DEAR ABBY: Recently, you printed the job description for a best man. Will you please print a job description for the maid/matron of honor, or suggest a book that would explain her duties? -- MATRON OF HONOR
DEAR MATRON: My booklet titled "How to Have a Lovely Wedding" explains not only the duties of the best man, but also those of the other members of the wedding party, as well as countless details that need to be attended to in order to have a memorable wedding. However, since you asked, following are the duties of the maid/matron of honor:
"Usually the sister of the bride is chosen; or if she has no sister, then her closest friend.
"The groom's sister need not be maid or matron of honor unless she is the bride's close friend.
"She generally entertains for the bride before the wedding.
"She attends rehearsal, assists the bride in dressing for the ceremony, provides the 'something borrowed and something blue,' looks after the guests and clergyperson, and stands in the receiving line at the reception.
"During the ceremony, she will hold the bridegroom's ring (if it is a double-ring ceremony) and hand it to the bride at the proper time.
"She will also assist in arranging the bride's veil after the ceremony.
"Don't forget, she is essential as a witness."