Who Should Be The Bride's Best Man?

While it is not traditional, brides today are increasingly choosing to have a male member of their bridal party, known as a bridesman. This role is the male equivalent of a bridesmaid and is often a relative or close friend. The bridesman's duties are similar to those of a bridesmaid, including offering emotional support to the bride, attending pre-wedding events, and helping with wedding projects.

On the other hand, the best man is typically the groom's closest friend or family member, acting as the chief assistant to the groom. The best man's duties include planning the bachelor party, keeping the wedding rings safe, standing next to the groom during the ceremony, and giving a speech at the reception.

In modern weddings, it is becoming more common for couples to break away from traditional gender roles, with best women, bridesmen, or bridesmates welcomed as additions to the wedding party.

The bride's best man: Roles and responsibilities

The role of the best man is traditionally assigned to the groom, but there is a growing trend of brides also having a best man, often referred to as a "best woman", "man of honour", or "bridesman". This person is usually a close female friend or relative of the bride and is chosen to be part of the bridal party.

The bride's best man has a variety of roles and responsibilities, which can include:

• Planning the bachelorette party or hen do
• Providing emotional support and helping the bride with decision-making, such as choosing the location, vendors, invitations, attire, theme, and decorations
• Helping the bride get dressed on the wedding day and ensuring gifts are stored safely
• Giving a speech at the reception, often including anecdotes about the bride
• Acting as a witness and signing the marriage license and certificate
• Helping to choose the bridal party's attire and purchasing or hiring their own outfit
• Assisting with wedding planning and administrative tasks, such as booking vendors and managing RSVPs
• Running errands on the morning of the wedding
• Participating in photos with the bride and bridal party
• Interacting with guests at the reception and getting the dancing started
• Attending post-wedding events, such as a morning-after brunch
• Checking in with the bride post-wedding to recap memories of the special day

The bride's best man is an important role, providing support and assistance to the bride throughout the wedding planning process and on the big day itself.

The bride's best man: Bachelorette party planning

The role of best man is a position of honour and trust, and it is becoming more common for brides to appoint a male friend or relative as their best man. The bride's best man has a variety of duties, including providing emotional support, helping with wedding planning, and organising the bachelorette party. This guide will focus on the bachelorette party planning aspect of the role.

Planning the Bachelorette Party

As the bride's best man, you will be expected to plan an epic bachelorette party. This involves working with the bride to create a guest list and choosing a date and location that works for the majority of attendees. It is important to consider everyone's budget when planning the event and to personalise the party with games and activities that the bride will enjoy.

Timing and Location

Ideally, the bachelorette party should be held one to two months before the wedding, giving everyone time to recover before the big day. When choosing a location, consider the bride's interests and the group's budget. A local or destination bachelorette party can be equally fun, depending on what the bride would prefer.

Activities and Games

To personalise the bachelorette party, incorporate games and activities that the bride enjoys. This could include wine tasting, spa treatments, dancing, or other fun activities. You can also organise funny pranks or surprises for the bride, adding a touch of humour to the celebration.

Invitations and Guest List

Work with the bride to finalise the guest list, ensuring that all the important women in her life are included. Send out invitations with all the necessary details, including the date, location, and any special instructions. It is a good idea to send out invitations at least a month in advance to give guests enough time to plan and RSVP.

Final Preparations

In the lead-up to the bachelorette party, confirm all the arrangements and finalise any last-minute details. Check with the bride to ensure that she is happy with the plans and that nothing has been overlooked. On the day of the party, be prepared to greet guests and create a warm and festive atmosphere.

During the Bachelorette Party

Your role during the bachelorette party is to ensure that the bride is having a good time and that everything runs smoothly. Offer to help with any last-minute tasks, such as pouring drinks or organising games. Be mindful of the bride's comfort and well-being, and ensure that she is enjoying herself.

Planning a bachelorette party as the bride's best man is a fun and rewarding experience. By following the steps outlined above, you can create a memorable and enjoyable celebration for the bride and her guests. Remember to stay organised, communicate openly, and personalise the event to match the bride's interests and preferences.

The bride's best man: Wedding attire

The bride's best man, or "best woman", is a relatively new role in weddings, and the attire is not as established as that of the groomsmen or bridesmaids. However, there are a few options to consider.

Firstly, the best woman can opt for a female tuxedo or suit, matching the style and colouring of the groomsmen. This is a popular choice as it creates a cohesive look with the rest of the wedding party. Alternatively, if the best woman is close to the bride, she may prefer to wear a dress that matches the colour scheme of the groomsmen. A third option is to wear an outfit that blends in with the bridal party's colour scheme. This could be a suit or a dress, depending on her preference.

