Maid of Honor and Best Man

The Maid of Honor (MOH)

The Maid of Honor's (MOH) responsibilities include:

• Attending all prenuptial parties.
  
• Help address invitations and announcements.
  
• Entertain a party for the bride and groom…if possible. This could be a couple's shower.
  
• Assist bride with going away clothes and luggage.
  
• Be sure that bridesmaids are kept aware of their fitting appointments, rehearsal obligations and any special duties that the bride may wish for them to do.
  
• Arrange with a florist for a supply of rose petals to shower on the bride and groom as they leave. If a flower girl is in the party, she is responsible to see that the child knows when and how to do this.
  
• Arrive at the church or home of the bride early enough to help with bride and bridesmaids with dressing (at least 2 hours early).
  
• Remind the best man which ladies will be wearing their flowers (Mother, grandmothers, organist, soloist, hostesses, etc.).
  
• Assist bride with her train during ceremony and in the receiving line.
  
• Hold the bride's wedding bouquet for the exchange of rings during the ceremony and hand it back just before the recessional.
  
• In a double ring ceremony, carry the groom's ring until it is time to hand it to the minister.
  
• Assist the photographer with identification of the members of the bridal party and later for pictures, which are taken at the church and reception. Be sure to find the kind of candid shots the bride may want of the out-of-town guests. Be certain the photographer has taken an appropriate number of these candid shots.
  
• Witness and sign the marriage certificate after the ceremony.
  
• Stand in the receiving line. The traditional place to stand is at the groom's left side with her bridesmaids to her left.
  
• Assist the bride when she is ready to change into here going away ensemble.
  
• With the best man, help the couple depart.
  
• See that the bride's gown is taken care of according to her wishes. Usually taken to the bride's home or to a cleaner.

Remember, this is the bride's day. Your job is to assist the bride and help her day be as carefree and special as possible. As a maid of honor, you should set the tone among the women in the bridal party. Stay cool and never out shine the bride. It truly is an honor to serve.

The Best Man

The Best Man's responsibilities include

• Make absolutely sure that the groom has the marriage license with him.
  
• Receive the minister's fee from the groom and give it to the minister privately following the ceremony.
  
• Help the groom pack for his honeymoon.
  
• Help the groom dress for the ceremony.
  
• If a ring bearer is to be in the wedding, the Best Man is responsible to oversee the child and be sure he understands his duties. (See note below)
  
• Assist with luggage arrangements for both the bride and the groom so that everything will be ready for their departure.
  
• Make sure car or travel arrangements are set and that the groom is carrying any necessary reservations, tickets, money and travelers checks.
  
• The Best Man will want to ride to the church with the groom.
  
• It is the Best Man's responsibility to make sure the ushers are together and ready before the ceremony begins. Many weddings have been delayed by dilly dallying ushers who are either cutting up to relieve the tension they feel or are out having the last quick puff on a cigarette.
  
• Alert ushers as to the ladies who will be wearing flowers and make sure they are not seated before receiving them.
  
• Check all the men's boutonnieres. These should always be worn on the left lapel, stem down.
  
• Perform any task or errand the groom or the bride's mother may request at the church.
  
• If applicable, remind the groom to remove his gloves as the bride comes down the aisle.
  
• Be first at the reception in order to welcome the bride and groom.
  
• The Best Man is responsible to make the first toast to the bride and groom at the wedding. The Best Man is also responsible to make the first toast at the rehearsal dinner.
  
• The Best Man should act as a host, making introductions when necessary and helping to make the guests feel welcome.
  
• The Best Man should dance at the reception with the bride, both mothers and as many of the bridal attendants and guest as possible.
  
• Help the groom change into his travel clothes after the reception. Find out when the bride is ready to leave and with the maid/matron of honors, help the bride and groom depart.
  
• Return the groom's tuxedo to the tux shop or if it belongs to the groom, be responsible for taking it to the cleaners.
  
• Order flowers for the bride and groom's room at the first stop of the honeymoon trip.
  
• Another responsibility of the Best Man may include the signing of the marriage certificate. This is not only a legal document but also a beautiful keepsake for the couple. Many times, the Best Man is not aware that his signature may be required and he may be off with the guests.
  

*Note about ring bearer: The Best Man has the responsibility of carrying the bride's wedding ring. However, many times the couple will also want to have a ring bearer. We recommend that the "real" ring be kept safe in the pocket of the Best Man. Why? Just remember the boy with stage fright who never made it down the aisle…or even better, the ring bearer who argued with the Best Man when he tried to remove the ring and then cried his eyes out when the Best Man took it away.

Source: Wedding Etiquette from www.ourmarriage.com