Can You Have Two Maid of Honors? 

Planning a wedding is full of exciting decisions, and one of the most personal is selecting who will stand by your side on your big day. Traditionally, a bride has one maid of honor (MOH) to help with the planning and to support her on the day of the wedding. But what if you’re blessed with more than one close friend or sister who feels like the perfect fit? Can you have two maid of honors?

The short answer is yes, absolutely! You can have two maids of honor, and it’s becoming increasingly common. However, there are a few things to consider when navigating multiple maid of honor roles, from dividing responsibilities to understanding proper wedding etiquette. In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about having two maids of honor.

How Common Is It to Have Two Maids of Honor?

While having a single maid of honor has been the tradition for generations, modern weddings are all about personalizing every aspect to reflect your relationships, style, and values. Having two maids of honor is becoming more common as brides choose to share this special role with multiple important people in their lives. Whether it’s because you can’t choose between your best friend and sister, or because you want to honor two close friends, having multiple maids of honor is a growing trend.

Weddings today are more flexible than ever, giving couples the freedom to break from tradition and embrace choices that feel authentic to them. So, while two maids of honor may not have been the norm a decade ago, it’s certainly not an uncommon decision now.

What Is It Called When You Have Two Maid of Honors?

When you have two maids of honor, you might hear a few different terms. One popular phrase is “co-maids of honor,” which acknowledges that both individuals are sharing the title and the responsibilities. Some brides also distinguish between a “maid of honor” and a “matron of honor” if one of them is married. While the title may vary slightly depending on your preferences, the idea is that both people hold the same level of importance in your bridal party.

What if I Want 2 Maids of Honor?

If you want to have two maids of honor, that’s a completely acceptable and meaningful choice! Here’s how you can do it:

1. Talk to both candidates ahead of time: Be upfront with both of your chosen maids of honor about your decision to share the role. Communication is key to ensure they understand their shared responsibilities.
2. Assign responsibilities: One of the first steps to ensuring a smooth process is deciding how the responsibilities will be divided. This can be done based on strengths, availability, or preferences. For instance, one maid of honor might help with planning the bridal shower, while the other focuses on the bachelorette party.
3. Avoid comparison: Each person may bring unique qualities to the table, and it’s important to emphasize that their roles are equally significant. Encourage them to work together as a team for the sake of a stress-free planning experience.

Can I Have Two Maid of Honors and No Bridesmaids?

Absolutely! Many brides choose to keep their bridal party small and intimate. If having just two maids of honor and no bridesmaids feels right to you, there’s no rule that says you must have a larger group. Your wedding is about celebrating your love and the people closest to you, and the size of your bridal party should reflect your personal vision for the day.

This approach can also streamline the decision-making process, reduce costs, and keep planning more manageable. With just two maids of honor by your side, you can still enjoy the support you need without the added complexity of a large bridal party.

Can You Have Three Maid of Honors?

While two maids of honor are fairly common, having three is certainly possible too! If you have three people in your life who mean the world to you, and you can’t imagine your day without them by your side, then you can absolutely include all of them as maids of honor. The key to making this work is clear communication and thoughtful delegation of responsibilities.

If you do decide to go with three maids of honor, be sure that each person knows exactly what is expected of them, whether that means dividing up wedding planning tasks or coordinating speeches. The most important thing is ensuring that everyone feels valued and respected in their role.

How Many Maid of Honors Can You Have?

There’s no hard-and-fast rule when it comes to the number of maid of honors you can have. In reality, it’s entirely up to you! Whether you have one, two, or more, the most important thing is that your choices reflect the people you feel closest to and who will best support you on your big day.

The key is to ensure the dynamic works well. With more maid of honors, you’ll need to be mindful of dividing up responsibilities fairly and ensuring that everyone is on the same page. Clear communication and setting expectations can help prevent any potential issues.

Choosing More Than One Maid of Honor

Choosing more than one maid of honor can feel like a daunting decision. After all, you don’t want to offend anyone, and it’s important to make sure everyone feels included and appreciated. Here are some tips for selecting more than one maid of honor without stress:

1. Consider your relationships: Think about the people in your life who have been there for you through thick and thin. Your maid(s) of honor should be those who you know will provide emotional support and practical help leading up to and on the big day.
2. Have an open conversation: If you’re leaning toward choosing multiple people, be transparent about it from the start. Let them know why you made this decision and how much it means to you.
3. Respect everyone’s time: Make sure that the individuals you choose are able and willing to take on the responsibilities that come with being a maid of honor. Wedding planning can be time-consuming, so it’s important to consider each person’s availability.

