One bride-to-be I met who needed help with her wedding planning hit me with a question that I get asked sometimes; “Can I have a male bridesmaid?” – and I answered, “Of course, you can!”
It doesn’t always mean that a bride always has a female chief attendant. If her best friend is male, then she can definitely have a male bridesmaid. But what is a male bridesmaid called? Read on for answers…
What is the Correct Title for a Male Bridesmaid?
What to call a male bridesmaid? If male bridesmaids, or chief attendants are okay and acceptable, what is the correct name for male bridesmaids, or bridesmen? – Is it Maid of Dishonor? or maybe Bridesdude? Perhaps not…
A male bridesmaid is called Man of Honor – actually the male Maid of Honor. It is like being the best man as well but the difference between the Man of Honor and the Best Man is that, he is chosen by the bride to be her chief attendant and help her through the planning and duration of the wedding. Of course, these days it is indeed possible to have a male close friend that you want to have as your chief attendant for your wedding. Although it’s like breaking traditions, but it is however allowed at weddings.
Is it ok to be a Male Maid of Honor During the Ceremony? |
So what about the wedding procession, can you have a male bridesmaid mixed in with the other ladies of the wedding entourage? During the ceremony when bridesmaids and groomsmen walk in pairs, you can always make them walk single-file. This way, they can get good exposure individually.
There is no rule about walking in pairs at a wedding. It is just tradition that usually dictates that – but it is about time to break traditions and give way to male and gay best-friends, as well as brothers of the bride-to-be, let them become men of honor. Want more? We’ve got unique wedding processional ideas to liven up your ceremony.
What about the best man? Check out the best man responsibilities checklist and guide.
“Is it ok to be a male maid of honor? – Yes, no problem! Many girls these days have best friends who are male and it’s normal for them to help the bride-to-be.”
Looking for groomsmen gifts? We’ve got great ideas for cheap groomsmen gifts.
What is Suitable Male Bridesmaid Attire?
So what does a male bridesmaid, or a man of honor wear during the wedding? – Should you have a male bridesmaid wear a dress with the girls? Of course not – he doesn’t have to wear a dress, unless it’s a Scottish wedding, and then it would be called a kilt anyway! Actually, the man of honor usually dresses like the groomsmen. You can let him wear a tux and have a different boutonniere for him so he can stand out from the others, or you can give him a tie that matches that of the bridesmaids.
Duties of Male Bridesmaid or ‘Man of Honor’
If you are having a man of honor instead of a maid of honor, his duties and responsibilities are the same as that of maid of honor but at some point when there is girly stuff needed, you may want to delegate it to another bridesmaid. Read more about the difference between maid of honor and matron of honor and the duties that are involved.
Of course, the main duty of maid of honor is to host the bridal shower and bachelorette party and in this particular event, the man of honor joins the rest of the guys at the bachelor party and not with the ladies. Although your wedding guests may not be able to tell right away if your man of honor is indeed your man of honor and not the best man, you always have to make sure that your man of honor stays with the bride’s group during pictorials.
Having a male bridesmaid? That’s a pretty cool idea indeed! Comment, tweet, share your stories about it…
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I recently asked my brother to be one of my bridesmaids for my wedding this coming May and he agreed to it. One of the girls who I was going to have on my side was recently in a car accident and was bruised up pretty bad with a few broken bones and won’t be able to make a full recovery in time so he is stepping in. Literally, that is. I asked him to wear the dress she was going to wear since they are roughly the same size and it looks like it is going to work out great! He’s all out for it (and no he is not a cross-dresser), he is just honored I asked him to take her place. So next month we’re going to the beauty shop together for a complete makeover. He will be getting manicured polished nails, pedicure, full make-over, his other ear pierced (he already has an earring in one ear) and the works. Oh, and he’s also getting waxed in all the appropriate places so there will be no issues when he is out in public that he is not one of the girls. He’s already tried on the dress and it fits fairly well I must say. Of course, we’ll have to help him out some with his ‘figure’, but I’m not worried about it. He has even agreed to wear the pantyhose and the other lingerie the other girls will be wearing too . I just wanted to make it known, that Yes, there are guys out there who will become a Male Bridesmaid in a pinch and make it work. He’s wonderful and I love him for it! Not only do I have the world’s greatest brother, but I have a ‘new’ sister for awhile!
I think as long as it’s done tastefully then it’s ok. Not sure about having a male bridesmaid wear a dress though, there is a time and place for theatre and some wedding traditions should not be broken. Instead of the guy wearing a dess, how about if all the bridesmaids wore smart suits instead? A tux or something…
Well this is very interesting and re-assuring as I’m actually a crossdresser and have a very close female friend who has asked me to be a Bridesmaid for her. No firm date has been set yet, but she’s planning on Spring 2014. I was completely flattered and surprised when she asked me, although we had joked about it for months once she knew that her relationship was getting more serious. I’ve met her partner on many occasions and he’s fine with me. I’m assured that he’s aware of the request, but of course this is a condition of my acceptance! No plans have yet been discussed on dresses and stuff, other than that I will be “one of the girls”, but now that I know that others also find this acceptable any doubts that may have been creeping in have now disappeared! I’ll keep you posted! xx
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I’m having my two brothers as ‘Bridesmates’ for my wedding this June. I’m not having any female bridesmaids because I wanted to share my wedding day with the two people who’ve been beside me my whole life! They are wearing the same dinner suit as the best man but are wearing Pink bowties instead of black so they are definitely ‘Team Bride’. They are going to walk down the aisle before me but won’t be carrying flowers. I’m not having a hens night or bridal shower for them to worry about, I think we’ll all get some drinks together the night before the wedding and we’re going to have a ‘sibling sleep over’ so we’ll probably watch some 90′s movies and reminisce. Not traditional but it’s totally going to work for us.