Hi everyone. I don't know how else to explain this so I am going to just dive right in.
We are having a small wedding and my fiance are only having a maid of honor, best man, and flower girl in our wedding party (we will be having 30 guests total in a destination wedding).
The problem is that with only a month to go as of tomorrow, my MOH is now having some major health issues. She may have meningitis AND a blood clot in her leg. She will have a round of test this week to find out but she may not be able to come!
So I am left wondering if I should start thinking of another person that is already attending the wedding and ask them to be a stand by. Would that be rude to ask someone this?
Also, I would have no idea who would be that person! Should I choose my best friend's wife that I have known for three years or should I ask my brother's new fiance?
Geez, I just don't know what to do, any advice would be greatly appreciated!
I don't think it would be a problem if you asked someone to be the stand-by MOH.
Just try to choose someone who is close enough to you who understands the situation; that way she won't feel jilted if/when the official MOH announces she can maintain her position.
Perhaps a cousin or another friend? Someone you've known a while and feel close to. You want to look back on that day and think of the people who meant the most to you. And remember the toast; your MOH will have to know enough about you to make a memoriable speech at the reception!
Why exactly do you need a stand in? The MOH is really just there to be recognized and honored, so if she can't be there for health reasons, I think it would be nice to just mention her in the program or something and let her know that there really is "only one MOH." The stand person in isn't going to feel very honored at this point, and neither will the real MOH if you run out to replace her.
This is especially true if no one even really comes to mind. Although, if you really just want someone there, perhaps have your best man's date escort him down the aisle and then sit down in front?
I agree with Cricket... if no one comes to mind, then you could definitely do the wedding without a MOH. Definitely have at least a Day of Coordinator though, to pick up the slack!
Just from personal experience, I went to a destination wedding where the MOH needed to stay home, and the bride chose another person to be her MOH. The problem was that her stand-in MOH didn't really want to be her MOH, and just wanted to enjoy her vacation as a wedding guest. Though both girls acted immaturely (the bride was a bit needy and the MOH was a bit self-centered), having a MOH really wasn't necessary. It caused a HUGE problem with all of the guests (there was so much drama that we all knew about it and were caught in the middle), and as a result, they're not friends anymore.
I agree with Cricket. You don't really need a MOH. Also, were you at all concerned about her getting better or is this all about your wedding? Correct me if I'm wrong, but that's what it seems like. Take a few steps back maybe. She could die from a blood clot...that would really screw up your wedding. How dare her!!!
hopefully, your MOH will be ok. in case she isn't able to attend, perhaps ask your best friend and have a man of honor instead? a bit unconventional, but possible. either that or go without, if you can.
If she can't come, I'd go without an MOH and ask some trusted friends to pick up the slack in terms of being a point person and helping with dressing/decorating/etc. I hope your friend gets better though!
At all the weddings I've been to the MOH and Best Man act as witnesses on the marriage license, so check to see if you would still need someone to do that even if you decide not to have a stand-in.
V, I am sure that this is not the very first thing that came to her mind upon hearing her maid of honor is ill, she probably is choosing to keep that part to herself and choosing to ask the hive a wedding related question. I can understand that in addition to not having her friend there by her side will be difficult enough, and now to add the stress of losing an attendent. While wishing her friend well, Girlie must also think about how that is going to affect her wedding day, and to plan accordingly. That said, yes, Girlie, find a back-up. A maid of honor does way more than just sign your marriage certificate, you will need someone to help you get ready, to be a go-to person, and provide emotional support. It may not be necessary to tell your current MOH that you are looking/have found a potential stand in, but a prepared bride is a happy one!
Hmm. So sorry about your friend's health situation; I hope she gets good news soon.
I would wait until you know for sure whether she'll make it before you ask anyone else, since you might not need to ask anyone. (I'm assuming that, since you have just one attendant, any possible stand-in won't have to wear a particular dress.)
There's certainly nothing wrong with going MOH-less. You might just want to figure out somewhere to place your bouquet while you're exchanging rings.
The witness thing is a non-issue; guests can do that for you.
Don't get me wrong, I am deathly scared for my friend and have been talking to her about every hour to see how she is doing. I would love nothing more for her to be in good health again. I am just trying to figure out the right thing to do so no one's feelings are hurt. I like the suggestion of having a bridesmaid there in her place or the man of honor. I would put my MOH's name in the program listing her as such either way, I am just so upset and worried for her and confused as to what to do for the wedding!
Maybe ask her about it and how she feels? At that point she may not feel up to standing up, health-wise. Also, instead of "replacing" her, why don't you ask another friend to be a bridesmaid, regardless. That way, if your sick friend doesn't stand up with you, you'll have someone there, and if your sick friend can make it, you'll have two someones! And then no one is "replacing" another person and you're not up there by yourself without any support.
Hi everyone. I don't know how else to explain this so I am going to just dive right in.
We are having a small wedding and my fiance are only having a maid of honor, best man, and flower girl in our wedding party (we will be having 30 guests total in a destination wedding).
The problem is that with only a month to go as of tomorrow, my MOH is now having some major health issues. She may have meningitis AND a blood clot in her leg. She will have a round of test this week to find out but she may not be able to come!
