Definition

• The maid of honor is a person selected by the bride to be the chief bridal attendant during wedding festivities. This person is typically unmarried. A matron of honor is a married woman who follows the same role. Whether she's a maid or matron of honor, this person is usually the one closest to the bride, and might be a sister or best friend. However, brides can choose whoever they want for this position, including their mother, grandmother or a man.
  
  

Duties

• While each wedding calls for different duties, there are a few basic tasks always expected from the maid of honor. First and foremost, she should be there to support the bride. That means offering to help her with dress shopping, invitations, doing her nails, or anything else that the bride shouldn't and wouldn't want to do alone. The maid of honor is traditionally supposed to plan the pre-wedding parties, too, including the bridal shower and bachelorette party. During the wedding, she's expected to carry and fluff the bridal gown's train, greet guests at the reception before the couple arrives, sign as a witness on the wedding license and give a toast to honor the newlyweds.
  
  

Toast

• One of the most basic (and often most dreaded) duties of a maid of honor is to give a toast. This gesture is typically done during the reception, before or right after the meal. These speeches should be just a few minutes long and touch on information and stories about you and the bride. Share where and when you met, a funny experience the two of you had together or what you admire about the bride. End with why you're happy the couple is getting married and tips, advice or well wishes for the future.
  
  

Etiquette

• While being the maid of honor is an exciting and joyful opportunity, there are a few rules of etiquette to follow. To start, you should always be available to console and comfort the bride on her big day. She chose you because you're her closest friend, so be there for her when she needs you, no matter how crazy she might be acting. Most maids of honor are expected to plan and at least chip in financially for the parties leading up to the wedding; yet the most important part is to attend each and every pre-wedding function. At these events, it's proper to offer to keep a list of who gave what.