As a chief bridesmaid, the maid of honour is a vital part of your wedding party. Whether your head bridesmaid is traditionally classed as a maid of honour or matron of honour, or you’re picking a man of honour, their role could mean the difference between overcoming those wedding challenges and letting them ruin your special day.
With so much at stake, selecting the right person for the job is crucial. To help you choose the perfect maid or man of honour, we’re here to reveal the top qualities to look for…
Are they organised?
It’s not just your organisation skills that will be put to the test when planning the big day of your dreams. Your maid of honour has to be on hand to plan a variety of pre-wedding excursions and experiences, including that all-important hen party.
Unbeknown to most, maids of honour are traditionally in charge of organising another very special event too as Hitched explains:
“You have been officially chosen as the couple’s right-hand person, so when it comes to celebrating the engagement, you of all people need to be on hand to help with organising whatever it is the couple want. It could be planning an engagement party with them, helping them with wedding supplier enquiries and finishing touches, or a more casual drinks reception at a close family member’s home.”
Do they know you inside out?
There’s a reason why a maid of honour is usually a best friend or close sibling. Maids of honour need to know their brides pretty well to provide the level of support most need in the run-up to their big days.
Your maid of honour will need to know your preferences as well as the way you like to organise your time so they can be as hands-on as they should be throughout the wedding planning process.
Can they afford it?
It may be rarely talked about, but being a maid or man of honour can be very expensive indeed. The costs of being a bridesmaid certainly add up.
According to a recent survey, it can cost on average £408 to be a bridesmaid in the UK. Bridesmaids of today are generally expected to pay for, or at least contribute to the cost of, their dresses and accessories as well as pay their way during hen parties and pre-wedding pamper sessions.
With this in mind, making sure your maid or man of honour can afford to chip in where you deem it necessary is vital.
Do they have an eye for style?
And by this, we mean an “eye for YOUR style”. Your maid of honour will be a vital source of support during wedding dress shopping, providing the insight, enthusiasm and positivity you need to find the wedding dress for you.
They’ll also play a role in choosing your bridesmaid dresses, and should be instrumental in organising shopping and fitting sessions.
Are they supportive?
Dress shopping aside, your maid or man of honour will need to be a constant shoulder to lean (or cry!) on, which makes selecting a supportive person a must.
Can your maid or man of honour help you hold it together just before you walk down the aisle? Can they calm those jitters on the morning of your wedding day? Can they support you in keeping your cool when things get tough at any point of the wedding planning process? If the answer to these questions is “yes”, you have the right person in mind!
