Groomsmen Or Ushers: Male Bridesmaids Explained

While it is common for bridesmaids to be women, it is becoming more popular for men to take on this role. These male attendants are known as 'bridesmen' and can be involved in everything from planning the wedding to being the bride's emotional support. They can wear either the same suit as the groomsmen or a suit that blends in with the bridal party's colour scheme.

Male bridesmaids: Roles and responsibilities

A male bridesmaid, sometimes known as a bridesman, is a non-traditional role that is becoming more common in modern wedding parties. The role of a male bridesmaid is to support the bride and be her right-hand man throughout the planning process and on the big day. Here are some of the key roles and responsibilities to consider:

Planning and Preparation

Like female bridesmaids, male bridesmaids are often involved in planning pre-wedding events such as the bridal shower and bachelorette party. They can also help with wedding planning tasks, such as DIY projects, collecting items, and setting up the venue. It is important for male bridesmaids to be emotionally supportive of the bride during the planning process, offering a calm and caring presence.

Attire

When it comes to attire, a male bridesmaid can either match the groomsmen or stand out with a unique tie, vest, or boutonniere. The key is to complement the bridesmaids' dresses. Some male bridesmaids may prefer to wear a different-coloured suit to stand out from the groomsmen.

On the Wedding Day

On the day of the wedding, male bridesmaids have a crucial role in supporting the bride and ensuring everything runs smoothly. They can help the bride get ready, provide snacks and drinks for the bridal party, and be a point of contact for guests and vendors. Male bridesmaids also participate in the ceremony, walking down the aisle and possibly giving a speech or wedding reading.

Post-Wedding

Even after the wedding, the role of a male bridesmaid doesn't end. They can help with returning hired clothing, taking down decorations, and transporting gifts. Male bridesmaids can also assist with post-wedding events, such as a next-day brunch.

Benefits of Having a Male Bridesmaid

Having a male bridesmaid can bring several benefits to the wedding party. They can provide extra muscle for heavy lifting and act as a bodyguard for the bachelorette party. A male bridesmaid can also offer a unique perspective, providing advice on gifts for the groom, suit styles for the groomsmen, and drink selections.

In conclusion, the role of a male bridesmaid is to provide support, assistance, and a fun celebration for the bride on her special day. While there are no set rules, these guidelines can help male bridesmaids navigate their responsibilities and create memorable experiences for the wedding party and guests.

Man of honour: Wedding duties

A man of honour is a male version of a maid of honour, and the role is becoming increasingly popular at weddings. The man of honour is usually a close friend or relative of the bride and is chosen because of their important role in the bride's life.

The primary role of a man of honour is the same as that of a maid or matron of honour: to support the bride and groom. However, the specifics of the role can be adjusted to make the experience memorable and fun for the couple and the man of honour.

• Finding the perfect attire: The man of honour can coordinate with the other men in the wedding party or 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 could wear a navy suit. Alternatively, he could wear a matching suit with a unique tie, vest, or pocket square.
• Planning pre-wedding events: The man of honour can assist with planning the bridal shower and bachelorette party. These events can be made gender-neutral, such as having a couple's shower or a co-ed trip to a fun city like Vegas or New Orleans.
• Wedding-day duties: On the wedding day, the man of honour caters to the bride, ensuring she remains calm and relaxed. They also ensure that everything runs smoothly behind the scenes, such as directing the photographer, checking on vendors, and making sure the bride has everything she needs.
• Giving a speech: The man of honour is usually expected to make a speech at the reception, where they can speak from the heart about their special relationship with the bride.
• Processional and recessional: During the ceremony processional and recessional, the man of honour can walk with the best man, escort a bridesmaid, walk with the ring bearer or flower girls, or even escort the bride's parents if he is the bride's brother.
• Reception duties: At the reception, the man of honour may be asked to give a toast to the newlyweds, just like a maid of honour. They can also participate in the bridal party dance and other traditional reception activities.
• General assistance: The man of honour can help with various tasks, such as acting as a messenger between the bridesmaids and groomsmen, giving a male perspective on gifts for the groom, and being a bodyguard at the bachelorette party.

Bridesman: Attire and accessories

A "bridesman" is a term for a male who is chosen to be one of the bride's bridesmaids. The role of a bridesman is to assist the bride in the planning process, attend showers and parties, and stand beside the bride on the big day.

When it comes to attire, the key is to complement the bridesmaids' dresses. You can decide if you want the bridesman to stand out from the groomsmen or match them. Many bridesmen wear the same suit as the groomsmen but choose unique accessories such as a tie, vest, or boutonniere in a different colour or pattern. If you prefer the bridesman to stand out more, he could wear a different-coloured suit.

