A Gentleman's Honor: Wedding Traditions Revisited

Wedding traditions are evolving, and today's couples are breaking free from gender-based bridal parties. This has given rise to the concept of a man of honor, a male who holds the role traditionally called maid of honor. A man of honor is usually the bride's brother, close family member, or best friend, and he takes on extra responsibilities to prepare for the wedding and support the bride. He may lead the bridal party, coordinate communication and budget, plan the bachelorette party, and be the bride's emotional support. While it is not a requirement, having a man of honor can add a unique and memorable twist to the wedding, and it is a great way to include a special male figure in the bride's life.

Man of honor vs best man: what's the difference?

The best man is the groom's right-hand man and chief assistant. He is usually a close friend or relative chosen by the groom, who stands next to the groom during the wedding ceremony. The best man's duties include assisting the groom on the wedding day, organising a bachelor party, keeping the wedding rings safe, acting as a legal witness to the marriage, and preparing a speech.

A man of honour, on the other hand, is a male who holds the role traditionally called "maid of honour". He is usually the bride's brother, close family member, or best friend, and his main duty is to support the bride and groom. The man of honour's responsibilities include standing by the bride's side, helping to lead the bridal party, coordinating communication and the budget, planning the bachelorette party, and providing emotional support to the bride.

In terms of attire, the best man usually wears a tie the same colour as the other groomsmen, while the man of honour typically wears a tie that matches the bridesmaids' dresses. However, there is no fixed rule, and couples can choose to mix things up.

While the roles of the best man and the man of honour have some similarities, they primarily differ in that the best man is part of the groom's wedding party and the man of honour is part of the bride's.

Who can be a man of honor?

Who can be a man of honour?

The man of honour is a role that is typically filled by a man who is a close friend or family member of the bride. This could be a brother, cousin, adult son, stepson, nephew, or any other male figure who holds a significant role in the life of the bride. The primary role of the man of honour is to support the bride and groom, and they will have a number of duties to perform before and during the wedding celebration.

The man of honour is the official head of the bridal party and will serve as the main point of contact between the bride and the bridesmaids. They will help to lead the bridal party and act as a mediator and therapist for any conflicts or issues that may arise. The man of honour will also be expected to give a speech at the wedding reception, usually touching on their relationship with the bride and expressing well wishes for the couple.

In terms of attire, the man of honour's outfit can coordinate with the other men in the wedding party or with the other attendants on the bride's side. For example, if the groomsmen are wearing grey suits and the bridesmaids are wearing navy dresses, the man of honour might wear a navy suit. Alternatively, if the couple prefers all the suits to match, the man of honour could wear a tie or pocket square that sets him apart.

It is important to note that the man of honour should feel comfortable and included throughout the process. Even if they are close to the bride, they may not know the other bridesmaids very well or may feel self-conscious as the only male in the group. It is also a good idea to ask the man of honour if there is something specific he would like to do during the wedding planning process.

Asking him to be your man of honor

Asking your best guy friend to be your man of honor? It's a great idea! More and more couples are breaking tradition and making their own rules at their weddings. It's unconventional in the best way and will make for some fun photo opportunities. Plus, who says you have to choose between a man of honor and a maid of honor? You can have both!

But how do you ask him? Well, first of all, don't be surprised if he hesitates before agreeing to join your bridal party. Even if you have a close relationship, he may feel awkward taking on a nontraditional role. So, when you ask him, be sure to share why you want to give him this important role, but also be receptive to any reservations, and give him the freedom to define what this title might entail. Ask him what would make the experience more comfortable and fun for him. For example, if he's dragging his feet about a specific part of the wedding process, like dress fittings or a ladies-only bachelorette party, let him skip it.

Once he's on board, what will his duties be? Well, similar to the responsibilities of a maid of honor, a man of honor's duties involve standing by your side and helping to lead the rest of the bridal party in planning wedding events. He'll be the official head of the bridal party, serving as the point person between you and the bridesmaids. He'll also coordinate communication, organize the bridal party budget, plan the bachelorette party, and lead the bachelorette celebration. He'll be your emotional support throughout the process and will be expected to give a speech at the wedding reception.

So, go ahead and ask your favorite guy to be your man of honor! It's a great way to include your best male friend or family member in your special day and will add a unique and fun twist to your wedding celebrations.

Man of honor attire

A man of honour's wedding attire is usually the same as that of the groomsmen. However, if the man of honour wants to stand out, he can wear a tie, pocket square, or even a suit that matches the bridesmaids' dresses. For example, if the bridesmaids are wearing pink, the man of honour could wear a pink tie or pocket square, or even a pink suit.

The man of honour's outfit can also be coordinated with the other men in the wedding party or with the other attendants on the bride's side. For instance, if the groomsmen are wearing grey suits and the bridesmaids are wearing navy dresses, the man of honour could wear a navy suit. Alternatively, if the couple prefers everyone to wear matching suits, the man of honour could wear a tie or pocket square that sets him apart from the other men.

Additionally, the man of honour can wear a boutonnière that matches the bridesmaids' bouquets. This is a great way to ensure that he stands out as the head of the bridal party and is easily identifiable.

For brides who want to make a fashion statement, having everyone in the bridal party, both male and female, wear similar masculine-inspired formalwear can be a unique option. For example, the man of honour and the bridesmaids could wear tuxedos, with the women in feminine tailored tuxedos in the same colour.

Ultimately, the man of honour's attire should be comfortable and something that he feels confident in. It is important to remember that the wedding is a celebration, and the man of honour's outfit should reflect the joy and happiness of the occasion.

Man of honor wedding duties

A man of honour is a male who holds the role traditionally filled by a "maid of honour". The role of a man of honour is to support the bride and groom and perform the duties of a maid of honour, which can be adjusted to make the experience more comfortable and enjoyable for the man of honour.

Planning and Coordination

• Planning pre-wedding events, such as the bridal shower and bachelorette party.
• Leading the bridal party and acting as a point of contact between the bride and the bridesmaids.
• Organising communication between the bridal party, such as email threads and text chains.
• Managing the bridal party budget and costs for attire, trips, gifts, and showers.
• Coordinating the bridal party's attire and ensuring they adhere to the couple's colour and style preferences.
• Creating a timeline for the bridal party's activities during the wedding weekend and keeping them informed of any changes.
• Organising the getting-ready suite for the bridal party on the morning of the wedding, including communicating with the hair and makeup team and organising food and drinks.

Emotional Support

• Being the bride's emotional support throughout the wedding planning process and on the wedding day.
• Helping to calm the bride's nerves and ensuring she has everything she needs on the wedding day.

On the Wedding Day

• Wrangling the bridal party and ensuring everything runs smoothly behind the scenes.
• Directing vendors, such as photographers and musicians, and ensuring they arrive on time.
• Participating in bridal party photos.
• Standing next to the bride during the ceremony and helping to arrange her dress, veil, and bouquet.
• Giving a speech at the reception, usually focusing on the relationship with the bride and wishing the couple well.
• Acting as a gofer/assistant for tasks on the wedding day and helping with any last-minute issues.

It is important to note that the specific duties of a man of honour may vary depending on the bride's preferences and the man of honour's comfort level with certain tasks. Open communication between the bride and the man of honour is essential to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience for everyone involved.

Frequently asked questions