Complete List of Duties for Maid of Honor

Being asked to be a Maid of Honor is a major moment—your bestie is getting married! If you haven’t been to a wedding before but want to ensure you can be the best maid of honor possible to your best friend, we’ve outlined a complete guide of MOH duties to help every step of the way, from pre to post-wedding festivities.

Complete List of Duties for Maid of Honor

Before the Wedding

Many of the major Maid of Honor duties take place leading up to the wedding, such as planning the bachelorette party, keeping tabs on the other bridesmaids, going dress shopping, and planning the bridal shower. Remember, as a MOH, a bulk of your involvement and planning will be required here!

1. Celebrate! 

Being the maid of honor is all about hyping up your best friend and giving them the support they need. Celebrate all the little moments, including getting stand next to them on their big day!

2. Be The Bride Tribe for Dress Shopping

Joining the bride at her dress appointments is a time-honored Maid of Honor duty. Offer honest feedback, but remember—her happiness comes first! Also, it might be your job to help remind the family that it’s the bride’s big day!

3. Plan the Bachelorette Party

Whether the bride wants a wild weekend getaway or a low-key gathering, it’s your job to organize the bachelorette party that fits her personality. This includes everything from coordinating details, manage RSVPs, and keep everyone on track financially. It’s one of the biggest duties of the maid of honor, but the bride will forever be thankful for your effort and planning!

4. Coordinate the Bridal Shower

Typically, you’ll host or co-host the bridal shower. This involves everything from picking a theme to organizing games and ensuring gifts are collected and recorded. Reach out to the bride’s mother to see if she’d like to co-host or help plan the bridal shower. Many times the family also wants to be included in planning the bridal shower!

5. Manage the Bridesmaids

Keeping bridesmaids in sync with schedules and expectations (like fittings and rehearsal dates) is a key responsibility. You’re the bride’s go-to for making sure her squad stays organized. This can be an easy or demanding job, depending on how many bridesmaids are involved! If there is drama in the bridesmaid group, try to keep the bride out of it as much as possible.

The Week of The Wedding

Now that you’ve made it to the week of the wedding, it’s all about being the support system needed for the couple! Be up for last-minute store runs, coming up with solutions to last-minute problems, and treat the bride to little things that will help her destress. Perhaps surprise her with a massage or one last girls night before the big day!

6. Attend the Rehearsal and Dinner

Be present at the rehearsal and the rehearsal dinner. Help with any last-minute prep, and ensure everyone knows their responsibilities for the big day.

7. Create an Emergency Kit

Pack a survival kit with essentials like safety pins, stain removers, tissues, and mints. Trust us—this will come in handy!

Wedding Day Duties

The big day is here! Wedding days come with a lot of emotions, and you’ll be there next to your bestie for the entire day to help make sure it goes off without a hitch.

8. Help the Bride Get Ready

Assist with hair, makeup, and getting the bride into her dress. It’s also your job to keep the energy positive and calm as nerves start to kick in.

9. Hold the Bride’s Bouquet

During the ceremony, you’ll take the bouquet from the bride and hold it until the couple is pronounced married.

10. Manage the Train and Veil

Make sure the bride’s dress looks flawless. Adjust her train and veil when needed, especially during photos or before the ceremony starts.

11. Sign the Marriage License

In many cases, the Maid of Honor is asked to sign the marriage license as a witness. Be sure to double-check the details before the big day!

12. Keep the Bride Hydrated and Fed

It’s easy for brides to get caught up in the excitement and forget to eat. Make sure she stays hydrated and grabs a bite between photos and festivities.

13. Give a Speech or Toast

Prepare a heartfelt speech or toast for the reception. Keep it short, sweet, and focused on the couple’s love story.

After the Wedding

After the wedding has wrapped, there are just a few more details to handle before you can step away from your Maid of Honor duties!

14. Help with the Dress and Gifts

Assist the bride with changing out of her wedding dress and ensure gifts and personal belongings make it to the right place.

15. Coordinate Post-Wedding Plans

If the couple leaves for their honeymoon right away, help coordinate any final logistics—such as transporting decor, returning rentals, or checking in with vendors.

Being a Maid of Honor isn’t just about checking off tasks—it’s about being the bride’s rock throughout her journey to “I do.” With this guide in hand, you’re ready to take on the role with confidence and make her wedding unforgettable.