A Bride's Entourage: No Best Man, No Problem

Wedding party arrangements can be stressful. A bride may want her male best friend or brother by her side on her wedding day, in which case she may appoint him as a 'man of honour' or 'bridesman'. This role is similar to that of a 'maid of honour' and involves supporting the bride and helping to lead the bridal party. The bride's choice of wedding party should reflect her closest friends and most important people. It is becoming more common for couples to break with tradition and make their own rules, so gender need not be a factor when selecting a wedding party.

Man of Honour

A man of honour is a male who holds the role traditionally called "maid of honour". It is becoming increasingly common for brides to have a man of honour, and it can be a great choice for a number of reasons. Firstly, it is a wonderful way to include a close male friend or family member in your wedding party, ensuring that all of your most important people are standing by your side on your big day. Secondly, it adds an unconventional and unique twist to your bridal party, making for some fun photo opportunities. Thirdly, it can be a great way to avoid the stress and drama that can sometimes come with having a larger bridal party.

The man of honour's duties are generally the same as those of a maid of honour. This includes helping the bride with wedding planning, attending pre-wedding events such as the bridal shower and rehearsal dinner, being the bride's go-to person on the wedding day, standing by the bride's side during the ceremony, and giving a wedding reception toast. The man of honour can also be involved in planning the bachelorette party, although this is not a traditional duty for the role.

When it comes to attire, the man of honour has a few options. He can match the groomsmen exactly, or he can wear different accessories that coordinate with the bridesmaids' dresses, such as a matching tie or boutonniere. He could also wear a completely different look from the other guys in the wedding party, perhaps matching the bridesmaids' colour palette. Ultimately, the key is to ensure that everyone feels comfortable with the chosen attire.

It is important to note that some guys may not feel comfortable taking on the role of man of honour, and that is okay. If asked, they can politely decline the offer, and there are plenty of other important roles they can play on the wedding day.

No best man, no problem

It's your wedding day, and you want to be surrounded by your nearest and dearest. But what if your partner wants a best man and you don't? Or you can't choose between your friends? Or you simply don't want a best man at all? Well, the good news is that it's totally fine to forgo this tradition.

You Do You

It's your day, and your bridal party should be a reflection of who you are and who has supported you. If you don't want a best man, or would prefer to have a "man of honour" or "bridesman" instead, that's absolutely fine. Mixing genders on each side may be non-traditional, but who cares? It's becoming more and more common for couples to break with tradition and make their own rules.

Less Drama, More Fun

One of the biggest benefits of skipping the best man is that you avoid any potential drama. The more people involved in your wedding, the more opinions and feelings there are to consider. By keeping your bridal party small, you can save yourself a lot of stress in the lead-up to your big day.

Intimacy

Having just a maid of honour can make your wedding more intimate. It's also one less outfit to worry about, and one less speech to fit into the schedule!

A Helping Hand

If you're worried about not having enough help without a best man, don't be. You can still ask your friends and family to lend a hand with the planning and celebrations, even if they're not officially part of the bridal party. And if you do choose to have a man of honour, he can perform many of the same duties as a best man, from helping to plan pre-wedding events to providing emotional support.

So, if you're considering forgoing the best man, don't stress. Go with your gut and do what feels right for you. It's your day, after all!

Planning a wedding without a bridal party

Planning a wedding can be stressful, and deciding not to have a bridal party can make the process a lot simpler. Here are some tips for planning a wedding without a bridal party:

Letting Friends and Family Know

It's important to be honest with your friends and family about your decision. Explain that you didn't want to choose some people over others, and that this way, everyone gets to be a part of the wedding without any difference in status. Emphasize the importance of their love and support, and that you will still need their help. You may be surprised at how many people are willing to lend a helping hand.

