Hi cheery friends, a few months ago ,I was honored to be the MOH( maid of honor) at my sister’s wedding. This was my first time wearing this title ,and it was a unique and memorable experience. Being chosen as the maid of honor was an immense honor, but it also came with a bag of emotions, responsibilities, and unforgettable experiences. From the moment she said “yes” I was by her side to witness her journey to her ever after. The wedding was in Nairobi, Kenya and so there was long haul travel involved so please excuse the shopping bags under my eyes lol . So, you have been chosen to be the maid of honor and are wondering what to expect. Here is my experience.
Maid of Honor Responsibilities
- Helping the bride-to-be with wedding stuff. You may find yourself helping the bride pick her wedding dress , helping with floral choices and cake tasting. I recommend Pinterest for creating a visual board and getting wedding dress ideas , cake designs and floral decorations. Because of the distance between my sister and I, we were able to share pics and ideas on the phone. We did have a live wedding dress fitting in Dubai, and that was a lot of fun.
2. Be the bride’s cheerleader. I thought wedding planning was all fun and sticky notes on fancy bride magazines but let me tell you, there is more to it than that. When the BIG day nears, its very stressful with last minute to do lists. Add jet-lag and dress fitting scheduling and you are just about to go insane. However, for the bride’s sake, you must be there to cheer her on during all the fun and chaos. Prepare the ultimate pampering spa session with the bride and let all your worries melt away. Get mani/pedis, massages, facials before the BIG DAY kicks into high gear.
3. Hold onto that bouquet like it’s your job (because, well, it kinda is). Make sure the bride’s veil is straight, her train is on point, and she’s feeling like the queen she is as she walks down the aisle. Be mindful of the heel size you choose as you will be on your feet all day and still expected to smile no matter how tired you get. The officiant for my sister’s wedding had us stand up for the entire formal ceremony. I was in 4 inch heels and now I know I have hidden powers lol. But please don’t wear flats, soak your feet at the end of the day and be glad you wore heels . Your silhouette matters and you want great photos right?!
4. Ah, the dreaded speech moment. Practice your MOH speech for the big day, preferably in-front of a mirror to see your gestures while you speak. Share some embarrassing stories, sprinkle in some heartfelt sentiments, and raise a glass to the happy couple. Just remember to keep it light, keep it fun, and and have some facial tissues in case of waterworks!
5. Coordinate the bridal party. As the maid of honor, you are the bride’s point of contact providing them with necessary information regarding fittings, rehearsals, and other pre-wedding events. Ensure everyone is aware of their responsibilities and timelines. Thank God for Whatsapp! You can create a group just for the bridal party where you can share ideas, discuss the bridal shower and even share pics of every event you all participate in. It’s a breeze. Wow!
6. Support the bride in whichever way possible as this moment is joyous and also very overwhelming for her. Hear out her ideas, offer assistance, and be a source of encouragement during moments of stress. Go with whatever the bride wants, listen keenly and be there to hear out any issues that she may have. Don’t be afraid to kick out everyone from her room while she gets her make up done in peace.
7. Staying positive is important and you have to maintain the bridal party’s celebratory mood but at the same time be ready for any obstacles that may arise. Weddings are such emotional affairs so be ready with facial tissues in case the bride or you needs it
8. Be prepared to tackle any last-minute emergencies that pop up on the big day, whether it’s a dress zipper mishap or a missing bouquet. Carry a small purse with you with essentials that the bride may need. Make sure it fits with your dress aesthetic
9. Act as a witness to the wedding ceremony. Vows have been exchanged, and the two are now one! YAAY! Be ready to offer your name and signature as proof that you witnessed this momentous occasion.
9. On the Big Day, help the bride get into her dress, fix any stray hairs or makeup mishaps, and make sure she’s feeling like the queen she is. If she is getting additional makeup and hair touch-ups, make sure that her dress is protected by a smock
10. The most important of all is to enjoy the experience of being part of your loved one’s special day. Cherish the memories you create together and celebrate the joyous occasion with love and enthusiasm.
Thank you for reading
xoxo
TCF
You were the best MOH ever. 🥰🥰🥰