Accessories are a great way to elevate the bridesman's look and can also serve as a thoughtful gift. Here are some ideas for accessories:

• A custom hair accessory, such as a beaded clip with the word "bridesman" or a fun pattern such as beer mugs, moustaches, or argyle.
• A personalised tie clip with their initials, their role in the wedding, and the date.
• A flask and bottle opener set with their name and role engraved.
• A pair of novelty socks with a custom sleeve, proposing the role of bridesman.
• For a more understated look, opt for simple and subtle accessories such as delicate jewellery.
• If you want the suit to stand out, consider adding a bold accessory like gold sculptural earrings or a statement boutonniere.

Remember, there is no rulebook for the responsibilities and attire of a bridesman, so feel free to customise the role to fit your wedding party and celebration!

Male bridesmaids: Pros and cons

Male bridesmaids, or "bridesmen", are becoming more common in modern wedding parties. While the decision to include a man in the bridal party may raise a few eyebrows, there are several benefits to having a male bridesmaid. Here are some pros and cons to consider:

Pros:

• Honouring your closest friends: A male bridesmaid allows you to include your best guy friends in your wedding party, regardless of their gender. This way, you can honour your closest friends and have them by your side on your special day.
• Planning assistance: A bridesman can provide valuable help during the planning process. They can offer a male perspective and assist with tasks such as coordinating communication, budgeting, and planning pre-wedding events like the bachelorette party.
• Extra muscle: A male bridesmaid can provide necessary muscle for tasks such as heavy lifting during wedding setup and breakdown. They can also act as a bouncer at your reception or a bodyguard during the bachelorette party.
• Non-gendered events: Including a male bridesmaid can encourage you to make your wedding events non-gendered. This means your guy friends can join in on the celebrations, and you can have a couple's wedding shower instead of a traditional female-only bridal shower.
• Emotional support: A man of honour can provide emotional support to the bride during the wedding planning process and on the big day itself. They can act as a helpful mediator and therapist, especially when dealing with family drama or bridal party conflicts.

Cons:

• Role confusion: As the role of a male bridesmaid is non-traditional, there may be confusion regarding their responsibilities and duties. The bride will need to decide what tasks to assign to the bridesman, which may include a mix of traditional bridesmaid duties and unique responsibilities.
• Attire coordination: Dressing a male bridesmaid can be a challenge. While they can wear the same suit as the groomsmen with a unique tie or boutonniere, coordinating their outfit with the bridesmaid dresses may require some creativity.
• Tradition: While traditions are changing, having a male bridesmaid may still raise eyebrows and go against the expectations of some guests. This could be a con if you are concerned about adhering to traditional gender roles at your wedding.
• Expenses: Including a male bridesmaid may incur additional expenses for the bride, such as gifts, pre-wedding celebrations, and attire costs. These expenses are similar to those associated with female bridesmaids.

Ultimately, the decision to include a male bridesmaid in your wedding party depends on your personal preferences and the dynamics of your friendship group. There are benefits and drawbacks to consider, but the most important factor is choosing the people who are closest to you to stand by your side on your wedding day.

Gender-neutral wedding parties

While weddings have traditionally been highly gendered affairs, modern weddings are increasingly embracing gender neutrality. This is partly due to the fact that weddings are no longer limited to opposite-sex couples and may include guests identifying across the gender spectrum.

A gender-neutral wedding party typically refers to a mixed-gender group of people standing alongside the couple at the altar. This can include "bridesmen", "groomsmaids", "men of honour", or "best wo-men". The key benefit of this approach is that it allows couples to include their closest friends in their bridal party, regardless of gender.

When it comes to attire, gender-neutral wedding parties often embrace a more flexible dress code. While some opt for complementary accessories, such as ties or pocket squares, others allow their wedding party to choose their own clothes, as long as they fit the colour scheme. It is also becoming more common for couples to give guidance such as, "Wear the style of attire most suited for [your] comfort level and appropriate alignment with [your] gender identity and gender expression, so long as the dress code is honoured."

To create an inclusive environment, it is recommended to avoid bridal-based terms such as "bridal party" and "bridal suite", and instead use more general terms like "wedding party" and "getting ready suite". It is also important to ditch old-fashioned gender roles and allow individuals to take on roles and responsibilities that they are comfortable with, regardless of gender.

In terms of pre-wedding events, gender-neutral wedding parties may opt for combined bachelor and bachelorette parties, or couple's wedding showers, rather than separating events by gender. This ensures that everyone feels included and celebrated.

Overall, the key to a successful gender-neutral wedding party is communication and flexibility. By embracing these principles, couples can create a wedding that truly reflects their values and celebrates the diversity of their loved ones.

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