When it comes to weddings, things can be a little confusing sometimes. And that’s especially true if you’re the bride. There are a lot of things to juggle at once. Similarly, there are duties and tasks galore. Let’s not mention a roller coaster of emotions, amidst the chaos too.
For that reason, weddings are blessed with a beautiful aspect known as the maid of honor. Along the side, there’s another confusing term called the matron of honor. And believe it or not, they’re both two completely different terms.
Below, we’re jotting down the simple difference amongst the two. Likewise, we’re enlisting their responsibilities so that you can use them on your bridal squad too.
Maid of honor vs. Matron of honor –the subtle difference between the two
You can think of the Maid of Honor as the bride’s right hand, who is unmarried. Be it the engagement or the big wedding day, the maid of honor is in charge of leading all the bridesmaids to their duties.
On most occasions, the bride usually gives her best friend, a loved one, or any other close acquaintance this title.
Matron of honor is a whole other ballgame altogether. Here, the matron of honor is the term reserved for the head bridesmaid. But in this case, she’s married.
Can the bride have a maid of honor and a matron of honor?
Anything is possible at weddings. After all, it is your big day and you’re responsible for calling the shots. Above all, large wedding gatherings are as successful as your wedding party selection. So do choose wisely.
Similarly, some weddings even have more than one maid of honor and matron of honor. And that’s ok too. Remember, it’s all about task delegation and knowing what you want and from whom.
What are the responsibilities for a maid of honor and the matron of honor?
The maid of honor and the matron of honor have plenty of responsibilities on their shoulder. And if you actually look at it all in detail, there’s no true difference in the actual duties themselves.
These individuals need to step up to the plate and serve as true leaders. Similarly, they need to host bachelorette events, the main bridal shower, alongside other wedding related projects.
Other than that, a major task revolves around delivering the all important speech at the reception too. The list is truly endless. But when there are two at a wedding, the maid of honor vs. the matron of honor, it gets so much easier.
You can give the bachelorette planning to one, while the other engages in the shower. Similarly, one can help with the guest list and invites while the other accompanies you on shopping errands. At the end of the day, it’s less pressure for all those involved.
Who wears what?
Can the matron of honor wear the same thing as maid of honor? Well, of course they can! But it’s probably not the best idea for modern day weddings. You certainly don’t want one to dim the other’s shine.
However, it’s a good idea to come up with clothes that differentiates them from the bridesmaids. Hence, you can color code it or every style codes it. Sometimes, you might want to focus on other details like different patterns, bouquet colors or colorful accessories. The choice is all yours.
Walking down the aisle –who comes first?
In traditional wedding protocols, the maid of honor or the matron of honor is most likely the last to walk down the wedding aisle, right before the bride. She can walk alone, if the maid of honor, or with her partner, if the matron of honor.
In cases where there is a maid of honor and a matron of honor, both the ladies may choose to walk together. On some occasions, they can even walk with the best man as a trio.
Verdict 101
As far as maid or matron of honor is concerned, it’s all about relationships and finding the ultimate role for the perfect person. Remember, a little research goes a long way before you start handing out positions. And no matter how tough situations may be, don’t forget to smile along the way. Happy wedding!
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