What are Maid of Honor duties?

The maid of honor has a range of responsibilities in the time leading up to the wedding and during the big day. They're in charge of planning the bachelorette party, keeping track of gifts at the bridal shower , and generally being available for whatever the bride needs throughout the wedding planning process.

What’s the difference between a Maid of Honor and a Matron of Honor?

The maid of honor is usually unmarried, while the matron of honor has already had a wedding of their own. Ultimately, the roles are essentially the same (just a different name!).

Should the Maid of Honor give a gift to the bride?

The maid of honor should definitely give a give to the bride. While it's always possible to get something off the registry , it's nice to choose something more unexpected and personal for the bride—think custom jewelry, a monogrammed bag, or a gift card to a spa.

Do you have to buy your Maid of Honor a gift?

It's important to recognize all the people who have helped you and showed up for you throughout this process. “Your maid of honor more than likely has been your right hand not only through the wedding process but more than likely a good part of your life as well," says Norcross. "Letting her (or your man of honor) know how much you appreciate them is always a nice gesture, especially when you may be leaning on them a little more than usual.”

The 20 Best Maid of Honor Gifts

Collage of a black custom makeup pouch on a gray background — Brides / Amelia Manley

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It’s almost your special day. You found your soulmate, you set the day, picked out the dress, and asked your favorite person to be your Maid of Honor. Whether your Maid of Honor is your sister, cousin, or best friend, it's the person you want standing by your side on your big day. Your MOH will show up for you so many times during the process, from the engagement party to the bridal shower to the rehearsal dinner. Honor her by gifting her something meaningful that shows how thankful you are for being there through your process.

With the help of these two experts, we found the best gifts that are personalized, practical, and timeless. You can't go wrong with a personalized piece of jewelry like Pamela Hattie's Personalized Heart Ring. Because they will likely be doing more traveling, a customized cosmetic bag like this one from XOXO Kristen is also a nice touch.

Read on for the best maid of honor gifts.

Introducing Minted + Brides: Shop our exclusive collection of customized gifts for the couple, wedding party, and more.

Our Top Picks

Venus Et Fleur Le Clair Grand Un at Venusetfleur.com ($125)

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MoMoosa Maid Of Honor Mug at Etsy ($23)

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Minted Classic Snap Custom Photo Art at Minted ($48)

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Pamela Hattie Open Heart Ring at Etsy ($24)

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Rhea Noa Jewelry Gold Letter Bracelet at Etsy ($180)

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Miss Boxie 'Will You Be My Maid of Honor' Proposal Box at Etsy ($33)

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Birdy Grey Pajama Set at Birdygrey.com ($44)

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The Paisley Box Wedding Themed Socks at Etsy ($10)

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Everly Grayce Tote Bag at Etsy ($13)

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XOXO Kristen Makeup Bag at Amazon ($10)

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In This Article

Our Picks
What to Look for in a Maid of Honor Gift
FAQ
Why Trust Brides

Venus Et Fleur

View On Venusetfleur.com $125

Take a line from The Bachelor, and ask if they’ll accept this rose. The pretty keepsake is something they can leave out on her desk or vanity so they'll always think of your friendship and remember your bond.

Etsy

View On Etsy $23

What makes this mug such a popular gift option is that it is completely customizable. You can choose the skin color, hairstyle, and color of the dress. You can also add the date and pick from floral arrangements as well that decorate the mug. Fill it with their favorite candy to make it even more personalized. They'll think of your lovely day every time they take a sip of coffee or tea.

Minted

View On Minted $48

You're sure to snap tons of gorgeous wedding photos with your MOH, so preserve a special moment from the big day with this custom print—which is a part of the exclusive minted + BRIDES Gifts Collection. Personalize it with a special message and add a frame to make it a truly memorable gift.

Pamela Hattie Personalized Open Heart Ring

Etsy

View On Etsy $24

You’ll be getting a new ring that day, so give her one too. Gift her your heart, so they know that even though someone else is entering your life, you'll still be in hers. This delicate, handmade ring is personalized with your bestie's initial, so they'll feel extra special every time they wears it.

