Traditional Maid of Honor Responsibilities

Traditional maid of honor responsibilities involve more than wearing a pretty dress, giving a toast, and reminiscing with the bride. Instead, the maid of honor can expect to wear a number of hats during the event: everything from therapist to event planner to stylist. There's a reason the maid of honor role is one of the most honored and respected in a wedding party. The following are just some of the many responsibilities you can expect if you have been lucky enough to be chosen for the job.

During the wedding, the maid of honor has a number of vital roles. She is the person in charge of one of the most important objects involved in the wedding: the groom's wedding ring. Additionally, she is the person who holds the bride's bouquet during the exchange of vows. The maid of honor and best man are the people who sign as witnesses on a marriage license.

The maid of honor is in charge of organizing the bridesmaids so that they know what to do and are prepared for the wedding. This means everything from helping them get dressed to walking them through the steps of the wedding and their roles in it. A maid of honor is the go-to person when it comes to making sure the bridesmaids have transportation and lodging to both the wedding's rehearsal and the actual event. Basically, she's the head honcho of the female side of the wedding.

If the bride wants a bachelorette party, the maid of honor is generally responsible for organizing such an event. If gifts are given during this event or during the wedding, the maid of honor is the go-to person for collecting and recording such items.

After the wedding, the maid of honor is expected to dance with the best man during the formal first dances. Additionally, she is expected to toast the newly married couple during the reception. In more modern times, it has become tradition for both her and the best man to give speeches commemorating the event.