Bookmark and Share

Can My Mother Be My Maid of Honor?

It’s not very traditional for a mother to be in a maid-of-honor. But I’ve been thinking of having my mom as my maid-of-honor, because she’s literally my best friend and she has always been there with advice and a caring heart. Would it be wrong to have my mom be a maid-of-honor? Or should it be close friends? – Nicole


This is a fairly easy question to answer. There’s only one rule when it come to picking the person who will stand next to you on your big day — ready for it?

The Rule: Your Maid (or Matron of Honor) should be someone who you are close to, someone you trust, and someone you know you will be able to turn to for support in the future as well.

So, that said, there are no rules saying that can’t be someone related to you. In many weddings, the bridal party includes siblings, so why not parents? I can’t say I’ve ever been to a wedding were the mother was in the wedding party, but I have been to two recently where the father served as Best Man. I think having your mother as your maid (matron) of honor is an amazing and wonderful idea that will be a cherished, lasting memory for both of you!

One suggestion I’d have, though, is to arrange for your mother to wear a different color or style then the rest of the bridesmaids (if you have more). This will help separate your mother from the other bridesmaids, so that she maintains a place of extra honor: after all — she’s more then just a Maid of Honor!

The Expert

Crystal Unrau is an experienced wedding planner who specializes in ettiquette, wedding decor, wedding fashion, wedding planning and most importantly, dream weddings on a budget. She is the owner of Wedding Style Diva.

Bookmark and Share

12 Comments in 11 Threads.  Add a New Comment »

Customize your Icon | Make a Mood Board

wrote
on January 22nd, 2009 at 2:10 pm

My mother is my best friend, but I also know her and know that she does not want to be MOH. She does not want to be standing for 30+ minutes when she can have a wonderful seat up front. I think it depends. Because if your mom loves the idea then go for it but realize what your asking her to do and if she has physical problems with her back or feet then it’s cruel to ask her to stand that long.

 
Whitney
wrote
on January 13th, 2009 at 2:06 am

I think your maid of honor should be someone who has stuck by you all your life..and honestly it’s been hard for me to find a true friend in my day besides my mother she has always been my best friend and always will be and she is gonna be my maid of honor when i get married. It’s not very common for a mother to be one where i’m from but she deserves it! Mother, sister or whatever whoever has always been there for u make them your maid of honor.

 
Jessica
wrote
on October 16th, 2008 at 7:29 pm

I just got engaged a few weeks ago and have been planning to ask my mom to be my MOH since I figured out I would probably be marrying my fiance (which I’ve known for like 2 years). She has always been there for me and is my best friend. I wanted her to have a bigger part in the day…my dad gets to walk me down the aisle, so why not have her be my number one girl for the day!!

I asked her last night, and she was very happy and emotional! She started crying and at first she was like “That is so sweet, but shouldn’t you have one of your friends?” But after I told her I had thought long and hard about it, she accepted! And let me tell you she is so excited and honored. It’s going to be so amazing to have such a special memory with her!!

 
debbie
wrote
on July 3rd, 2008 at 6:14 am
Subscribed to comments via email

can the grooms mother be maid of honour

 
Jackie
wrote
on June 16th, 2008 at 7:19 pm

I recently got engaged and started talking about wedding ideas. I never thought of having my aunt (who im very close to) as a matron of honor.. I always thought it “HAD” to be a friend so I told my friend I wanted her to be my matron of honor. Well, now I really would like my aunt to be my matron of honor because she is part of my family and really is my best friend..through it all..What do I do?

Jen
wrote
on December 10th, 2008 at 10:10 am

I’ve had many friends who pick their “best friend” at that point of time in their life…and 2 years after their wedding they never speak. SO, if you want your aunt, it’s a great idea, she’s family and you KNOW you will always be in touch because of that.

I plan on having my mother be my Matron of Honor when the day comes and I don’t care how awkward others see it, she’s my best friend, and she is going to support me and not be over bearing. So do what will make you happy!!!

 
 
Lilly
wrote
on February 6th, 2008 at 9:38 pm

Hi, I wouold like a very good friend of mine to be my maid of honor/bridesmaid. She is seven months pregnant. She’ll probably have to sit down if too much for her to stand the entire ceremony. Is it ok?

 
Nancy Thrift
wrote
on November 25th, 2007 at 10:40 am

My queston is, that my sister has asked a friend of hers at work to be the maid of honor. I am really upset because we are very close. This person is only 27 years old and my sister is 52 and this is her 5th marrage. My sister wants me to do her hair and make the cake. I know why she want this person to be the maid of honor, so my sister will get a wedding shower out of her. I love my sister and when she told me who she asked, she asked me if I was mad and I told her I was. I told her she should have asked her daughter first than me or my younger sister. Her boyfriend and soon to be mother-in-law sid she was wrong to ask the girl and should have been me. How do I handle this? I heard her say that now she is going to have to tell her friend and she said it will probably hurt the girl. What do I do?? Please help.

 
Beth
wrote
on September 11th, 2007 at 8:26 pm
Subscribed to comments via email

My aunt is my maid of honor for my Sept. 08′ wedding. I have girlfriends that are standing up. But I chose my aunt because no matter what was going on in my life, she gave me unedited advice, unconditional love, and always respect. Not sure why you would feel funny about it. A maid of honor holds a special meaning a meaning that she obviously already holds in your life. It would only be the appropriate thing to do without question.

 
Pam
wrote
on August 8th, 2007 at 11:56 am

why not! it’s your wedding, you can do whatever you want. The wedding police are not going to show up and stop the wedding after all.

 
kate maloney
wrote
on March 23rd, 2007 at 2:09 pm

can an unmarried sister of the bride be a maid of honor

 
Missy
wrote
on April 8th, 2006 at 10:15 am
Subscribed to comments via email

Hi I was wondering, my aunt is really my best friend but I do not want to make her my maid of honor because I feel funny about it. But she is making my wedding dress and helping me plan the wedding. So in all right, she should be. I do not have any girlfriends that I can rely on to help me plan it. I have always turned to her for help emotionally and she has made my prom dress and my sophmore homecoming dress. Would that be appropiate to ask her? what do you think?

 
Name (required)
E-mail (required, kept private!)
Web URL (optional!)


:D ;) :P :cry: :lol: :? :love2: :thinking: :idea: :mrgreen: more »

Photo Help

Add Photos (maximum of 3, GIF or JPG):

Playing Cards With Personalized Labels Lg Ivory Rectangular Favor Box Caricature Mint Tins Will You Be My Bridesmaid? Gourmet Chocolate Bridesmaid
Snowflake Bookmark Favors Silver Butterfly Candle Holder/Cardholder Personalized Bridal Party T-Shirt Sm. Ivory Rectangular Favor Box
  See All Today's Most Popular Favors »
Shop for Favors by Color

What You Said

Related Posts

Popular Articles

New Blog Posts

Popular Today

New...

Shop Now For

Themes & Favor Ideas

Learn About

Bridal Freebies

FavorIdeas @Twitter


twitter / FavorIdeas

Shop for Black & White Favors Shop for Brown Favors Shop for Purple Favors Shop for Red Favors Shop for Pink Favors Shop for Orange Favors Shop for Green Favors Shop for Aqua Favors Shop for Silver Favors Shop for Gold Favors Shop for Ivory Favors