Maid of honor
|
|
The Maid of Honor (British English: bridesmaid) attends the bride at a wedding or marriage ceremony.
| Contents |
USA
In the USA, the bride might have several bridesmaids, but this is the position held by the bride's chief attendant, typically her closest friend or sister. If married, the title Matron of Honor is used.
This person is usually responsible for helping the bride to dress and prepare for the ceremony, to carry the groom's wedding ring to hand to the bride during the ceremony, and similar tasks.
Uganda
In Africa, especially in the Christian Church, a maid of honour's duties are similar to those in USA. However, the responsibilities of a maid of honour do not end on the wedding day. It is a life long commitment to be there for the bride, guiding her in ways that reflect what a good wife should be, encouraging her to keep fellowship with other christian women who are married so as to keep her in tune with the word of God and to enrich the new bride with different methods of overcoming challenges in marriage. This is why a maid of honour should be a Christian who is happily married. The maid of honour will then be seen as a role model and must therefore have a track record worth emulating by the newly wed bride to the joy of the new husband.
UK
In the United Kingdom, the term "maid of honour" originally referred to the female attendant of a queen. The term bridesmaid is normally used for a bridal attendant. However, when the attendant is married, or is a mature woman, the term matron of honour is more commonly used. The influence of American English has led to the Chief Bridesmaid sometimes being called the Maid of Honour.
In the UK, a "maid of honour" is also a type of small cake.