What are maid of honor duties?

The maid of honor has a range of responsibilities 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 identical (just with a different name).

Should the maid of honor give a gift to the bride?

The maid of honor should give a gift to the bride . While it's a good idea to get something off the couple's registry , it's nice to select something more unexpected and personal that's just 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?

Recognizing all the people who have helped and showed up for you throughout this process is important. "Letting a friend know how much you appreciate them is always a nice gesture," says Norcross. "That's especially when you may be leaning on them more than usual.” This also applies to bridesmaid and bridesman gifts .

The 20 Best Maid of Honor Gifts of 2024

From helping you plan your wedding look to throwing your bridal shower and offering genius advice, your maid of honor has always been by your side. She's been a fantastic confidante and assisted with organizing all of those big-day details, and provided tons of support throughout the wedding-planning process. A gift is one way to show your gratitude—but not just anything will do for a VIP as unique as her. “The hallmark of a great maid of honor gift is the thought and personalization behind it," says wedding planner Elizabeth McKellar, owner of The Nouveau Romantics.

To help you find the perfect present for your maid of honor, editors at Brides found the most personalized, elegant, and timeless items that are just right for this occasion. Think luxury beauty products, small leather goods, unique jewelry, sought-after fragrances, and fancy accessories that make her feel pampered. We know your nearest and dearest friend (or sister!) will love these thoughtful editor-curated picks.

In This Article

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

Cuyana Leather Travel Case Set

Cuyana

View On Cuyana.com $168

These chic toiletry and makeup bags are handcrafted in Argentina and made from 100 percent sustainable pebbled leather. Choose from 14 different colors—we especially love the soft rose and blush tones—and two different sizes (or gift a set of the two sizes together). The small case is perfect for holding lipstick, blush, and gloss for quick touchups, while the larger iteration is great for transporting toiletries on a weekend trip (like the bachelorette party).

Saint Jane Spellbound Luxury Candle

View On Saintjanebeauty.com

This candle from the luxury beauty line Saint Jane is intoxicating with notes of cardamom, lemon, and bergamot. But what makes it especially special is the exquisite packaging and presentation, which guarantees an unforgettable unboxing moment. The vessel is high-impact and gorgeous and becomes a keepsake after the wax is burned through—giving your gift extended use (she can turn it into a holder for makeup brushes).

Byredo La Selection Nomad Gift Set

Byredo

View On Nordstrom $174

This travel-ready set features three of Byredo's top-selling perfumes, including the iconic "Gypsy Water," "Bal D'Afrique," and "Blanche." At .04 ounces each, these mini versions are easy to pack in her carry-on or keep in her purse. Each scent captures a range of notes for different occasions, from spicy bergamot and pepper to woody cedar.

Sangre De Fruta Botanical The Botanical Body Duo

Sangre De Fruta

View On Sangredefruta.com $114

Surprise your maid of honor with hand-crafted small-batch body products in her hotel suite. Sangre du Fruta Botanical, a brand beloved by Gwyneth Paltrow and the Goop gals, is perfect for the occasion. We're partial to the Neroli scent and the decadent texture of this body wash and body cream set. Packaged in a reusable cotton bag, the presentation is crisp, minimal, and ideal for the maid of honor who values high-quality, artisanal skincare.

Diptyque Mini Candle Discovery Set

Diptyque

View On Diptyqueparis.com View On Bluemercury.com $135 View On Bloomingdales $135

If she's a scent lover, this trio of petite candles won't disappoint. Featuring three of Diptyque's most iconic blends, including berry, fig, and rose, these mini candles are packaged in a decorative box ready for gifting. They're the perfect accent for her bathroom or vanity.

Georg Jensen Bernadotte French Press

Georg Jensen

View On Food52

This handsome French press is a must-have for serious coffee drinkers or anyone who wants to add a luxe art deco touch to their next brunch spread. The modern shape and fluted texture are inspired by the flatware of Swedish designer Sigvard Bernadotte, in collaboration with iconic Danish silversmith Georg Jenson. With a double-walled construction, the stainless steel design keeps coffee hotter for longer.

Flamingo Rose Jasmine & Rose Bath Set

Flamingo Estate

View On Flamingoestate.com

Flamingo Estate's most evocative botanical blends made this lush bath set. Featuring notes of jasmine, Damask rose, bergamot, and peppercorns, the set includes hand soap, oversized bar soap, and a candle, all sourced from sustainable, bio-dynamic ingredients.

Diamond Nexus 1/2 CT Round Cut Lab Grown Diamond Basket Set Stud Earrings

Diamond Nexus

View On Diamondnexus.com

Diamond studs are a classic maid of honor gift that can be worn on the big day and beyond. This basket-style pair is made of sustainable lab-grown diamonds and features tension back closures for secure fastening. Choose the setting from 14K white, yellow, or rose gold.

