The main difference between bridesmaid and maid of honor is that bridesmaid is a young woman who serves as the bride’s attendant while maid of honor is the chief bridesmaid.
Bridesmaid and maid of honor are two important roles of the bridal party in a wedding. Before selecting the right person for each role, you should know the exact difference between these two roles.
Key Areas Covered
1. Who is a Bridesmaid
– Definition, Features, Responsibilities
2. Who is a Maid of Honor
– Definition, Features, Responsibilities
3. Difference Between Bridesmaid and Maid of Honor
– Comparison of Key Differences
Key Terms
Bride, Bridesmaid, Maid of Honor
Who is a Bridesmaid
A bridesmaid is a young woman who serves as an attendant of the bride during a wedding ceremony. Bridesmaids are members of the bride’s party. In a typical Western wedding ceremony, there is more than one bridesmaid. Brides usually select someone who is very close to her as bridesmaids – sisters, cousins, best friends, etc. Traditionally, bridesmaids were unmarried young women.
Bridesmaids are only required to attend the wedding and assist the bride on the day of the wedding. Sometimes, they may be asked to help with planning the wedding and reception. In modern times, bridesmaids also attend other wedding-related events like wedding rehearsal, bachelorette party or bridal shower.
Sometimes, the bride can choose a chief bridesmaid. If she is unmarried, we call her a maid of honor, but if she is unmarried, we call her a matron of honor. A junior bridesmaid is a girl too young to be married but is included as an honorary bridesmaid. Junior bridesmaids usually have no responsibilities except attending the wedding. Furthermore, the male equivalent of bridesmaids is groomsmen. Generally, couples choose an equal number of bridesmaids and groomsmen.
Who is a Maid of Honor
A maid of honor is a chief bridesmaid. Maids of honor are usually unmarried; if they are married, we call them matrons of honor. A bridal party may contain several bridesmaids, but the title of maid of honor goes the main bridesmaid, usually the bride’s sister or closest friend. In other words, she will be the right-hand woman of the bride on the wedding day. Generally, a maid of honor is dressed the same as bridesmaids.
A maid of honor usually has many duties and responsibilities than bridesmaids. Some of these may include helping with the wedding plans, dress shopping, helping the bride to dress, keeping track of the wedding gifts, making a toast to the couple, signing the marriage license as a witness, carrying the groom’s ring, and holding the bride’s bouquet while the ceremony is taking place. She must also keep track of all other bridesmaids and make sure everyone receives updates about the wedding, keep their appointments, etc.
Difference Between Bridesmaid and Maid of Honor
Definition
A bridesmaid is a young woman who serves as an attendant of the bride during the wedding ceremony while a maid of honor is the chief bridesmaid.
Duties and Responsibilities
Maids of honor can have more duties and responsibilities than a bridesmaid.
Number
A bride can choose any number of bridesmaid, but there is usually only one maid of honor.
Marital Status
Bridesmaids can be married or unmarried, but a maid of honor is usually single.
Conclusion
The main difference between bridesmaid and maid of honor is that bridesmaid is a young woman who serves as the bride’s attendant while maid of honor is the chief bridesmaid. A maid of honor typically has more duties and responsibilities than bridesmaids.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Cheerful fiancee and bridesmaids with beautiful bouquets” (CC0) via Pexels
2. “1246307” (CC0) via Pixabay
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