On the wedding day, they may stand up there with the bride and groom, but like the couple, the best man and the maid of honour go through a lot to be there.
They’re responsible for planning the bachelor and bachelorette parties and bridal shower respectively. But there is so much more to their duties than that, said Allison Turner, an Ottawa wedding and event planner and owner of Live, Love, Plan.
“I think they are very important in terms of support,” said Turner of the roles.
“There’s nothing like a girlfriend’s support or a guy coming through for you, throughout the planning process, and then on that day. They’re the sounding board for the couple, and take a bit of pressure off of them.”
People shouldn’t underestimate the role when they agree to take it on, she said.
“I’ve seen it where people don’t live up to the occasion and seen the disappointment.”
The roles haven’t changed too much over the years despite changes in wedding trends, said Turner.
The maid of honour also helps the bride with dress on her wedding day, and helps with touchups to her hair and makeup.
The best man is responsible for the rings.
One thing that has changed is who stands next to the couple at the altar, said Turner.
“Males are asked to be the ‘maid of honour’ and females are being asked to stand up on the groom’s side as well,” she said. “The bride and groom are asking who’s closest to them to stand up with them, no matter the gender.”