Rhea Noa Jewelry 14k Gold Letter Bracelet

Etsy

View On Etsy $180

Customized jewelry is always a thoughtful gift option for your bridal besties. Get each of your bridal party members a bracelet personalized with their first name initial. Since the letter lies flat and isn't a charm, it won't distract them from any of their day-of duties, whether fixing it's your train or meeting your energy on the dance floor. The delicate nature of the piece makes it something they'll wear daily and stack with some of her other bracelets.

MissBoxie 'Will you be my Maid of Honor' Proposal Box

Etsy

View On Etsy $33

There are lots of fun ways to ask "Will you be my bridesmaid?" If you're still looking for bridesmaid proposal gift ideas, here’s an excellent way to pop the question. With two different options, premium and deluxe, your future maid of honor will receive a personalized champagne flute or tumbler, chocolate, a faux diamond topped pen, and an artificial rose. The box itself is so cute and features a magnetic closure, which makes it a great keepsake to safely store her mementos.

Birdy Grey

View On Birdygrey.com $44

Soft, luxe, comfy–this short PJ set will be their new favorite thing to wear to bed. It's affordable enough to get one for your entire bridal party, your mother, and of course, one for yourself. Personalize the pjs with their name on the back and get ready for the cutest pictures of you and your squad getting ready on the big day. Offered in 14 colors (and up to size 3x), there definitely will be a shade to match your wedding palette.

Etsy

View On Etsy $10

You can't get any more practical than socks. But unlike the variety you might receive on Christmas, these are not boring and are created just for the people who will be surrounding you on your special day. Written on the bottom of the soles are the roles of the day; bride, matron of honor, maid of honor, bridesmaid, and even one for your flower girl. These can seamlessly be added to their sock drawer to wear any other day. If you are bundling a few gifts together, these socks are a must.

Etsy

View On Etsy $13

Practical and sustainable, you can’t go wrong with a personalized tote bag. This one is an affordable gift option that you can fill with other little gifts, plus it can hold everything they need throughout the wedding day (think makeup bag, shawl, or flip-flops). After your big day, this tote will be in heavy rotation as her new favorite bag for school, supermarket trips, or fitness classes.

Amazon

View On Amazon $10

A girl can't have too many makeup bags, so gift her one more, which is sure to become her favorite. What makes this one stand out is that you can customize the inside and outside. Put her name or nickname on the outside and the date of your wedding on the inside. Or, if you can keep to the 20 character count, a small note they will see every time they unzips. They'll fall in love with this bag, which can double as a clutch for the wedding.

Digibuddha Maid of Honor Christmas Tree Ornament

Amazon

View On Amazon $23

Newlywed Christmas ornaments are a thing so it seems fitting to commemorate the special day with a maid-of-honor ornament too. They'll love hanging this sweet floral bauble every holiday. Bright and cheerful, it's the perfect reminder of the vital role they played during your nuptials.

Stella & Haas

View On Stellaandhaas.com

This gold chain necklace is an affordable jewelry option that will truly stand out, on both the big day and beyond. This classic piece will seamlessly coordinate with any bridal party dress neckline, and it's timeless style that will mix well with other delicate necklaces in her collection.

Sequin

View On Sequin-nyc.com

If your MOH has short hair, or you know she will be pulling her hair back into a low bun or high pony, a pair of statement earrings is a perfect choice. This bold look is a great option for a friend with a more modern or trendy style—and she'll definitely wear them for her next night on the town.

Diptyque

View On Diptyqueparis.com View On Bluemercury.com $126

This chic candle set will make her feel extra spoiled. Whenever they lights a candle, they'll think of you and your friendship. It's a self care gift that keeps giving.

View On Bychari.com

Once she puts them on, she'll never want to take off these pretty diamond hoops. Made of 14K gold, they're simple, delicate, and special-occasion-ready. Whether she has one piercing or many, this pair will will fit right in and be her new favorite piece of jewelry.

Amazon

View On Amazon $22

Maid-of-honors and bridesmaids are always happy to be a part of the day, but it does come at a cost. Help reduce the bill by buying her a new pair of neutral shoes that will match her dress. They can dance the night away at the wedding and easily wear them again at the next special event.

