A friend or relative may feel flattered when you ask her to be your maid of honor for the wedding, but you both have to realize that the role entails responsibilities, too. We've listed a maid of honor's responsibilities to help you and your maid of honor set expectations for the entire process. Or, if you haven't chosen your maid of honor yet, see the common tasks so you can pick the best person for the role.

Common tasks of the maid of honor before the wedding day:

• Accompany you when shopping for shoes, underwear, and other bridal accessories if needed
  
  Shopping is a good excuse to bond with your maid of honor, so don't hesitate to ask her come with you when you scout for essentials for the wedding--after all, it's unlikely that she'll say no to a shopping trip. You can also ask for her honest opinion when trying out items.

Common tasks of the maid of honor on the wedding day:

• Help you put on your gown
  
  Your gown might not be in the easiest thing to put on. Ask your maid of honor to accompany you on one of your fittings so that she'll know how to help you get dressed for the big day.

• Assist you with your train
  
  After she's helped you get dressed, your maid of honor will also help you maneuver your way around the venue in your gown. A dress with a long train might be tricky to wear, and it will help a lot if your maid of honor is keeping you from tripping on your gown's hem. Moreover, your gown will also look better in photos if she constantly checks if the train is spread out behind you.
  

• Tote your wedding emergency kit
  
  You need to pack a wedding emergency kit to address any minor mishaps on your wedding day. Since you won't be holding your bridal bag as you walk down the aisle (you'll be holding your bouquet!), ask your maid of honor to carry your belongings.

• Address last-minute issues with suppliers (in case you don't have a planner/coordinator)
  
  The last thing you want to do on your wedding is fuss over small details. If your maid of honor knows the arrangements you've made with suppliers, ask her to address minor concerns and decide on your behalf.

• Sign your marriage contract as a witness if needed
  
  Your maid of honor has been with you throughout the process of planning your wedding, and if you want her to have an official--and documented--role in your marriage as well, you can ask her to sign your marriage contract as a witness.

• Mingle with guests
  
  It might be hard for you to spend quality time with every guest on your wedding--all that you might manage to do is say a quick hello to your guests. If your maid of honor is up to the task, she can serve as one of your hosts. Ask her to mingle with your guests and help foster a warm atmosphere on your wedding day.

You may also want to check:

• The Entourage and Their Roles
• Checklist for the Best Man
• 3 Tips for Choosing Your Entourage
• Ideas for Entourage Favors 
• Wedding 911: Your Emergency Kit