What Does A Man Of Honour Do?

We rarely stop to consider the importance of the Man of Honor during a wedding. Few people are aware of the position, and even fewer understand their responsibilities.

It is entirely up to you to decide who will be by your side on your wedding day. However, there are some caveats to that.

The Maid of Honor and the Best Man are traditionally the only female and male members of the bridal party, respectively.

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However, the reality is that gender doesn't matter as more and more couples choose to break the mould.

What Is a Man of Honour?

An honour man is a male guest who serves as the guest of honour at a wedding.

Each bride should think about whether she would prefer a man of honour instead of or in addition to a maid of honour.

It's crucial to do what makes you feel good on the most significant day of your life, and this is especially true if your closest friend and confidante is a man.

In addition, there could be some significant advantages to including a male voice in the planning process.

Man of Honour Wedding Duties

The bridesmaids and maid of honour are expected to pitch in with various tasks before, during, and after the wedding.

There's no reason to leave a man out of the tradition if he's serving as a bridesmaid or Maid of Honor; just be sure to modify the responsibilities accordingly.

So, it's a good idea to take the Man of Honor dress shopping if he has an interest in such things, but if he doesn't, you shouldn't strangle him.

Man of honour duties can include planning the bridal shower, giving the toast at the reception, or assisting with the catering.

If your attendants are cool with it, you can even have him stay in the bridal suite with you.

Don't Be Boring About the Man of Honour Attire.

Don't skip out on the chance to be creative and come up with a fun and distinctive outfit by clothing the Man of Honor or the bridesman the same as the groomsmen, even though that could sound like a nice idea and be acceptable.

The best man can wear shorts with colourful socks, a boutonniere that coordinates with the flowers in the bridesmaids' bouquets, and a tie or pocket square in the same hue as the bridesmaids' dresses.

Iron Out Wedding Ceremony Details

In terms of the planning of a wedding, the presence of a bridesmaid or a man of honour is not a deal breaker, but it might give rise to some complications that must be addressed in advance.

For instance, if there is a guy in the bridal party, there will be an uneven number of bridesmaids and groomsmen, therefore you may choose to forego the stereotypical processional of groomsmen and bridesmaids holding hands down the aisle.

Reasons Why You Should Have a Man of Honour

Our Guy Friends Mean So Much to Us

Everyone enjoys seeing a strong male and female friendship on screen. But if you and your guy friend frequent the same establishment, you already know how close you are.

Perhaps you and your brother share a special bond; perhaps you count on a male friend or confidant.

Your bridal party should be made up of individuals that love and support you without condition.

If your best man is an integral part of your wedding day and you can't imagine your big day without him, then he should be the Man of Honor.

Unconventional Can Be Beautiful

Anyone who has ever been a bridesmaid knows how relieving it is when the bride lets her attendants choose their own dresses.

It's a huge weight off your shoulders knowing you finally have something to wear that allows you to freely express your individuality while maintaining comfort.

What's more, we think the mismatched clothing theme looks fantastic when executed properly.

The gowns are eclectic but complementary, like a collection from a fashion show, and they all seem to go together.

Since it is not expected that all bridesmaids will wear the same dress, perhaps a more casual attitude towards the bridal party is warranted.

Whether they're male or female, friends or family, they all add something unique to your life.

It's out of the ordinary, but in an excellent way. Your guests will be amused by this unique take on the bridal party, and you'll get some great shots to remember the occasion by.

Not all future brides are interested in following customs associated with weddings, such as bridal showers or even the preparation process.

If you want to break with convention, it's possible that you won't need the support of a maid of honour.

Having a man of honour who is just as laid-back as you are throughout preparations can be a huge relief at times.

To be a Man of Honor is not to be different for the sake of being different.

Examining your circle of friends to determine who has had the greatest impact on your development and life choices requires you to take an honest inventory of your relationships.

Men's Fashion Is So Cool

On a brighter side, modern men's style is unreal.

Shopping for stylish clothes might be a welcome change of pace after months spent submerged in satin and tulle.

Adding a floral-printed tie or pocket square to a suit is a lot of fun.

There's something quite gentlemanly about a boutonnière, especially one that incorporates the bride's own flowers. It doesn't get more classic than searching for a new suit and bowtie.

Finding the ideal clothing, carefully selecting the details and setting the mood are all factors that appeal to our inner femininity.

Yet, it is possible to become weary of all the beauty at times. Therefore, a day surrounded by cufflinks, Italian leather, and a pungent scent may be just what the doctor ordered.

You'll have a great time matching the groomsmen's outfits on the big day because men's style is improving all the time.

