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Once you’ve figured out who you’ll invite to join your wedding party, it’s time to narrow down the nominees for your maid of honor. But how is a bride to choose amongst all those close friends and family members? If you have more than one person in mind who fits all of your MOH needs, you may find yourself wondering if it’s okay to double up. The answer is: Yes!
“You do you!” says Phoebe Chen, owner and lead planner of Brooklyn-based wedding planning company B’burg Events. “If you have two people in your life that you want to be MOHs, go for it. If it’s what’s right for your wedding, it’s for you.”
Meet the Expert
Phoebe Chen is the founding owner and lead event planner of B’burg Events, a wedding planning company in Brooklyn.
In fact, one solution is to choose both a maid of honor and a matron of honor to stand by your side on the big day. But what are the key differences between a maid of honor and a matron of honor, anyway? And how can you include them in your wedding so they both stand out? Below, we have the answers.
Maid of Honor vs. Matron of Honor
First thing’s first: What’s the difference between a maid of honor and a matron of honor? “Traditionally, the difference between a maid of honor and matron of honor is based on relationship status,” says Chen. A maid of honor is unmarried, while a matron of honor has already had a wedding of their own. Their roles are the same; the difference is purely in semantics. Simple, right?
Can You Have Both?
While either version of a MOH is definitely, well, an honor, that doesn’t mean you have to restrict yourself to just one. Especially in a large bridal party, having two MOHs, married or not, can be incredibly useful when it comes to keeping the rest of the gang in line. And think about it: Your 18-year-old sibling will be a fabulous maid of honor (no one tells it like it is the way a sibling does), but having your already married best friend serve as matron of honor will give you access to all of the tips and tricks they picked up while they were planning their own wedding.
If your maid of honor is underage and your matron of honor is over 21, ask the younger of the two to focus on your bridal shower while the other helps with the bachelorette festivities.
Your two MOHs can either work together on all of their responsibilities, such as planning your bachelorette party or bridal shower and helping with DIY projects, or you can chat with them to divide the tasks into ones that fit each person best. A long-distance maid/matron of honor may be helpful for your bachelorette party, but won’t be able to help stuff envelopes or assemble favors—which would be a great task if one of your MOHs lives close by.
Most importantly, says Chen, “Rely on your MOHs to delegate tasks to your wedding party. Delegation when it comes to your wedding plans is crucial. Your squad is there to help, so let them!”
How To Include Both in Your Wedding
If you’ve elected two people to the role, regardless of marital status, there are a few things you’ll want to keep in mind. First, instead of one outfit that stands out from the crowd, you’ll need two. You could opt to have your MOHs both wear the same differentiating detail, or have them distinguished from the bridesmaids and from one another. That could mean having both MOHs wear the same bejeweled belt or carry matching, slightly different bouquets with unique pops of color. Chen also suggests incorporating a special headpiece or hair clip that gives them that extra shine.
If you’re going for something a little more eye-catching, like bridesmaids in solid colors and your MOH in a print, have both MOHs wear the same print in different silhouettes, or ask them to choose two coordinating (but not matching) prints that fit your palette.
Two MOHs also means two important walks down the aisle—well, important until you make your grand entrance, that is. Typically, the maid of honor walks down the aisle with the best man. If you have two MOHs but only one best man, you could either have him escort both MOHs down the aisle or tap another VIP (such as one of your brothers) to serve as a second escort.
Or, says Chen, “Go solo! The maid of honor, matron of honor, and best man can each walk down the aisle separately. Plus, it’s an extra nod to their special role in your wedding party.”
Whether you are having your bridesmaids and groomsmen walk separately or together, there’s no protocol as to whether the matron or maid of honor stands closer to the bride at the altar (and therefore walks last). If one is a sibling and the other is a friend, most brides will opt to have their sibling stand closest, even if they aren’t yet married. To help them stand out, Chen suggests having the MOHs stand by your side while the rest of your bride squad takes a seat by the altar.