Co-Maid of Honor Responsibilities

When you have two maids of honor, it’s essential to assign responsibilities in a way that feels fair to everyone involved. While some brides opt for a more informal approach where both share all duties, others prefer to divide the tasks based on each person’s strengths. Here are some common maid of honor responsibilities to consider:

• Planning the bridal shower and bachelorette party: This can be split between the two maids of honor, with one taking the lead on the bridal shower and the other organizing the bachelorette party.
• Helping with dress shopping: Both can accompany you to fittings, or one can be your go-to for advice on your wedding dress while the other helps with bridesmaid dresses.
• Organizing the bridal party: Coordinating the bridesmaids can be a big job, and having two maids of honor to divide this task can be incredibly helpful.
• Emotional support: Both maids of honor should be there for you throughout the planning process and on the wedding day itself to keep you calm, focused, and happy.

Handling Two Maid of Honor Speeches

One of the most anticipated moments of any reception is the maid of honor speech. But what happens when you have two? There are a couple of ways you can handle this:

• Separate speeches: Both maids of honor can give individual speeches, which can add more variety and heartfelt moments to your reception.
• A joint speech: If your maids of honor have a close relationship or are comfortable with public speaking, they can work together on a joint speech, sharing funny stories or meaningful moments.

Whichever option you choose, ensure that both maids of honor feel comfortable with the arrangement and understand the tone you’d like for the speech (whether humorous, sentimental, or a mix of both).

Proper Etiquette for Having Two Maids of Honor

If you decide to have two maids of honor, following proper wedding etiquette will ensure that everyone feels comfortable in their roles:

• Equal recognition: Be sure to recognize both maids of honor equally during the ceremony, reception, and in the wedding program.
• Clear division of responsibilities: To avoid any potential conflicts, clearly divide duties and communicate them early.
• Seating arrangements: Traditionally, the maid of honor sits closest to the bride at the head table. If you have two maids of honor, you can either seat them on either side of you or arrange the seating based on their preferences.

Managing Two Maid of Honor Duties

Handling two maids of honor is all about balance. One way to keep things running smoothly is by organizing regular check-ins with your maids of honor throughout the planning process. Whether it’s over coffee or through a group chat, keeping everyone informed will help things run more smoothly.

Additionally, you can assign tasks based on each person’s strengths. For example, one maid of honor may be great at organizing events, while the other might excel at offering emotional support. By playing to their individual skills, you can make the most out of having two maids of honor.

How to Ask 2 Maids of Honor

Asking one person to be your maid of honor is a special moment, but asking two can feel just as exciting. When it comes time to pop the question to your co-maids of honor, think about making the moment personal and heartfelt. Some ideas include:

• A joint ask: If your two maids of honor know each other, you could invite them both out and ask them together, explaining why they are both important to you.
• Separate asks: If you want to make each person feel individually appreciated, consider asking them separately with a personalized touch, such as a special card or a meaningful gift.

Traditions for Two Maids of Honor

While the tradition of having one maid of honor has been around for centuries, weddings today are about personalization. Having two maids of honor opens up new opportunities for creating traditions that are meaningful to you. Some brides might choose to have both maids of honor walk down the aisle together or stand on either side of them during the ceremony.

You can also create your own special moments with your co-maids of honor throughout the planning process, from bridal shopping trips to pre-wedding getaways. The key is making sure that both maids of honor feel included in the wedding’s most significant moments.

Maid of Honor vs. Matron of Honor

If one of your maid of honor candidates is married, you might wonder if she should take on the title of matron of honor instead. The difference between a maid of honor and a matron of honor is simple: a maid of honor is typically unmarried, while a matron of honor is married. Both titles carry the same responsibilities and level of importance, so it’s really up to personal preference.

How to Have Two Maids of Honor

Having two maids of honor requires thoughtful planning and clear communication. The most important step is making sure that both individuals know how much they mean to you and what you expect from them in their roles. Dividing tasks, maintaining open communication, and ensuring equal recognition are key to successfully managing two maids of honor.

With careful planning, having two maids of honor can enhance your wedding experience, giving you double the support and joy on your big day.

Central Florida Wedding Photographer – Mike Briggs Photography