While wedding parties were traditionally divided by gender, with women supporting the bride and men supporting the groom, modern weddings are increasingly gender-inclusive. A male member of the bridal party is called a bridesman and is chosen by the bride to be a member of the bridal party. Similarly, a female member of the groom's party is called a groomsman. The terms man of honor and best person are also used for male members of the bridal party, and best woman for female members of the groom's party. Ultimately, it is up to the couple to decide on a term that they are comfortable with.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Name | Bridesman, Man of Honour |
Description | Male equivalent of a bridesmaid |
Chosen By | The bride |
Relationship to Bride | Relative or close friend |
Role | Member of the bridal party |
Responsibilities | Assist the bride in the planning process, attend pre-wedding events and parties, and provide support on the wedding day |
Attire | Similar to groomsmen with an accessory that matches the bridesmaids' colour scheme, or a suit that blends in with the bridal party colour scheme |
What You'll Learn
Male bridesmaids are called 'bridesmen'
Male bridesmaids are called bridesmen. A bridesman is the male equivalent of a bridesmaid and is chosen by the bride to be a member of the bridal party. He is often a relative or close friend who has been a loyal friend of the bride.
The role of a bridesman is similar to that of a bridesmaid, and he is expected to assist the bride in the planning process, attend showers and parties, and stand beside her on the big day. The bridesman's biggest job is to be a great friend, a gentleman, and an extension of the host for the guests. He can also help with planning, be a messenger between the bridesmaids and groomsmen, and run last-minute errands on the day of the wedding.
When it comes to attire, the key is to complement the bridesmaid dresses. The bridesman can either wear the same suit as the groomsmen with an accessory that matches the bridesmaids' palette, or he can wear a suit that blends in with the bridal party's color scheme. The boutonniere can be matched to the bridesmaids' flowers, or the bridesman can even carry his own bouquet.
In addition to the traditional duties of a bridesmaid, a bridesman can also bring some unique benefits to the bridal party. He can be necessary muscle, a bouncer at the reception, a bodyguard during the bachelorette party, or even a fill-in boyfriend for one of the bridesmaids.
The decision to have a bridesman may raise a few eyebrows, but it is becoming more and more common for brides to include their closest male friends or family members in their bridal party, regardless of gender.
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They can wear a matching tie, vest or boutonniere
A male bridesmaid, or bridesman, can wear a variety of different outfits to complement the bridal party. One option is to have him wear the same suit as the groomsmen but with a unique accessory, such as a matching tie, vest, or boutonniere that coordinates with the bridesmaids' dresses. This could be a fun way to make him feel like he is part of the bridal party rather than an extension of the groomsmen.
For example, a pink tie, pocket square, or even a pink suit could be chosen if the bridesmaids are wearing pink. Alternatively, he could wear a boutonniere that matches the bridesmaids' bouquets. If you want the bridesman to stand out more, he could wear a different coloured suit than the groomsmen.
Another option is to have the bridesman wear the same outfit as the groomsmen but with a different accessory, such as a tie, shirt, or boutonniere, that better matches the rest of the bridesmaids. This could be a good choice if you want to ensure that the bridesman feels included in the wedding party and doesn't stand out too much.
Ultimately, the decision of what the bridesman should wear is up to the couple and the bridesman himself. The most important thing is to ensure that he is comfortable and looks like he is part of the overall group.
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They can be the bride's 'man of honour'
If you're a bride thinking about having one of your guy friends in your wedding party, you should go for it! It's becoming more and more common for brides to have a close male friend or family member standing by their side at the altar. If they're your support system and close confidant, gender doesn't matter. That's why many brides are choosing to also have a man of honour or a bridesman.
A man of honour is someone who identifies as a man and has a place of honour as the head of the bridal party. They can be the bride's brother, a close family member, or a best friend who takes on extra responsibilities to prepare for the wedding and support the bride. The man of honour is the official head of the bridal party and will serve as the point person between the bride and the bridesmaids. They will help lead the charge as the head of the group, and the bridal party can turn to them for guidance regarding wedding events.
The man of honour should be the one to organize email threads, text chains, and any communication with the bridal party. They should begin early to plan any pre-wedding events and continue to keep everyone in the loop once the wedding weekend begins. They should also be in charge of keeping track of the bridal party budget and organizing payments.
Planning the bachelorette party is also one of the man of honour's duties. While the bride will give directions about where she wants to go and what she wants to do, the man of honour should make reservations, coordinate lodging, get decorations, and organize the wedding party for this bash. In addition to planning the bachelorette, the man of honour should take charge as the leader of the schedule of events. They can delegate tasks, organize transportation, and serve as the host of the festivities honouring the bride.
