Honorary MOH?....HELP! (kinda long)

nameisme

      When I got engaged I already knew I would have 2 MOH.s. One, my best friend from high school, the other my best friend from college. I asked them both 8 months before my wedding, knowing that my friend from high school would need the extra time, because she is attending school in Hawaii. Just last month she informed me she would not be able to attend the wedding because of school and work. I was incredibly bummed to find out about this, because the two of us were inseperable until she transfered schools.
      My FI suggested asking another friend to step in as another bridesmaid, but with 3 months until my wedding there is no way asking someone would NOT look like I am just trying to have "even sides", which from my FI point of view is important. I have already told him he needs to deal with the uneven sides because I am not going to be using my friends like that.
       SO my question: I still consider my high school friend to be my MOH, but giving her the title "Honorary Maid of Honor" in my programs and on my wedding website. I want to recognize her during the ceremony, but every time I come u with an idea it looks like she died (leaving a spot open next to my other MOH ect). So how do I recognize her as a MOH?

AdeleDazeem

I'd list her in the program as MOH, not honorary MOH.  If you want, under her name you can say "Could not attend" or more fun "Stuck in Hawaii!"  Or, you can leave it with just her name.  No need for an open spot, either.  People will either figure it out or not notice.

I will warn you that people will think she died if you put honorary.  My husband couldn't be a groosman in his friend's wedding so they listed him as honorary.  A rumor swept through the guests that he had died.  They had to put out that fire at the reception and say he was at his law school graduation instead.  It was funny, but could have been avoided!

JaxInBlue

Just list her in the program.  No one will be interrogating you as to where she is and why she isn't physically there.  DH's brother (one of the best men) had to miss our wedding due to his military committments but we still listed him as if he were there.

Instead of recognizing her during the ceremony, I would make arrangements to send her her gift ahead of time or see if you could have some flowers (maybe similar to your wedding flowers) delivered to her on your wedding day.  If timing works out, you could always see if she'd want to be video chatted in for your ceremony or for a few minutes during yoru reception.

danielleper03

What if you included her in the program as MOH and then did a small table with the meet the maids? You could have a note on her frame/section that states that she is attending college in Hawaii and could not make it.

nameisme

Thank you! I think I will list her as my MOH maybe with a note under her name saying "could not attend". And I think my mom is planning to skype her during the ceremony, just holding her phone up in the front row so she can watch and it won't be distracting to other guests. Like I said, we have been friends a long time and I am still very sad she won't attend, but I still want her to feel included! I'm planning to send her a package afterward as well with some pictures, the program, a favor and maybe some cake? haha I don't know.
But thank you all for your help!