Involving Friends and Family

Even without an official bridal party, there are many ways to involve your friends and family in your wedding:

• Invite them to help you get ready on the morning of the wedding.
• Ask them to be ushers, escorting important people down the aisle.
• Give them readings to do during the ceremony.
• Invite them to take part in a photoshoot.
• Ask them to wear a specific colour that correlates with your wedding palette, or give them a boutonniere or corsage to distinguish them from other guests.
• Choose a friend to help you plan your bachelorette or bachelor party.
• Invite a select number of people to go wedding dress or attire shopping with you.
• Have friends and family provide getting-ready support, such as ensuring you stay on schedule, making sure you eat and stay hydrated, and running last-minute errands.
• Ask a close friend or family member to give a wedding toast.

Ceremony Length and Processional

One concern you may have about not having a bridal party is that your ceremony will be too short or lack buildup. However, many people who have attended weddings without bridal parties say that they actually find these ceremonies more exciting, as they don't have to sit through multiple people walking down the aisle before the bride makes their entrance. If you're still concerned about length, you can include other elements in your ceremony, such as readings or performances.

You may also want to consider playing just one processional song, rather than trying to fit two songs into a shorter processional. You can choose your favourite part of the song to walk down the aisle to, or have the song finish playing before the bride makes their entrance to build anticipation.

Bouquet and Ring Holder

In a traditional wedding, the bride hands off her bouquet to the maid of honour during the ceremony, and the best man holds the wedding rings. If you don't have a bridal party, you can ask a close friend, sibling, or family member to hold your bouquet, and entrust the officiant with the rings.

Getting Ready Photos

If you want getting-ready photos, you don't have to get ready alone just because you don't have a bridal party. You can ask your sisters or closest friends to get hair and makeup done with you, or simply have them join you after you're ready for some picture-perfect shots.

The role of a best man

Pre-Wedding Duties:

• Help the groom select, rent, or purchase his wedding attire.
• Organize the bachelor party, including planning activities, picking a venue, and managing the budget.
• Assist the groom in writing and practicing his wedding speech.
• Attend wedding rehearsals and coordinate the groomsmen's outfits, fittings, and travel accommodations.
• Ensure that all groomsmen have their attire and accessories for the wedding day.

Wedding Day Duties:

• Support the groom in any way necessary, from helping him get dressed to reminding him to stay calm and breathe.
• Keep the wedding rings safe and present them during the ceremony.
• Ensure the groom has his vows and other necessary items, such as his wallet and keys.
• Assist with transportation to the ceremony and reception venues.
• Help welcome the guests and make them feel comfortable.
• Work with the photographers to facilitate smooth and efficient photo-taking.
• During the ceremony, follow the officiant's instructions and stand by the groom's side.
• At the reception, act as a host by helping guests find their tables and coordinating activities.
• Give a memorable and well-prepared speech, toasting the newlyweds.

Post-Wedding Duties:

• Return the groom's tuxedo or suit if it was rented.
• Help with the cleanup, including removing decorations and returning rentals.
• Coordinate with the vendors to ensure they are paid.
• Check in with the newlyweds after their honeymoon to offer congratulations and support.

The best man is also expected to pay for certain expenses, such as their own attire and a gift for the couple. Additionally, the best man should foster good relationships with the groomsmen and bridesmaids, creating a positive and collaborative atmosphere.

Wedding traditions

A "man of honor" is a male who holds the role traditionally called "maid of honor". This role is becoming more common, especially if the bride's best friend or confidante is male. The man of honor's duties are similar to those of a maid of honor, such as planning the bachelorette party, attending pre-wedding events, and providing emotional support to the bride. The man of honor can also be in charge of communication and budget management for the bridal party. On the wedding day, he stands by the bride's side and acts as her go-to person.

Similarly, a "bridesman" is a male member of the bridal party who is not the "man of honor". The bride can opt for this if she has a male friend who doesn't want the role of "man of honor". The groom can also have a "grooms-woman" or "best woman", and they can choose to have a "best person" instead of a "best man".

Ultimately, the wedding party should include the couple's closest friends and most important people, regardless of gender. Mixing genders in the wedding party may be nontraditional, but many people are embracing this change and making their weddings more inclusive and reflective of their personalities.

Frequently asked questions