You will have both chosen your best man and maid of honour for the day either separately or together. The duties of the best man and the maid of honour seem fairly obvious, however, the chosen ones may never have done this before, so to make sure that mistakes are not made on the day, or that vital things are not forgotten, we have compiled a list of the main duties for both of the chosen two!!

For your Maid of honour:

In History a Maid of Honour was a maiden, i.e. an unmarried woman and usually young, Lady Jane Grey, for example, served as a Maid-of-Honour to Queen Catherine Parr in about 1546-48, when Jane was only about ten to twelve years old. Overtime though it has become the role of a close friend or relative but one who remains unmarried but not so young.

The bulk of the duties that the maid of honour has are decided upon by the bride. The maid of honour acts as a personal assistant of the bride (within reason!!) on the run-up to the big day, helping with the smallest things that help the bride to be relaxed and organised. More traditional duties follow below.

Organising a hen party for the bride, a week before the wedding (you don't want it within three nights of the wedding really because you want to be looking your best and you want when you're hung-over wanting to stay in bed!!).

On the day, the maid of honour is in charge of dressing you, the bride, and ensuring that you are happy and everything is taken care of.

At the church door, the maid of honour meets you, the bride, and organises all of the other bridesmaids.

Before you are going to walk down the aisle, the maid of honour will arrange your veil and the train on your dress.

During the service, you will pass the bouquet to the maid of honour.

After the ceremony and the reception/party, when you and your husband will usually change out of your wedding dress to go on your amazing honeymoon. The maid of honour is responsible for the dress and ensuring that it is kept clean and looked after.

For your Best Man:

The organisation of the stag party, not a good idea to have it the night before the wedding day as you want your husband in the church on time and not on train to some distant place!

Organising the Ushers on the day and making sure that the wedding rings are safe.

Responsible for getting the groom to church (an on time).

Take charge of the ring and hand it to the groom in the ceremony.

Organise any transport for guests from the church or registry office to the Reception.

Make a brief speech and read any telegrams and thank the Groom for his toast to the Bridesmaids.

Take the Grooms formal wear for return to the hire company at the end of the reception if necessary.

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