Your Closest Friend May Be Your Brother or Male Best Friend

One possibility is that you'd like to have a special female companion, such as a sister, best friend, or cousin, there with you on this special day.

However, this is not the case for many people, and so it makes perfect sense to have a man act as your Man of honour.

You should invite your brother to be your best man if you share an unshakable tie with him.

You Could Have Both a Man of Honour and a Maid of Honour

And who says you have to make a decision at all?

In the same way that some brides choose to have both a maid of honour and matron of honour, you may want to consider designating more than one man of honour.

It's like having two wedding parties in one, right? That deserves a round of applause.

Imagine the Bachelorette Party He'd Throw.

Even if your Man of Honor isn't very opinionated about the bouquets you choose or the paper you choose for invitations, he still might have what it takes to throw a spectacular bachelor party or bachelorette weekend.

There Won't Be Any Dress Complaints.

It's hard enough to find a dress that flatters everyone in the bridal party and everyone in the wedding.

Having one less bridesmaid to please is a convenience that should not be overlooked. As a bride-to-be, you should try to alleviate as much wedding-related anxiety as possible.

There's No Reason Not To

Today is your lucky day. The people you choose to be in your wedding party should represent you and the people who have been there for you through thick and thin.

Who cares whether the man in your life is the one best suited to be at your side on your wedding day? In this day and age, it is a great privilege to be known as a man of honour.

Tips When You're Having a Man of Honour

Make Him Feel Comfortable

However close you are to your Man of Honor, he may feel uncomfortable with the non-traditional role.

To have a more enjoyable and relaxing day, you should ask him for advice.

Pay attention to his advice on everything from the bachelorette party to the processional, and do your best to keep him out of trouble.

You should also enquire as to what your groomsmen may contribute, such as a bridal shower game or a new way to style the bride.

This kind action will let him know how much he is appreciated and welcome to join in on the celebration.

Reconsider Traditional Maid-Of-Honour Duties

Traditional maid-of-honor responsibilities, like as organising the shower (which can be co-ed), keeping track of the vendors, and toasting the happy couple, are all tasks that a man of honour can and should take on.

Other activities, as everyone feels most at ease.

If he's good with tools, have him make things like tables and chairs for the party. Opinion him dress shopping if he's interested in fashion to get a guy's take on the feminine attire.

Be kind of the other bridesmaids while they get ready if you decide to invite him into the bridal suite before the ceremony.

Follow your gut instincts. However, "the rulebook is thrown out the door" when it comes to including a male in your bridal party.

Be Creative With Attire

In most cases, the bridesmen will wear the same formal attire as the groomsmen, with the addition of a tie or pocket square to coordinate with the bridesmaids' dresses.

Shorter pants with long, brightly coloured socks would be another option. Complete the ensemble with a boutonniere that goes with the flowers carried by the bridesmaids.

For brides with a more contemporary sense of style, this is a chance to make a bold statement with their bridal attire.

Dress both the men and women in your bridal party in tuxedos.

Please have the best man and bridesmaids wear tuxedos to the wedding. The women would wear similar-colored, femininely fitted tuxedos.

Plan Out Ceremony Details

Most of the wedding ceremony can be carried out without a man of honour, but you should still think about getting married.

Having an extra guy will throw off the symmetry of the processional, as bridesmaids and groomsmen usually walk down the aisle in pairs.

One possible approach is to have the groomsmen process down the aisle before the bridesmaids. It's also a nice touch to have the groomsmen wait at the altar for the start of the procession.

Things to Do Differently

Finding That Perfect Dress

You and your Maid of Honor undoubtedly have a sixth-sense about whether or not he wants to come with you to the bridal salon.

Is he the one you consult for fashion advice or home decorating tips?

That means he'll do great when trying for prom dresses. Is he completely unmoved by aesthetics?

Instead, you may plan a romantic date for the two of you.

Planning Meetings

Your maid of honour should go along with you to all of your wedding-related appointments, such as the florist's, the planner's, and the photographer's.

Perhaps you've always envisioned your Man of Honor in this role, or perhaps his refined tastes make it impossible to envisage a wedding without him.

However, if you're still unsure, a straightforward talk is your best bet. You're obviously close enough to one another that you can be honest with one another while yet being considerate of one another's sentiments.

Inquire as to whether he has any interest in assisting with the preparations. Also, if you're unsure, or if you think your mother has better taste than you do, say so.

If he's not keen on taking on this responsibility, convince him that he may still be of use to you in other ways that are just as important.

Express your appreciation once again for his help throughout the preparations.

Cake & Catering Tastings

It's not nice to generalise about men (or anybody else), but we think it's safe to assume that your guest of honour will be eager to participate in food and dessert samples.