To add a special touch, the bride's best woman can coordinate an accessory, such as a tie, bow tie, or pocket square, with the bridesmaids' dresses. For example, the best woman could wear a boutonniere that matches the bridesmaids' flowers. If the best woman is open to the idea, she could even carry her own bouquet.

It is important to consider the best woman's comfort and personal style when choosing her attire. Communicating with the couple about their expectations and preferences is also essential to ensure the attire is appropriate for the wedding.

The bride's best man: Wedding rings

Traditionally, the role of the best man is given to the groom's closest friend or family member, but this is not set in stone. The best man is the groom's equivalent of the bride's maid of honour and is usually tasked with important duties on the wedding day, such as keeping the wedding rings safe. However, there is no reason why the bride can't have a male best friend or family member as her best man.

The Role of the Best Man

The best man is the chief assistant to the groom at a wedding. They are usually responsible for planning the groom's bachelor party, keeping the wedding rings safe, standing next to the groom during the ceremony, and giving a speech at the reception. The best man also acts as a legal witness to the marriage and signs the marriage certificate.

The Bride's Best Man

If the bride chooses to have a best man, he would typically take on similar responsibilities to those of the groom's best man. This could include helping the bride with planning and preparation, providing emotional support, and helping to choose the bridal party's attire. On the wedding day itself, the bride's best man might help the bride get ready, ensure the wedding rings are safe, and give a speech at the reception.

Breaking Gender Norms

In modern weddings, it is becoming increasingly common for couples to break away from traditional gender roles. The best man does not have to be a man, and the role can be filled by anyone the couple feels comfortable with. They may be referred to as a best woman, a bridesman, or any other title the couple prefers.

Logistics

If the bride has a male friend or family member as her best man, there are a few logistical considerations. For example, what will he wear? He could wear a suit that matches the style and colour of the groomsmen or something that blends in with the bridal party's colour scheme. It is also important to consider the symmetry of the wedding photos and whether the best man will stand with the bride or the groom during the ceremony.

Advantages

Having a male friend or family member as the bride's best man can bring a different energy to the wedding party. As the sole male, he may be relied upon to be the "fun one" or to break the ice with a little humour. He can also offer a unique perspective and provide support and friendship to the bride.

Ultimately, the decision to have a best man is a personal one, and the bride should choose whoever she feels closest to and most comfortable with. Whether it is a male or female best man, the most important thing is that they are there to support the bride and ensure her special day runs smoothly.

The bride's best man: Master of ceremonies

The role of best man is typically assigned to the groom's closest friend or family member, but there's no set rule about who can take on this role. In fact, it's becoming more and more common for brides to have a "best man" of their own—a "best woman", if you will. This person is often a close female friend or family member of the bride, and is also known as a "bridesman".

The best man is the chief assistant to the groom at a wedding, and the equivalent role for the bride is the maid of honour. The best man's duties include planning the stag do, writing and delivering a speech, and helping the groomsmen choose their attire. If the couple decides not to have a toastmaster or master of ceremonies, the best man may also take on this role, announcing key moments such as the couple's arrival, the speeches, and the cake-cutting.

The Master of Ceremonies

The duties of the master of ceremonies vary from wedding to wedding, but the role essentially involves sticking to the schedule and making announcements as the day progresses. The MC knows exactly what is happening and when, and acts as the main point of contact for guests.

The Bride's Best Man

So, what does it mean for a bride to have a "best man"? Well, just like a best man or maid of honour, a best woman provides support and helps the bride with decision-making. They also help with planning the bachelorette party, getting ready on the day, and providing emotional support. A best woman might also give a speech, and dance with the best man to kick off the reception.

Attire

When it comes to what a best woman should wear, it's really up to the individual and what they feel comfortable in. They might wear a female tuxedo or suit, matching the style and colouring of the groomsmen. Alternatively, they could wear a dress that fits the colour scheme, or even something similar to the bridesmaids' outfits.

Gifts

While it's traditional to gift the best man something like cufflinks or a bottle of whisky, the bride might want to give her best woman something more personalised.

Activities

There's no reason why the activities should be any different for a mixed-gender bridal party. The bride's best man can join in with all the usual activities, from the bachelorette party to the morning-after brunch.

Symmetry in Photos

One thing to consider is the symmetry of photos. The bride and groom might want to discuss this with their best (wo)men ahead of time, to ensure that everyone is happy with the arrangement and no one is left out of key pictures.

Frequently asked questions