Matron of Honour in Training

So in case you’re wondering, I was, here is a description of what the Matron of Honour should be doing in the lead up to the wedding and on the wedding day itself.

In the lead up to the day

• Assist the Bride-to-be in her planning. Attend wedding shows and venue/supplier visits, help plan the wedding theme, wedding favors and table settings, assist in making and sending out invitations if required, and most importantly go wedding dress shopping with the Bride to be and give her your honest opinions (as gently as possible if necessary).
• Coordinate with the bridesmaids and bridal attendants.  You will get them all together and get them involved in your plans for the bridal shower or hen’s (bachelorette) party by delegating important tasks to each one of them.
• Ensure that all pre-parties including the engagement party and rehearsal dinner runs smoothly
• Host a bridal shower/hen’s party.  Planning and hosting the hen’s party is one of the highlights of the duty of the matron of honor.  You have to make this event a memorable one for the bride-to-be as this is her last big night out (or in) as a single woman.
• Attend the rehearsal dinner to help ensure everything is in order
• Prepare a speech for the bride and groom.

On the day

• Help the bride get dressed.  As the matron of honor, you have to be early during the big day to assist the bride and ensure she looks radiant and beautiful on her big day.
• Ensure that the reception decorations are all set accordingly as well as the flowers and dresses. Make sure everything goes according to plan and keep any stressful information away from the bride unless absolutely necessary.
• Ensure all the bridesmaids are present  and ready in time for the wedding
• Ensure that the guests are all comfortable and well-entertained
• Stay at the bride’s side most of the time to ensure she gets all the assistance she needs, from adjusting her veil, holding her bouquet, retouching her make-up, straightening her dress and any other little things.
• Sign the marriage licence
• Dance with the best man at the reception
• Organise the bridesmaids to open the wedding presents and note on cards what was given from whom
• Ensure the presents are taken from the venue and delivered to the newlywed’s home the next day

After the Big day

• Take care of the bride’s gown after the ceremony. This implies you should have it professionally cleaned, and store it correctly till she returns from the honeymoon.
• Help with the thank you cards