Chick

View On Shopchickphilly.com

For a go-to MOH gift, turn to an online that can help you put together a beautiful box of goodies that can be mailed directly to the recipient. This one lets you build your own, choosing from a range of luxe products like candles, sweets, and personalized clutches.

View On Framebridge.com

Your camera roll is filled with special pictures of the two of you laughing and having —they might have made it to your Instagram, but maybe not to a frame. Find your favorite and get it printed and framed with just a few clicks. It's a gift that will make her smile every time they sees it.

Firstleaf

View On Firstleaf.club

Whether they are a connoisseur or enjoy a glass or two a week, they'll appreciate this subscription to try new varieties. You can choose to gift whatever amount is in your budget and if their partner is also part of the ceremony, this makes an excellent combined gift. They'll get to enjoy the vino together and possibly invite the newlyweds to join for their next wine and cheese night.

Courtesy of Mark & Graham

View On Markandgraham.com $159

A personalized clutch is something they'll sport for years to come. This structured style is versatile, offering her various ways to use it, whether over-the-shoulder or in her hand. Add her monogram for a customized and classic touch.

Meet the Expert

Elizabeth McKellar is the owner of The Nouveau Romantics Event Design and Planning.
Susan Norcross is the owner of Philadelphia-based event planning company, The Styled Bride.

What to Look for in a Maid of Honor Gift

Personalization

“The hallmark of a great Maid of Honor gift is the thought and personalization behind it," says Elizabeth McKellar, the owner of The Nouveau Romantics. "Your MOH should feel the care and attention you put thought behind your gift, and whatever you give should feel unique to them."

From Pamela Hattie's Personalized Heart Ring to a custom coffee mug, there are so many great options out there. Just make sure you order your present well in advance so it arrives in time.

Self-Care

Self care is another way to make her feel appreciated—they've done so much for you, so you'll want to make sure she is encouraged to relax (especially post-wedding!). A spa day, subscription to a yoga streaming service, or just a box of self care-related goodies like from Boxbar will make her day.

Symbolism

Besides a physical gift, both our experts suggested the idea of an experience. “For someone who has everything (and especially if they love quality time),” McKeller says, “a spa outing, weekend away, or something unique to your relationship is a great starting point for this option.” She also shares that the gift doesn’t have to cost a lot of money; it can be a meaningful photo but into a special picture frame from Framebridge. Susan Norcross, the owner of Philadelphia-based event planning company The Styled Bride, states anything where you can celebrate together, like a special dinner or a trip, is also a great thank you.

FAQ

What are Maid of Honor duties?

The maid of honor has a range of responsibilities in the time leading up to the wedding and during the big day. They're in charge of planning the bachelorette party, keeping track of gifts at the bridal shower, and generally being available for whatever the bride needs throughout the wedding planning process.
What’s the difference between a Maid of Honor and a Matron of Honor?

The maid of honor is usually unmarried, while the matron of honor has already had a wedding of their own. Ultimately, the roles are essentially the same (just a different name!).
Should the Maid of Honor give a gift to the bride?

The maid of honor should definitely give a give to the bride. While it's always possible to get something off the registry, it's nice to choose something more unexpected and personal for the bride—think custom jewelry, a monogrammed bag, or a gift card to a spa.
Do you have to buy your Maid of Honor a gift?

It's important to recognize all the people who have helped you and showed up for you throughout this process. “Your maid of honor more than likely has been your right hand not only through the wedding process but more than likely a good part of your life as well," says Norcross. "Letting her (or your man of honor) know how much you appreciate them is always a nice gesture, especially when you may be leaning on them a little more than usual.”

Why Trust Brides

If Gabrielle Porcano had a penny for every time someone in her life asked her gift-giving advice, she’d be living on a private island. From engagement rings to gift-giving to bridal fashion— her suggestions find their way into nearly every event. For this article, she interviewed Elizabeth McKellar, the owner of The Nouveau Romantics Event Design and Planning, and Susan Norcross, the owner of Philadelphia-based event planning company, The Styled Bride.