What the Maid of Honour should know before accepting..

So you have been asked to be the second most important person of the day?
To be the Maid of Honour.

To the Bride you are one of the most important persons when planning her wedding.  As the maid of Honour you probably are a special person in the Bride’s life and she wants to share her day with you from start to finish.  You’ll be expected to “be there” whenever the Bride needs you.
 

In the months to come the Brides emotions will be like a roller coaster as she will experience many ups and downs, therefore the Maid of Honour should be there to console her and help calm her down by providing comfort and encouraging words when the need arises.  The Bride will experience many happy times before the wedding and she will need to share that with a special friend.  Emotional support may be the most difficult task for the Maid of Honour. 

The fun part of being the maid of honor is the shopping and the pre wedding parties and showers.  As for the bridal shower you will be expected to hold this event.  You will be asked to plan and invite those that are attending the wedding including family and friends to the bridal shower.  Keeping track of the gift givers will be ever so appreciated by the bride when she writes thank you cards.  When planning the bridal shower remember to tell everyone where the bride and groom are registered.  This hint will be much need so the couple receives what they need or want the most.

During the wedding day the Maid of Honour should be with the bride at all times.  The Maid of Honour should be there to help her during all the wedding day appointments to helping her dress for the wedding. 

This day is the most precious moment in your best friend’s life so make sure you are there for her.  In moments of laughter and moments of tears, a simple hug might be all that is need to make all the fears go away.

What the Bridesmaids should know before accepting..

The Bridesmaid duties also plays a strong supportive role during the entire wedding experience.  Your friend will also need your comfort, support and advice as well.  Plan on being part of the planning stages to help out when asked upon.  Along with the Maid of Honour you all will be there to help the Bride and each other in many duties such as planning the shower and or bachelorette party, help write invitations, keep track of shower gifts, wedding gifts, selection of gowns, jewelry, etc.  Just being there ready to help out will be a great comfort to the Maid of Honour and Bride as she plans one of her most important days!

Expenses - What are your obligations?

Some of the traditional expenses that may be incurred as a Maid of Honour and Bridesmaid during the pre-wedding process is the cost of your dress, shoes, accent jewelry, beauty costs (hair and makeup), shower gift, wedding gift, bachelorette party.

Some of these traditional expenses may be covered by the bride and her family if she has the money and wants to chip in.

Communications is important - let the bride know if you are having some issues paying for some or all of the expenses.  Since she asked you to be in her wedding you must be special too her - if there are problems there is ways to solve them, so be open with each other.