Maid of Honor site: Advice, speech suggestions for the Maid of Honor

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Resources Resources for the Maid of Honor Information List of Maid of Honor Responsibilities Maid of Honor FAQ Male Maid of Honor Why I loved being a Maid of Honor Wedding Day Checklist Understanding Bride Stress Get an Attractive Bridesmaid Dress Tips for ordering Bridesmaid Dresses Cheaper Maid of Honor Dress Alterations Maid of Honor and Bridesmaid Conflict Pregnant Maid of Honor Wedding Who's Who for the Maid of Honor Maid of Honor's Guide to Wedding Shoes Maid of Honor's Advice for the Bride What the Maid of Honor Should Wear How to Be a Better Maid of Honor What the Maid of Honor Should Give the Bride Meeting Someone at a Wedding Maid of Honor's Budget Maid of Honor Dress Alteration Checklist Transporting your Maid of Honor Dress What to do at the end of the Reception What if you don't like the Groom? Long Distance Maid of Honor Maid vs. Matron vs. Man of Honor What to do with your old Bridesmaid Dress Looking better in the Wedding Pictures Maid of Honor in the Receiving Line Saying No to being Maid of Honor Is the Bride asking too much of you? Maid of Honor Timeline Top Wedding Chick Flicks Wedding Dress Info for the Maid of Honor Wedding Night Surprise for the Bride Speeches and Toasts Maid of Honor Speech FAQ How to write a Maid of Honor speech Other ways to give a Maid of Honor speech Why to give a Maid of Honor speech How to buy a Maid of Honor Speech Maid of Honor Toast: How to Write Practice Maid of Honor Speech Topics to Avoid in the Maid of Honor Speech Last Minute Maid of Honor Speech Tips Event Planning Planning a Bridal Shower Bridal Shower Structure: Main Events Bridal Shower Themes Bridal Shower Favors Jack and Jill Bridal Shower Bridal Shower: Things to Remember Two Fun Bridal Shower Activities Making a Bridal Shower Scrapbook Bridal Shower Food Suggestions Bridal Shower Invitations Bridal Shower Weekend Ideas Bridal Shower Activity: Bride Quiz! Bridal Shower Events Bridal Shower Gift Themes Bridal Shower Superstitions Who to Invite to the Pre-Wedding Events Cocktails for the Shower or Bachelorette Planning a Bachelorette Party How to Fund a Bachelorette Party Local vs. overnight Bachelorette Party Bachelorette Party Ideas Co-ed Bachelorette Party Accessories for the Bachelorette Party Cure Bachelorette Party Hangovers Renting a Limo for the Bachelorette Party Maid of Honor's Role at the Bachelorette Bachelorette Party Scavenger Hunts Las Vegas Bachelorette Parties

Maid of Honor Budget

Can You Afford to be Maid of Honor? Here's the Budget Breakdown.

Accepting your friend or sister's offer to be her Maid of Honor is a big time and emotional commitment. What you may not realize is that it will also be a significant drain on your finances. I know you want to be there for your best gal pal, but consider first whether or not your budget can support the Maid of Honor's honors!

The first thing everyone thinks of is the Maid of Honor dress. Yes, you will need to buy this more or less attractive wedding necessity! Whether gorgeous or a reject from the eighties, this Maid of Honor must-have will likely be in the $200 range (plus any alterations), but could be much more. And that doesn't include the other little details you may need to purchase. What's a Maid of Honor without fabulous shoes, necklace, professionally prepped hair and makeup? This could break any girl's bank!

After the dress, the next potentially pricey expenses come from the Bridal Shower and Bachelorette Party. The Maid of Honor is usually expected to plan these, but should share the financial load with the other Bridesmaids (in the case of the Bachelorette) and hopefully the Mother of the Bride (for the Bridal Shower). You can put these two wedding festivities together on a budget, but expect to have to shell out at least enough for drinks, dinner, and costuming at the Bachelorette Party and food, decorations, and favors at the Bridal Shower. If you're not careful, these can really add up!

And, depending on where the wedding is, the Maid of Honor will have to pay for plane tickets and hotel rooms. And beware, the Bride may expect her honorable Maid to stay at the fancy hotel with her!

Then, finally, the Maid of Honor is not exempt from that most basic of all wedding expenses, the wedding gift (oh, and the Bridal Shower gift too!).

If you find yourself in dire financial straits but don't want to disappoint your best bud, be upfront with the Bride about your situation. Explain that you'd love to be there for her as Maid of Honor, but will not be able to afford all the costs. The Bride may appreciate your honesty and politely choose someone else, or express her undying need to have you and only you be her Maid of Honor and offer to help defray some of the costs. Either way, make sure your friend realizes just how honored you are to have been asked to be her Maid of Honor.



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