Complete all duties during the ceremony, following directions, perhaps doing readings or musical performances if asked.
Stand in the receiving line and make introductions.
Pose for postwedding pictures.
Attend the cocktail party and reception, jump-starting the dancing and getting others onto the dance floor. Dance with your appointed groomsman for the first dance, and then choose your date or other partners for other dances.
Participate in special reception moments, like the throwing of the bouquet or special ethnic dances and rituals.
Help with end-of-party responsibilities like getting drunk guests safe rides home, transporting all those wedding gifts back to the bride and groom's house, and making sure nothing has been left behind.
All the way through, be there for whatever the bride needs and whenever she wants to talk.
Are you the maid of honor? Click here to find out what additonal responsibilites you have
Excerpted from
The Bridesmaid Handbook by Sharon Naylor. © 2005 Source Books.
