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 Advice

Once asked, is it okay to say no to being Maid of Honor?

This is a very sensitive issue, and as such the answer is inevitably yes and no. On the one hand, it's considerate and fairer to the Bride to decline being Maid of Honor from the start if you know you won't have the time to meet all the Maid of Honor's responsibilities, or if you can't afford to buy the bridesmaid dress. It's better for the Bride if you're upfront and honest. On the flipside, however, it's not really that simple.

A Bride usually puts a lot of thought into who will be her Maid of Honor, and makes her selection based on who she believes she can trust and be supported by. Asking a friend or sister to be your Maid of Honor is therefore an emotional act which involves the Bride putting herself out there and saying, "You're the one I trust with something this important." The Bride may see your declining to be her Maid of Honor as an emotional or social rejection.

So basically, the short answer is that saying no to being Maid of Honor might realistically create a rift in your friendship which you will need to work hard to fix. The best answer I can give them is to serve as Maid of Honor if at all possible.

If, for whatever reason, you do need or want to decline a friend's offer to be her Maid of Honor, the important thing is to carefully explain your reasons and emphasize how much you do care about the Bride, her wedding and her happiness. Explain how honored you are to have been asked to be Maid of Honor, but why you don't think it would be fair to the Bride for you to accept such an honor. Emphasize the importance of the Maid of Honor's responsibilities and how, despite your best intentions, you do not feel you could fulfill them as well as the Bride deserves.

Then, move away from the Maid of Honor offer and demonstrate your sincere interest in the Bride's wedding plans, excitement and new Groom-to-be. As long as the Bride comes to understand you are still her friend and still want to be involved in her life, the possible rift in your friendship will hopefully be short lived.



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