Want To Be The Best Maid of Honor? Steer Clear of These Seven Common Mistakes
Getting asked to be the maid of honor at a friend or loved one’s wedding is truly that: an honor. The role is a cherished position in most weddings and offers a great opportunity for you to be there for the bride.
But, at the same time, you may encounter some pitfalls and unexpected challenges while attempting to fulfill your maid of honor responsibilities.
If you are chosen for the special role, you will want to steer clear of certain common mistakes that could put a damper on the joyous occasion and cause some strain in your relationship with the bride.
So, here’s what not to do while acting as a maid of honor.
1. Overshadowing The Bride.
Weddings are obviously celebrations of the soon-to-be newlyweds. And while your enthusiasm for the big day is appreciated, it’s crucial that you keep the spotlight on them.
One common faux pas that many maids of honor make is becoming so involved in the planning process that you inadvertently take center stage.
Remember to remain self-aware and keep a pulse on your behavior to ensure it’s appropriate and respectful.
2. Ignoring The Bride’s Wishes
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When it comes to any relationship, listening is key. And this couldn’t be truer for maids of honor looking to make the bride happy.
The bride might have some specific requests or ideas for her big day. At the same time, she may have some serious boundaries that should not be crossed.
Be sure to really hear her vision since it’s your responsibility to help make her desires come to life. Ignoring her wishes, however well-intentioned, might just lead to unnecessary stress and conflicts.
3. Taking On Too Much
It’s no secret that being maid of honor comes with a lot of pressure. At the same time, it’s natural to want to go above and beyond for someone you really love.
But biting off more than you can chew won’t just lead to stress; it can also lead to burnout.
This will deplete your mental health and put the bride’s big day in jeopardy if you make mistakes or fall short of the expectations that you set for yourself.
That’s why delegating tasks is crucial. Don’t be afraid to get the other bridesmaids involved and reach out for help when needed.
4. Neglecting The Other Bridesmaids
On a similar note, while you might be the maid of honor, that doesn’t mean the other bridesmaids don’t have a role to play.
The bride picked the rest of the women to be in her bridal party since she values them as friends, too. So, don’t exclude them if it’s not necessary.
Keep the other bridesmaids tuned into the planning process by communicating and coordinating with them. This will ensure that everyone feels included and valued.
5. Mismanaging The Bachelorette Party
Planning the bachelorette party is a traditional duty usually designated for the maid of honor. Here, listening and understanding the bride’s wants is key.
You don’t want to go too overboard and make the bride feel uncomfortable if wild isn’t her style. At the same time, you don’t want to plan too lax of an event if she’s hoping to be a bit surprised.
This is precisely why having a “check-in” with the bride about her expectations is crucial. Ask her to have a simple sit-down conversation about her vision or even have her fill out a questionnaire. Whatever helps you understand her personality and vision without sacrificing any special details of the event.
6. Failing To Keep Track Of Expenses
Every bride is different. Some may be willing to foot the bill for the bachelorette party; others may expect the maid of honor to take on the financial responsibility.
Either way, get this nitty-gritty discussion out of the way in the beginning. Make sure you are clear on financial expectations, and if the bride or other bridesmaids are chipping in, keep a running list of expenses.
Weddings cost a pretty penny, and it’s easy for budgets to spiral out of control if you’re not careful. Be diligent about accounting for your spending, and ensure the bills align with what the bride has in mind.
7. Letting Personal Issues Get In The Way
Finally, there’s no denying that being a maid of honor can be emotionally intense. Sure, you’re not planning the entire wedding, but you are essentially the right-hand (wo)man tasked with making sure everything comes together, and the bride is happy.
That’s why, if you’re having personal issues with the bride or other bridesmaids, it’s best to address them privately and up-front. Don’t let feelings get bottled up or spiral out of control since it won’t benefit anyone and will only interfere with the celebration.
Plus, if you have personal issues to tend to and don’t feel like you are able to take on a maid of honor role right now, don’t be afraid to communicate that with the bride. It’s always better to share any conflicts from the start before you get burnt out along the way.
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