Maybe he just doesn't like carbohydrates and this isn't the case. Don't forget to factor in your MOH's special abilities, though.

If he's a great cook and foodie, he'll feel right at home here. Send him on his way with a seating map and a smile if he can't tell the difference between microgreens and mac 'n cheese.

Bridal Showers

The wedding shower is one of the events where you will most likely want to make adjustments to accommodate the presence of the Man of Honor.

Perhaps the most feminine of events, a garden party or high tea, is what you had in mind for your bridal shower. Do you have a mental image of your Man of Honor in this setting? If so, that's fantastic! But then again, what do you do if that doesn't happen?

Your Man of Honor should be the first person you invite. If you presume he doesn't want to take part and then back out, he'll be left to relive the experience all over again on Instagram.

Even though it's not what you set out to do, deciding for him will just make things awkward.

Inviting someone over is always a good idea, but remember to be flexible with his acceptance of your invitation.

Even if he declares his undying affection for you, a bridal shower probably isn't his cup of tea.

If you're interested, you could throw a party geared towards male guests. However, it is always most important to act in ways that feel natural and correct to you.

Neither of us would ever propose that you give up what you want or keep quiet about what you really want just to make your Man of Honor more at ease.

Feel free to throw yourself a classic, girly bridal shower if that's something you've always wanted to do!

However, there are a plethora of stunning and original possibilities if you're set on throwing a party to which your Man of Honor is cordially invited.

You can throw a lodge party in winter with a Ralph Lauren feel by decorating with black watch plaid, cider in cups, and lots of evergreens.

Also, a dinner in white is a fun event to throw in the spring or summer. The point is that you can throw together a fun gathering for the guys without breaking out the tent and sleeping bags.

With your usual deftness, you can throw a party that is both stylish and elegant, and which the Man of Honor will enjoy thoroughly.

Bachelorette Getaways

Having a Man of Honor along for a bachelorette vacation can also change the dynamic of the trip.

Similar to the bridal shower, the Man of Honor should be invited even if you don't believe he wants to.

To that end, we think a bachelorette party with a Man of Honor would be a lot of laughs. It's a lovely thought to include him in your travel and activity planning, and the possibilities are practically unlimited.

You could take a weekend trip to a ski resort and spend it on the slopes; if you and the ladies prefer to use the spa, he can tackle the snowshoeing routes (or join you for facials!).

Let your Man of Honor bring his own kind of merriment to the trip, and we believe you should welcome him with open arms.

If he's funny or ironic, he'll appreciate being the only man and will quickly become one of the gang.

Allow him to say so if he doesn't want to spend the whole weekend mingling with the ladies. Just make sure to give him that choice.

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Getting Ready

That's because this could be another of those sensitive topics. Do you let him spend time in the bridal suite with you?

Or, you might have him become one of the groomsmen. The groom's family may not know him, and you may not want to put him in an uncomfortable position.

You should be considerate and kind to your Man of Honor during the wedding day's preparations since you want him to take part in as much of the day as possible (after all, that's why you went with a man of honour in the first place).

Your Man of Honor will probably take the reins and get ready without you, meeting up with you later on for portraits.

If that isn't the case, then it's time to broach the matter. Just make sure you ask him what he needs to feel at ease.

You should just think of various ways to make him feel like he fits in and make sure he doesn't have a different experience.

For instance, if he prefers to get ready separately from the bridesmaids and groomsmen, a brunch for the entire wedding party could be planned for the morning of the wedding.

Make sure he is included in all the pre-wedding festivities, from photos to group prayers. There are numerous opportunities to spend intimate time with your wedding party and to incorporate each member of the group in the celebration.

The Ceremony

To accommodate a Man of Honor in your ceremony, you may need to get creative with the order of events.

Because of this, coordinating the bridesmaids and groomsmen can be more of a challenge, and you probably shouldn't send your MOH down the aisle by herself.

We think it would be simpler to have everyone walk down the aisle simultaneously. Designing your professional in this way may add some time to the overall runtime; however, this only means that you can include another music that you particularly enjoy.

Bonus Points: 'Will You Be My Man of Honour?'

Finding a unique, one-of-a-kind present that seems designed just for a buddy is the best feeling in the world.

Sending him an invitation to be the Man of Honor is a terrific idea, in our opinion. For instance, you could send him a leather made flask or some sophisticated cufflinks.

Send a brief but sincere email that asks, "Will you be my man of honour?" With your best friend by your side, the stage will be set for a splendid planning process.

Check out our ultimate list of Wedding Planners in Melbourne to help you organise a stress-free wedding.