Maid of Honor: Her Duties in Detail

Your best friend is getting married, and she has asked you to be the maid of honor. You have accepted, and now you're wondering what you are supposed to be doing.

First and foremost, you will be there for her every step of the way. From picking the ceremony and reception location to taking the gifts home when it's all done - she will be counting on you. Be there for her, keep her calm when her schedule gets crazy; offer to take on some of the smaller tasks like getting addresses for the invitations or scheduling hair and makeup appointments. Be available to her, and remain patient.

One of the most important events you'll want to be there for is when the bride goes to buy her wedding gown. Be sure to take a camera so you can get pictures of her in the dress from all angles. Offer her some dress choices that she normally wouldn't give a second glance. Too often, a Bride will overlook a dress because she thinks it looks ugly hanging on the rack but once she puts it on, she discovers that it is THE dress.

As the maid of honor, it is also your responsibility to plan and host the bridal shower and bachelorette party. For the bridal shower, you'll need to get together the guest list, mail the invitations, recruit the other bridesmaids to help, decide if you will serve food and if so, what kind of food, and arrange for party games. The bachelorette party can either be a wild night out on the town or a girl's weekend spa retreat. Your options are limitless, but be sure you get a general idea of what your bride has in mind. Your to-do list for the bachelorette party is basically the same as the bridal shower. If you decide to do a weekend getaway, you will need to research prices and make sure it's something that is within everyone's budget. For a crazy night of bar hopping, stop by a novelty store and pick up a few party favors. Make sure the bride gets home and in bed safely.

On the big day, you will need to be there to help the bride get ready. If she doesn't feel like having visitors, you can keep everyone out of the room until she is ready. During the ceremony, make sure her dress and veil are straight so she doesn't trip over them. It is tradition for the Maid of Honor to give a speech during the reception. Most speeches are heartfelt stories about the Bride and Maid of Honor's friendship over the years.

No matter the size of the wedding, your job will be one of the most important. You have been trusted with the safekeeping of your best friend's memories. Have fun and enjoy the day.