The man of honour should also be the bride's emotional support throughout the wedding planning process. They can be a helpful mediator and therapist if there is family drama, bridal party conflict, or day-of jitters. The man of honour can also be a great messenger between bridesmaids and groomsmen while everyone is getting ready.
On the day of the wedding, the man of honour can help the bride get dressed, collect cards, rearrange a veil, or help bustle a dress. They should also give a speech at the wedding reception, touching on their relationship with the bride and expressing love and well wishes for the couple.
When it comes to attire, the man of honour's outfit does not have to perfectly match the bridesmaids, but it can be a fun touch to have them tie their outfit into the bridal party palette. For example, if the bridesmaids are wearing pink, the man of honour could wear a pink tie, pocket square, or even a pink suit. He can also wear a boutonniere that matches the bridesmaids' bouquets.
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They can be a bodyguard at the bachelorette party
A male bridesmaid, or "bridesman", can take on many important roles and responsibilities in the lead-up to a wedding, during the ceremony, and at the reception. One such role is that of a bodyguard at the bachelorette party.
The bachelorette party is one of the biggest pre-wedding events, and the presence of a trusted male friend can help ensure the bride and her bridesmaids feel safe and secure during the celebrations. The bridesman can act as a chaperone, keeping an eye on the bride and her friends and ensuring they get home safely at the end of the night. This can be particularly useful if the bachelorette party involves travelling to an unfamiliar location or engaging in adventurous activities.
In addition to providing peace of mind, the bridesman can also participate in the festivities and add to the fun. They can help with planning the bachelorette party, offering a male perspective on potential activities and ensuring the event is tailored to the bride's interests.
Furthermore, the bridesman can act as a liaison between the bridesmaids and groomsmen, helping to coordinate transportation, accommodations, and other logistics. They can also be a helpful messenger between the two groups, ensuring everyone is on the same page and facilitating smooth communication.
By taking on the role of a bodyguard at the bachelorette party, the bridesman contributes to the overall success of the event, allowing the bridal party to relax and enjoy themselves while knowing that someone is looking out for their safety and well-being.
It is worth noting that the role of a bodyguard is just one aspect of what a bridesman can offer. They can also be involved in other pre-wedding activities, such as bridal showers, couples' wedding showers, and joint events with the groom's party. The specific duties of a bridesman can be tailored to the needs and preferences of the bridal party, making their inclusion a unique and valuable addition to the wedding celebrations.
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They can help with the heavy lifting at the wedding
A male bridesmaid, often referred to as a "bridesman", can be an excellent help when it comes to heavy lifting and other physical tasks on the wedding day. They can be the "necessary muscle", as one source puts it, providing an extra pair of hands for the heavy lifting involved in setting up and breaking down the wedding. This might include moving tables and chairs, carrying decorations, or even helping to construct items like an altar or photo booth backdrop.
In addition to their physical strength, a bridesman can also be a great support during the wedding setup by acting as a messenger between the bridesmaids and groomsmen. They can keep everyone informed and ensure smooth communication, which is especially useful if there are any last-minute changes or issues that arise.
On the day of the wedding, a bridesman can also be a helpful presence during the morning preparations. While the bride and bridesmaids are getting their hair and makeup done, the bridesman can run last-minute errands, such as picking up lunch or grabbing a sewing kit for any wardrobe emergencies. They can also be on hand to calm the bride's nerves, pour mimosas, and provide a fun and laid-back energy to ease any pre-wedding jitters.
When it comes to attire, a bridesman can either wear the same suit as the groomsmen with a coordinating accessory, such as a tie, bow tie, or pocket square that matches the bridesmaids' dresses, or he can wear a suit that blends in with the overall colour scheme of the bridal party. This allows him to stand out as part of the bridal party while still maintaining a cohesive look.
Overall, having a male bridesmaid or bridesman is a great way to include close male friends or family members in the bridal party, regardless of gender. Their presence and assistance with the heavy lifting, both physically and logistically, can help ensure that the wedding day runs smoothly and memorably.
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Frequently asked questions
A male equivalent of a bridesmaid is called a "bridesman".
A bridesman is expected to assist the bride in the planning process, attend showers and parties, and stand beside the bride on the big day.
There are a few options for what a bridesman should wear. He can either wear the same suit as the groomsmen with an accessory that matches the bridesmaids' dresses, or he can wear a suit that blends in with the bridal party's color scheme.
Yes, a bridesman can be the bride's brother, close family member, or best friend.
Some creative bridesman gift ideas include a flask and bottle opener set, novelty socks, or a personalized tie clip.