When it comes to selecting your bridesmaids, you might decide that you’d really like your male friend to be a part of your bridal party.
However, if you’ve never had a male bridesmaid before, you might be wondering: What is a male bridesmaid called?
In this article we will cover some important information about male bridesmaids, including what male bridesmaids are called along with other useful information.
Keep reading to find out more.
What is a male bridesmaid called?
A male bridesmaid is called a bridesman and is the male equivalent of a bridesmaid. A bridesman is not to be confused with a Man of Honor, as this role is the equivalent of Maid of Honor.
As more and more people forgo tradition, Bridesmen have become more popular in recent years.
Bridesman duties include but are not limited to:
- Offering Emotional Support To The Bride
It goes without saying that the whole bridal party, including the bridesman is responsible for making sure that the bride is supported. A bridesman has been chosen for exactly the same reasons as a bridesmaid, so the role isn’t any different!
- Help With Various Wedding Tasks
If your bridesman has any specific skills that will help you out in the organization of the day, then give him a job! This could include packaging the wedding favors or if he’s artsy, something to do with the decorations for the day.
Not only will giving your bridesman and bridesmaids jobs alleviate the pressure from you on the day, but it will also make them feel needed and helpful! It’s a win-win.
- Attend The Bridal Shower And Bachelorette Party
Although these are typically gendered events, throw tradition out of the window! Make sure that you express that your bridesman is welcome at all of the events. Better yet, you could even get rid of the gendered traditions altogether and opt for a joint shower and joint bachelor-bachelorette outing.
What You Need To Know About Choosing A Male Bridesmaid
When selecting your bridesmaids and bridesman, there are a few things that you should be aware of:
Make Them Feel Comfortable And Included
If you’re only including one person of a different gender, such as a bridesman when the rest of your wedding party is all bridesmaids, you need to make them feel comfortable and included above all else.
You’ll want to ensure that you steer clear of gendered activities that could alienate your male bridesmaid. Your guests are much more likely to bond if they’re all excited and the pre-wedding activities and the day of the wedding will be far more fun if everyone is already well-acquainted and knows one another.
Bearing this in mind, if your bridesman doesn’t know the other bridesmaids, make sure that you organize a meeting beforehand!
This will ensure that the ice has already been broken, and will allow them to get to know each other beforehand.
Trust me, your big day will flow much more smoothly if everyone is already well acquainted!
Ensure Every Member Of The Bridal Party Is Treated The Same
When there’s one bridesman and several bridesmaids or vice versa, it can naturally feel a little overwhelming to be outnumbered. To reduce any anxieties that your bridesman might be feeling, always make sure that you are treating everyone the same.
While your bridesman may choose to opt out of your bachelorette or bridal shower, you still need to invite and encourage them to participate in all of your pre-wedding activities. This will ensure that they’re never feeling left unwanted or out of place, as it will reaffirm that they’re included in every event should they want to be! This way, they get the full experience of being a part of a wedding party.
Make Sure That You Opt For Gender-Neutral Gifts
When it comes to giving each member of your bridal party a gift, it’s alway going to be the fairest to give them the same gift. In this situation, the easiest way to give everyone the same thing is to opt for a gender-neutral gift that works for your bridesmaids and your bridesmaid.
When choosing the gift, make sure that you think about the best option that will commemorate the time that you’ve all spent together as a group. Every time they see the gift, they’ll think about you and the wedding party!
Ensure The Color Scheme Is Cohesive
If you’re planning to match your bridesmaids with the groomsmen, you will need to make sure that the shades, patterns and fabrics you choose will work well for the dresses and the suit that your bridesman wears.
If your bridesmaids are in pastel pink and the groomsmen are wearing a light gray suit, why not have your bridesman in a coordinating suit with a tie to match your bridesmaids’ dresses. This way the color scheme is cohesive and works across the board!
Make Sure You’re Prepared For Everyone’s Grooming Needs
It’s incredibly common for the bride to pay for her bridesmaids makeup, and for the groom to pay for pre-wedding grooming as well. As your bridal party will be coed, make sure that you are prepared for everyone’s different grooming needs.
You will need to make sure that you are organized and have space for everyone to get ready. If everyone’s comfortable and you have enough space, you could all get ready in the same place. If not, you will need to arrange the different times in which each member of the bridal party is able to be groomed.
This way, everyone will be feeling and looking their best on your special day!
In Summary
A male bridesmaid is called a bridesman. Always make sure that your bridesman feels included, and that you treat all members of your bridal party in the same way regardless of the activities being presented to them.
Last, but by no means least, have fun and enjoy your special day!