and make-up.
Calm Her Nerves
Simply be there for her, reassure her, make sure she eats – whatever she wants or needs!
Herd the Bridesmaids
Make sure they all know where they're going and what they're doing..
Honeymoon Kit
Make sure the bride and groom have their luggage, tickets, passports, money, etc.
Check Reservations & Arrangements
Service sheets, hired cars, times, places, people. Check, double-check, triple-check!
Messenger Between Bride & Groom
Obviously, they can't see each other pre-ceremony, but they may need to get info to one another.
Emergency Bridal Kit
Safety pins, sewing gear, make-up, tissues, etc. – just in case, you're prepared for it all!
Toilet Helper (if necessary!)
Umm... yeah... not a hugely glamourous job, but someone's gonna probably need to help the bride go to the loo throughout the day (particularly if she's in a big fairy tale dress!).

The Ceremony

Get Everyone in Order
Ensure everyone is in the right position behind the bride for her entrance.
Look After the Bouquet
Hold the bride's bouquet for the duration of service once she joins the groom.
Witness the Register Signing
When the time comes, you'll go with the couple to a side room to witness the signing.
Help the Photographer
If the photographer wants some pre-wedding snaps, find the people and direct them to him/her.
Get Them in the Cars
Gather the important attendants and make sure they get to the reception.

The Reception

Receiving the Guests
You may be part of the receiving line, if there is one, to greet the guests.
The Bouquet (Again!)
You may have the responsibility of putting the bouquet somewhere safe so it doesn't get damaged.
Ensure Everyone's Enjoying Themselves
Including the bride. This really helps to alleviate concerns and makes things run smoothly!
Speech
Although traditionally a job for the best man, more maid of honours are doing one. Plan early!

The Evening Reception

Ensure Everyone's Enjoying Themselves (Again)
Including the bride. This really helps to alleviate concerns and makes things run smoothly!
Help the Bride Change
Help her change and take care of the wedding dress and bridesmaids dresses!
Dance!
You'll be needed to help get the party started and get bodies on that dance floor!
Have Fun!
This is a party, after all. Actually, scrap that, it isn't just a party, it's your best mate's wedding, and you're going to enjoy yourself because this is a moment that deserves to be celebrated!

Maid of Honour Duties Checklist

Download our free Maid of Honour Duties Checklist, pin it to your fridge and tick them off every time you reward yourself with a glass of wine for helping the bride(zilla?) complete another part of her wedding!

Download PDF

Maid of Honour FAQs

What is a maid of honour?

The maid of honour (see also maid of honor/chief bridesmaid/matron of honour) is the bridal equivalent of the best man – the bride's righthand gal who helps her through the stressful wedding planning process, arranges an amazing hen party, and ensures the big day is exactly what she's always dreamed of.

Does a maid of honour have to be married?

No, the maid of honour does not need to be married. Back in the day, the bridesmaids tended to be single, but we've all moved on from those outdated traditions and now allow married gals to walk down the aisle in style.

What do maid of honours do?

The maid of honours are the supportive soundboard every bride needs on (and in the build-up to) their wedding day. Please check our extensive maid of honour duties list above for an in-depth look at the exact roles expected of them.

Maid of honour or maid of honor?

Maid of honour is the British spelling. Maid of honor is the American spelling.

Maid of honour or matron of honour?

Maid of honour used to refer to someone who is unmarried, whereas a Matron of Honour refers to someone who is already married. However, maid of honour is now used as a blanket term for the bride's righthand gal irrespective of their relationship status because it literally doesn't matter if they're married or not (we've all moved on from those outdated times).

Is chief bridesmaid the same as maid of honour?

Yes, the chief bridesmaid is the same thing as the maid of honour. Chief bridesmaid was a term used in Britain, whilst Maid of Honour was American, but they are both interchangeable and frequently used either side of the pond to describe the same person.

Can your mum be your maid of honour?

Of course, your mum can be your maid of honour. Depending on your relationship with her, you may want to consider asking a friend to help out with maid of honour duties, such as organising the hen weekend, but if mum loves a party, there's no reason she shouldn't be organising that as well.

Does the maid of honour give a speech?

Traditionally, the maid of honour does not give a speech, but to hell with tradition – this is the 21st century, and if you want to get up and give an emotional/hilarious/tear-jerking speech, then you get up and do just that.

Where does the maid of honour stand during the ceremony?

In traditional weddings, the maid of honour will stand beside the bride during the ceremony.

Who does the maid of honour walk with?

Conventionally, the maid of honour walks down the aisle with the best man, but this can change depending on the type of wedding you're attending and what the bride/groom wants.