What is the point of a "Maid of Honor" at a wedding?

Question

And how old/young can you be to be it?

Answer 1

First, a maid of honor can be any age, although she is usually not a child (that doesn't mean she couldn't be, though). If the woman is married, she is called a "matron" of honor.

She is the bride's correspondent to the groom's "best man" - she assists the bride in preparing for the wedding, serves as her witness and attendant at the ceremony, and often gives a toast to the couple at the reception. She can be as involved or not-involved in the actual preparations as the bride wishes.

Really, her point is to be there to support the bride, her very dear friend, on her wedding day.

Answer 2

The maid of honor is someone who holds a high position in your life.  A person that you would honor - someone who knows you very well.  My understanding is the maid or honor and the best man act as witnesses to your ceremony and if it is a religious ceremony the maid of honor is to help you keep your marital vows even when you may not feel like it.  It is a person whose opinion you respect and know that they have wisdom and will guide you in the right direction...not the direction that feels good but the direction that is ethical.  

I guess anyone of any age could be a maid of honor - I think it is personal preference

Answer 3

Maid of honor

In the United Kingdom, the term "maid of honour" originally referred to the female attendant of a queen. The term bridesmaid is normally used for all bridal attendants in the UK. However, when the attendant is married, or is a mature woman, the term matron of honour is often used. The influence of American English has led to the chief bridesmaid sometimes being called the maid of honour.

In North America, a wedding party might include several bridesmaids, but the maid of honor is the title and position held by the bride's chief attendant, typically her closest friend or sister. If she is married, the title matron of honor is used. In modern day weddings some brides opt to choose a long-time male friend or brother as their head attendant, using the title man of honor.

The activities of the principal bridesmaid may be as many or as varied as she allows the bride to impose upon her. Her only required duty is to participate in the wedding ceremony. Typically, however, she is asked for help with the logistics of the wedding as an event, such as addressing invitations, and for her help as a friend, such as attending the bride as she shops for her wedding dress. Many brides expect a chief bridesmaid to arrange and pay for a bridal shower as well as the bachelorette party (US) or hen's night (Australia and UK).

On the day of the wedding, her principal duty is to provide practical and emotional support. She might assist the bride with dressing and, if needed, help the bride manage her veil, a bouquet of flower, a prayer book, or the train of her wedding dress during the day. In a double-ring wedding, the chief bridesmaid is often entrusted with the groom's wedding ring until it is needed during the ceremony. Many brides ask bridesmaids, if they are adults, to be legal witnesses who sign the marriage license after the ceremony.

You should be old enough and responsible enough or supervised by an adult to be a MoH but there is no age requirement.

Answer 4

The point of a Maid of Honor is too help the bride with anything she may need during the planning process and on the actual wedding day.  Her duties may include; holding the bouquet during the ceremony, fluffing the brides dress before the processional, helping with setup, etc.

Basically she holds the role of "wedding planner/personal assistant" in the event that a bride does not hire a wedding planner.  The bride then in turn "honors" the "maid" at her wedding by having her stand next to her during the ceremony.

Hope it helps!

Answer 5

Maids of Honor are to be the closest person to the bride. they usually help with wedding preperations and even help the groom with some surprises sometimes. a Maid of Honor needs to be old enough to handle a lot of responsibility.  

Answer 6

The only age restriction is that if the Maid of Honour is going to be signing the marriage license she must be age of majority in that jurisdiction, as it is a legal document.

And if she is married she (obviously) can't be a "Maid" of Honour (something about hopefully not being a maiden...), so she is referred to as the Matron of Honour.

Answer 7

The Maid of Honor is the person you feel the closest to. For example, if you had to just pick one attendant to stand  up with you at the altar, she (or he) would be that person.

Traditionally, the MOH helps the bride a lot. As in, runs errands with her, helps with last minute arrangements, coordinates the shower/bachelorette party, and is there for the bride on the wedding day. So typically, brides will pick someone who they can rely on the most.

However, I think this tradition is a little silly. I don't expect to ask someone to be in my wedding party, and then make them run all kinds of errands and be my slave for the next year. I just expect that they listen and offer advice when I have a problem, make sure they order their dress on time (as with the bridesmaids) and overall just support our marriage.

I don't think there's an age limit. Most brides will pick someone a little older (as in, over 21) because of the planning that it often entails. however, I picked my sister (even though she's the most irresponsible person ever, God bless 'er), but there's no one else I'd rather have. She just turned 21.

Answer 8

Maid of honor is your best unmarried friend: Job...most importantly to keep you looking your best for your photos by straightening your veil and train

Made of honor is your best married friend

both help you with any odd jobs such as last minute gift boxes at midnight before the wedding, or a go between between you and the other bridesmaids. and to help plan bachlorette and bridal showers as well

Answer 9

She does what the bride needs her to do. Maid of Honor stands with the Bride and is unmarried herself, vs Matron of Honor who is married.

Answer 10

A maid/matron of honor should be someone who is capable of making decisions on your behalf. Basically, if you're not there she needs to know you well enough to make the choice for you. Also, it's really her job to keep to calm and low stress on your big day. Again, she needs to know you well enough to realize when you need some help.

As for an age, I think that's up to you. You know what you're going to saddle her with, can she handle it?