The maid of honor is traditionally the bride’s closest female friend or family member. The bride chooses this person to play a significant role in the wedding, supporting her throughout the planning process and on the wedding day. “maid of honor” typically refers to someone unmarried. In contrast, “matron of honor” refers to a married woman in this role.
Common choices for the maid of honor include:
- Best Friend: A bride often chooses her closest friend to be the maid of honor. This can be a childhood friend, a best friend from high school or college, or someone who has been a significant part of her life.
- Sister: It’s common for a bride to choose her sister as the maid of honor. Whether older or younger, a sister is often someone the bride has shared many life experiences with.
- Close Relative: A bride might also choose a close female relative such as a cousin, niece, or aunt if they share a close bond.
- Mother: In some cases, a bride might choose her mother as her maid of honor, especially if they share a close friendship in addition to a mother-daughter relationship.
The maid of honor is a deeply personal decision for the bride. It’s not always about the person’s relation to the bride, but more about their relationship with the bride. The maid of honor should be reliable, supportive, and close to the bride’s heart.