Wedding Etiquette for the Matron of Honor

The matron of honor has a number of duties to fulfill

If you've been asked to be the matron of honor at a loved one's wedding, it's important to be aware of your duties and to practice proper etiquette to ensure that the bride's big day goes as smoothly as possible. The matron of honor can be a shared duty with a maid of honor as a bride may want to honor one married and one single friend or relative. Matron of honor etiquette also involves doing a considerable amount of behind-the-scenes work before the day of the ceremony.

Moral Support

Proper etiquette suggests that the matron of honor should provide counsel and moral support to the bride-to-be. Since the matron of honor is a woman who is already married (maids of honor are single women), she should help answer any of the bride's questions about the adjustments that are a natural part of married life. The matron of honor should help the bride to stay within her wedding budget, and to inform the bride when she is spending too much money.

Bridal Shower

Traditional etiquette also suggests that the matron of honor is in charge of planning a wedding shower for the bride-to-be. The matron of honor organizes the shower and assigns tasks to the other bridesmaids and female members of the wedding party. It is also up to the matron of honor to inform invited guests of the place(s) that the bride is registered through word of mouth or email, if this information was not included with the bridal shower invitation. The matron of honor also ensures that the bride's close female family members are formally invited to the shower, particularly the bride's mother and the bride's future mother-in-law.

Bachelorette Party

All the bridesmaids, but particularly the matron of honor, should also plan the bride's bachelorette party. This is mainly a party for the bridesmaids, although other female guests can be included. A matron of honor sees that the celebration is a reflection of the bride's personality, i.e. nothing that will make her uncomfortable. The matron of honor sees that all bridesmaids have paid any monies that should go toward food, beverages or travel arrangements for the party at least a few days before the celebration. In many cases, the bachelorette party is scheduled a few weeks before the ceremony.

Bridesmaid Attire

The matron of honor often helps the bride to find the right dresses or attire for the women in the wedding party. It is the responsibility of the matron of honor to ensure that all bridesmaids attend fittings for their dresses, and have purchased the right shoes and accessories for the wedding ceremony. The matron of honor may also be expected to confirm or book hair or spa appointments for the bridal party.

On the Wedding Day

On the day of the wedding ceremony, the matron of honor is traditionally responsible for helping the bride to get into her dress. The matron of honor sometimes helps the bride with her hair and makeup, and carries the train of her dress as she walks to the ceremony site. The matron of honor generally makes sure all is running smoothly for the bride and her maids, and makes sure that the bridal party is in place before the ceremony begins.

References

• Your Wedding 101: Maid of Honor Duties
• The Knot: Maid of Honor: Her Duties in Detail