So I am left wondering if I should start thinking of another person that is already attending the wedding and ask them to be a stand by. Would that be rude to ask someone this?
Also, I would have no idea who would be that person! Should I choose my best friend's wife that I have known for three years or should I ask my brother's new fiance?
Geez, I just don't know what to do, any advice would be greatly appreciated!
posted by girlienvw 13 posts 4 months agoI don't think it would be a problem if you asked someone to be the stand-by MOH.
Just try to choose someone who is close enough to you who understands the situation; that way she won't feel jilted if/when the official MOH announces she can maintain her position.
Perhaps a cousin or another friend? Someone you've known a while and feel close to. You want to look back on that day and think of the people who meant the most to you. And remember the toast; your MOH will have to know enough about you to make a memoriable speech at the reception!
Good luck!
posted by BriLJL 99 posts 4 months agoWhy exactly do you need a stand in? The MOH is really just there to be recognized and honored, so if she can't be there for health reasons, I think it would be nice to just mention her in the program or something and let her know that there really is "only one MOH." The stand person in isn't going to feel very honored at this point, and neither will the real MOH if you run out to replace her.
This is especially true if no one even really comes to mind. Although, if you really just want someone there, perhaps have your best man's date escort him down the aisle and then sit down in front?
posted by Cricket 98 posts 4 months agoI agree with Cricket... if no one comes to mind, then you could definitely do the wedding without a MOH. Definitely have at least a Day of Coordinator though, to pick up the slack!
posted by mrbee 135 posts 4 months agoI also agree with Cricket.
Just from personal experience, I went to a destination wedding where the MOH needed to stay home, and the bride chose another person to be her MOH. The problem was that her stand-in MOH didn't really want to be her MOH, and just wanted to enjoy her vacation as a wedding guest. Though both girls acted immaturely (the bride was a bit needy and the MOH was a bit self-centered), having a MOH really wasn't necessary. It caused a HUGE problem with all of the guests (there was so much drama that we all knew about it and were caught in the middle), and as a result, they're not friends anymore.
posted by rebecca 989 posts 4 months agoI think is horrible that what comes to mind first is how your wedding party is gonna look! I hope your MOH gets better!
I would not replace her...I'll leave the special place for her...if you're bent on having someone...anybody...get a BRIDESMAID...not a MOH.
posted by V 233 posts 4 months agoI agree with Cricket. You don't really need a MOH. Also, were you at all concerned about her getting better or is this all about your wedding? Correct me if I'm wrong, but that's what it seems like. Take a few steps back maybe. She could die from a blood clot...that would really screw up your wedding. How dare her!!!
posted by KateMW 483 posts 4 months agohopefully, your MOH will be ok. in case she isn't able to attend, perhaps ask your best friend and have a man of honor instead? a bit unconventional, but possible. either that or go without, if you can.
posted by missm 485 posts 4 months agoIf she can't come, I'd go without an MOH and ask some trusted friends to pick up the slack in terms of being a point person and helping with dressing/decorating/etc. I hope your friend gets better though!
posted by MissPearls 42 posts 4 months agoAt all the weddings I've been to the MOH and Best Man act as witnesses on the marriage license, so check to see if you would still need someone to do that even if you decide not to have a stand-in.
posted by cricketpe 36 posts 4 months agoV, I am sure that this is not the very first thing that came to her mind upon hearing her maid of honor is ill, she probably is choosing to keep that part to herself and choosing to ask the hive a wedding related question. I can understand that in addition to not having her friend there by her side will be difficult enough, and now to add the stress of losing an attendent. While wishing her friend well, Girlie must also think about how that is going to affect her wedding day, and to plan accordingly. That said, yes, Girlie, find a back-up. A maid of honor does way more than just sign your marriage certificate, you will need someone to help you get ready, to be a go-to person, and provide emotional support. It may not be necessary to tell your current MOH that you are looking/have found a potential stand in, but a prepared bride is a happy one!
posted by Niki 433 posts 4 months agoHmm. So sorry about your friend's health situation; I hope she gets good news soon.
I would wait until you know for sure whether she'll make it before you ask anyone else, since you might not need to ask anyone. (I'm assuming that, since you have just one attendant, any possible stand-in won't have to wear a particular dress.)
There's certainly nothing wrong with going MOH-less. You might just want to figure out somewhere to place your bouquet while you're exchanging rings.
The witness thing is a non-issue; guests can do that for you.
posted by maryalison 105 posts 4 months agoDon't get me wrong, I am deathly scared for my friend and have been talking to her about every hour to see how she is doing. I would love nothing more for her to be in good health again. I am just trying to figure out the right thing to do so no one's feelings are hurt. I like the suggestion of having a bridesmaid there in her place or the man of honor. I would put my MOH's name in the program listing her as such either way, I am just so upset and worried for her and confused as to what to do for the wedding!
posted by girlienvw 13 posts 4 months agoMaybe ask her about it and how she feels? At that point she may not feel up to standing up, health-wise. Also, instead of "replacing" her, why don't you ask another friend to be a bridesmaid, regardless. That way, if your sick friend doesn't stand up with you, you'll have someone there, and if your sick friend can make it, you'll have two someones! And then no one is "replacing" another person and you're not up there by yourself without any support.
posted by jma19 364 posts 4 months ago