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Matron of Honor vs Maid of Honor: Can I Have Both?

on June 08, 2023
Matron of Honor vs Maid of Honor: Can I Have Both?

 

The wedding preparations begin and right after deciding on the guests it is necessary to have clear who will hold the honorary positions within the wedding procession, but among so many special people, how to choose just one? What roles do they play in the wedding protocol?

 

Well, today we will clarify these doubts related to bridesmaids and matrons of honor, how they differ, how many to choose, why choose them and what are their roles in the wedding.

Understanding that every detail of this guide is only a cultural reference and not an imposition of any kind. Only you choose what your wedding should be.

 

Origin of the Maids of Honor tradition

The honor attendants (the Maid, Matron of Honor and the best men) were figures that were born in ancient Rome. By then, it was believed that the bride and groom were prone to be kidnapped on their wedding day by evil spirits (and rejected suitors).

To avoid this, bridesmaids were female figures who dressed just like the bride (sometimes more extravagantly) to frighten and confuse evil spirits.

In a more practical sense, maids of honor served the bride and groom during the evening, helping them with any activities that might distract them from the gala and ensure that undesirable suitors would not approach them.

 

What is the difference between a maid and matron of honor?

What is really the difference between a Maid and a Matron of Honor? In a cultural sense the Maid of Honor refers to a woman who has not yet married, while the Matron of Honor is a woman who has already married.

In reality, there is no difference in the obligations, activities or commitments of the two. Only the name (and probably the experience) differentiates them.

 

Can I have both?

Absolutely. You can choose to have a Maid of Honor and a Matron of Honor at the same time accompanying you down the aisle at the time of your wedding, after all, they are both representative figures in your life and for that reason hold that honorary position.

If it is a solution that fits your vision of the ideal wedding, you can do so without fear of breaking any written rules.

Usually, this happens when the bride chooses her best friend (or sister) and her mother for this position. Others may prefer a close sibling, in this case she would have a bridesmaid and a Matron of Honor.

 

How many Maids/Matrons can I choose?

There is no limit on the number of Maids of Honor other than what the bride deems appropriate and there should be no limit. Having more than one attendant allows the couple to concentrate on the really important things and greatly decreases the stress level associated with preparing the wedding details.

Midwives have all the knowledge they have learned from their own weddings, so their wisdom will be invaluable to you. While the Ladies or younger attendants can help with preparations such as the bridal shower and assisting guests.

In conclusion, although this is a role that should not be taken lightly or given to just anyone, the bride can choose as many as she wishes. A popular number is between 2 and 6 escorts.

 

How does this change the wedding protocol?

Not at all. The responsibilities and involvement of the Matrinas or Matrons are exactly the same. Their main tasks are to help the bride to have everything in order and to lessen the burdens of the event.

The presence of both is key, so delegating functions to each one according to their field of expertise is ideal.

At the time of the walk, you can match the entrance of the bridesmaids with that of the groomsmen, if the number does not match, both figures can go on either side of the best man, or groomsmen as the case may be.

Another option is to assign an assistant whose role is to accompany each lady to her place during the ceremony, or simply have each one walk on her own.

 

Distinctive jewelry and attire for the Matron and Bridesmaid

When it comes to distinction and attire you are likely to be faced with the scenario of wanting to highlight the look of the Maid and Matron of Honor, but without them looking uniformed or the same.

A good solution may be to include similar details in the attire such as a belt, brooch or special pendant. Combining the colors of the bouquet and the pattern of the dress, making them match without being identical is also an excellent option.

 

Maid and matron of honor speeches

A Maid and Matron of Honor (as well as a best man) have a symbolic role within the wedding ceremony as they are the "guardians" of the bride according to tradition. This implies that they have a special bond with the couple or with one of the spouses, so they deserve a special moment at the toast.

As there is no difference between a Maid of Honor and a Matron of Honor, both deserve the opportunity to give a beautiful speech, if they wish, during the dinner.

If you are preparing a speech as a Maid of Honor, you can't miss the guide we prepared for you to prepare the best Maid of Honor speech ever.

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