Olivia von Halle Audrey Floral-Print Silk-Satin Eye Mask

Matches Fashion

View On Matchesfashion.com $155

Whether she's traveling for your destination wedding or needs a little rest and relaxation around the house, this pretty eye mask will definitely come in handy. It's crafted from 100 percent silk and features a delicate botanical pattern throughout the brand's luxe sleepwear. Complete the gift with a relaxing essential oil blend—it will make every day feel like a spa day.

Mejuri Diamond Necklace

Mejuri

View On Mejuri.com

This delicate necklace is perfect for wearing or layering with other lightweight pieces. Made with 14k gold and a single bezel-cut diamond, it's both classic and modern in design. Plus, it goes with just about anything, including her maid of honor dress.

Lunya Washable Silk Long Robe

View On Revolve $298 View On Lunya.co View On Bloomingdales $298

You might already be getting a set of cute personalized robes for your bridal party, we think your maid of honor deserves something extra special that she'll wear long after the wedding. This sumptuous robe is made of 100 percent mulberry silk and is machine-washable—yes, you heard that right. The slightly longer design feels especially luxe, but the brand also offers a shorter style if that's a better fit for your maid of honor.

Astier de Villatte Incense

Jayson Home

View On Jaysonhome.com

Parisian brand Astier de Villatte may be best known for its delicate, whitewashed dinnerware and serving pieces, but it's also a trusted resource for high-quality scents. In addition to candles, the brand offers a range of handmade incense that's quite unlike any we've tried before. Each blend is tailored to a specific location and comes packaged in a petite pale blue box with hand-stamped accents. We love this as a surprise in her hotel suite.

Gather Hand-Blown Martini Glasses (Set of 2)

Abask

View On Abask.com

This vibrant martini set may be a splurge, but it's more than just barware—it's art. Inspired by Dutch still life paintings and featuring a candy color palette, each piece is handblown by glass artist Phoebe Stubbs in her London studio. Pair with her favorite vodka or gin for an extra-special gift.

Birdy Grey Pajama Set

Birdy Grey

View On Birdygrey.com $44

Soft, luxe, and comfy—this short PJ set will be their new favorite 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 pajamas 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 3XL), there definitely will be a shade to match your wedding palette.

Minted Classic Snap Custom Photo Art

Minted

View On Minted $48

You're sure to snap tons of gorgeous wedding photos with your maid of honor, so preserve a memorable moment from the big day with this custom print that's part of the exclusive minted + BRIDES Gifts Collection. You can personalize it with a special message and add a frame to make it a truly memorable gift.

Rhea Noa Jewelry Gold Letter Bracelet

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 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.

Everly Grayce Tote Bag

Etsy

View On Etsy $13

Practical and bespoke, a personalized tote bag is a cute custom gift. This one can be filled with goodies and will hold everything your maid of honor needs throughout the wedding day (think makeup bag, shawl, or flip-flops).

By Chari Mini Diamond Earrings

View On Bychari.com

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

Boxbar Chick Build Your Own Gift Box

Chick

View On Shopchickphilly.com

No time to shop? This online source will help you assemble a beautiful box of goodies that can be mailed directly to the recipient. This one lets you build your own, choosing from various luxe products like candles, sweets, and personalized clutches.

Framebridge A Framed Picture

View On Framebridge.com

Chances are your phone is filled with special pictures of the two of you. Pick your favorite and get it printed and framed with just a few clicks. Choose from various styles, including minimalist black and neutral finishes to shiny, decorative gold. Whichever you choose, it's a gift that will make her smile every time she sees it.

What to Look for in a Maid of Honor Gift

Personalization: "Your maid of honor should feel the care and attention you put behind your gift," says Keller. "Whatever you give should feel unique to them." Custom presents personalized with their monogram These great options make her feel like you've gone the extra mile. A gift tailored to their interests and hobbies will also stand out.
Self-Care: Self-care is another way to make her feel appreciated—your maid of honor has done so much for you, so you'll want to make sure she is encouraged to relax (especially in the days and weeks after the wedding). A spa day, a subscription to a yoga streaming service, or a curated box will make her day.
Experiential Gift: Besides a physical gift, an experiential gift is a great option for any maid of honor. “For someone who appreciates quality time, try a spa outing, weekend away, or something else that feels unique to your relationship," says McKeller. Event planner Susan Norcross recommends planning a special dinner or a weekend trip for just the two of you.

FAQ

What are maid of honor duties?

The maid of honor has a range of responsibilities 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 identical (just with a different name).
Should the maid of honor give a gift to the bride?

The maid of honor should give a gift to the bride. While it's a good idea to get something off the couple's registry, it's nice to select something more unexpected and personal that's just 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?

Recognizing all the people who have helped and showed up for you throughout this process is important. "Letting a friend know how much you appreciate them is always a nice gesture," says Norcross. "That's especially when you may be leaning on them more than usual.” This also applies to bridesmaid and bridesman gifts.

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.

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.