Best Man, Man Of Honor: Can He Be Both?

Traditionally, the best man is the groom's chief assistant at a wedding, and the maid of honor is the bride's. However, as more couples break from tradition, the roles of the best man and maid of honor are becoming more flexible. A man of honor is a male who holds the role traditionally called maid of honor. This role can be crucial, especially if the bride's best friend is male. Ultimately, it is up to the couple who they choose to be by their side on their wedding day.

The best man is the groom's chief assistant

On the wedding day, the best man ensures the groom is ready for the ceremony and that the groomsmen are gathered and looking sharp. He also makes sure the wedding rings are in their proper place for the ceremony, either holding on to them himself or ensuring they have been given to the maid of honour. The best man will also be expected to give a speech at the reception.

In addition to these specific duties, the best man's overarching role is to be there for the groom, providing support and assistance with whatever is needed. This could include helping with menial tasks, such as getting the tux in order or organising the other groomsmen. The best man is an important source of support for the groom, helping to ensure that the wedding planning process and the day itself are as stress-free as possible.

The man of honour wears the same colour as the bridesmaids

While the best man is typically chosen from the groom's side, and the maid of honour from the bride's, there is no reason why you can't mix things up and have a man of honour. This role is ideal if your best friend is male, and you want him to stand beside you on your big day.

A man of honour can wear the same colour as the bridesmaids. Typically, the best man wears a tie that matches the other groomsmen, while the man of honour wears a tie that matches the bridesmaids' dresses. However, there are no hard and fast rules, and you can choose whatever colour scheme you like. If you want to distinguish between the best man and the man of honour, you could consider different boutonnieres, vests, or ties.

The man of honour can perform all the same duties as a maid of honour, such as planning the bridal shower and bachelorette party, and helping the bride with any tasks she needs assistance with. On the day of the wedding, the man of honour can help minimise stress for the bride, and act as a witness to the marriage, signing the marriage certificate.

The man of honour is a great way to add a unique twist to your wedding and is sure to make for some fun photo opportunities. It's your day, so ultimately, the decision is yours!

The best man is responsible for organising the bachelor party

Planning the bachelor party can be a daunting task, but the best man need not worry, as he can enlist the other groomsmen to help out with logistics and offer recommendations. The best man is also not expected to pay for the entire party—the cost is usually split evenly among the attendees, except for the groom.

The bachelor party can take many forms, from a local whiskey distillery visit to an epic long weekend celebration in a far-flung location. It is typically scheduled for the week before the wedding, and is a chance for the groom to celebrate with his friends before he gets married.

In some cultures, the bachelor party is hosted and paid for by the groom, but in recent times, this tradition has evolved, and it is now more common for the best man to organise the event. The best man may also be responsible for other pre-wedding events, such as the engagement party and shower, as well as the ceremony rehearsal and rehearsal dinner.

The maid of honour plans the bridal shower and bachelorette party

The maid of honor is the bride's closest friend and right-hand woman, and she plays a key role in helping the bride plan her special day while also providing emotional support. One of the most important duties of the maid of honor is planning the bridal shower and bachelorette party.

Planning the Bridal Shower

Planning a bridal shower can be quite an undertaking, but with the proper plan in place, it can be easy and fun. Here are some tips to help the maid of honor plan a successful bridal shower:

• Choose a theme that mirrors the bride's vision for her wedding. This can be as vague as mirroring the bride's color scheme or as specific as having a tea party.
• Select a venue that fits the theme and the budget of the other bridesmaids. Most restaurants offer banquet rooms for rent, or you could host a backyard bridal shower.
• Send out invitations with the date, time, virtual option, and expected duration of the shower.
• Figure out the food and beverages, considering the bride's preferences and traditional light finger foods.
• Decide on the dress code, taking into account the season and venue to ensure the comfort of the guests.
• Prepare decorations and games, such as tables and chairs, place settings, prizes, a throne for the bride, and a table for gifts.

Planning the Bachelorette Party

Planning an unforgettable bachelorette party is another important role for the maid of honor. Here are some tips to make it a meaningful bonding experience:

• Talk to the bride about her ideal bachelorette party tone and experience, whether she prefers a low-key pajama party or an adventurous weekend getaway.
• Select a destination that fits the bride's desired vibe and guest list size, such as a luxe hotel or a beach cottage rental.
• Curate the guest list, striking a balance between intimacy and including everyone the bride wants, such as bridesmaids, close friends, and family.
• Plan activities that indulge the bride's desires while maintaining a level of class and avoiding crossing major lines.
• Handle the booking of accommodations and transportation for the bachelorette crew, as well as restaurant reservations and entertainment options.

In addition to planning these events, the maid of honor has a wide range of other duties, including providing opinions and assistance throughout the planning process, coordinating key events, offering emotional support, and providing advice and suggestions during the wedding day.

The maid of honour is responsible for minimising the bride's stress

While the role of the best man and the man of honour are not entirely different, there are some key distinctions. The best man is usually the groom's close friend or relative, and he wears the same colour as the groomsmen. On the other hand, the man of honour is the male version of the maid of honour, wearing the same colour as the bridesmaids.

Now, here are some ways in which the maid of honour can minimise the bride's stress:

Before the Wedding

The maid of honour should initiate a conversation with the bride to understand how she can best support her during the wedding planning process. She should also connect with the rest of the bridal party via email or text to ensure everyone is introduced before any wedding activities begin.

One of the most important roles of the maid of honour is to attend wedding dress shopping trips and provide honest and respectful feedback to help the bride find "the one." She should also be prepared for multiple boutique trips and take photos during these appointments.

Additionally, the maid of honour should be available to assist with wedding administration, such as sorting through RSVPs, and DIY projects like addressing invitations, making favours, or assembling decorations. She can also help the bride decide on colour schemes, hairstyles, and other details.

During the Wedding

The maid of honour has several responsibilities on the day of the wedding itself. She should ensure that any reception items, such as toasting flutes or the guest book, are dropped off at the ceremony or reception venue. She should also keep the bridal suite tidy and ensure the bridesmaids remove their belongings so the newlyweds return to a neat room.

Emotional support is a crucial aspect of the maid of honour's role. She should keep the bride calm and excited by popping a bottle of champagne and toasting with the bride squad before the ceremony. It is also important to remind the bride to eat something throughout the day, especially a protein-rich snack, to fend off hunger pains.

The maid of honour may also be called upon to assist the mother of the bride with her hair, makeup, or simply by offering her water, snacks, and champagne. She should also keep an eye on the groom to ensure he doesn't see the bride before the ceremony, if they are following that tradition.

After the Wedding

Even after the wedding ceremony, the maid of honour's duties continue. She should be prepared to give a speech at the reception, making it unique, meaningful, and effective. She may also need to help set up the venue if it's a DIY wedding, including tasks such as setting up table settings or arranging floral decorations.

The maid of honour should also ensure the bridal party stays on schedule, managing their arrivals, feeding and hydrating them, and coordinating hair and makeup appointments. She will also need to answer any logistical questions for the bride and ensure the bridal party understands their lineup and ceremony roles.

Additionally, the maid of honour is responsible for carrying the bride's bouquet and the groom's ring during the ceremony until it's time to exchange them. She should also witness the signing of the marriage license along with the best man.

Finally, the maid of honour plays a crucial role in getting the party started. If the celebration hits a lull, she should work with the best man to get people on the dance floor and ensure everyone is having a good time.

Frequently asked questions