Photo: Bella Bridesmaids Philadelphia | Lisa Blanche

Asking your closest friends and loved ones to be in your wedding party is a moment you’ll never forget. Yet, many brides and grooms don’t always have their most important people standing by their side on the big day.

And that’s sometimes because of gender.

The good news is that the gender-based wedding party is completely unnecessary! If you’re a bride with a male best friend or brother you want by your side during your wedding ceremony, you might want to make him the man of honor. 

This post includes everything you need to know about having or being a wedding man of honor! We’ll discuss how to ask him to be in your wedding to the roles and responsibilities you may (or may not) want him to have.

The Difference Between a Groomsman, Best Man, & Man of Honor

Not sure how a man of honor is different from the best man or the groomsmen? 

Groomsmen are the equivalent of bridesmaids. The best man is the groom’s “maid of honor.” The man of honor is when the bride chooses to have a guy as her “top ‘maid” rather than a girl.

Some brides also choose to have a man of honor and a maid of honor, just like they might select a maid of honor and a matron of honor. Grooms may do this, too, and select a “best woman” instead of a best man. 

A bride with a close guy friend who doesn't want the role of “man of honor” can also opt to make him a bridesman (a male bridesmaid). And grooms can have a groomswoman or two!

Your wedding party should include all of your close friends and most important people. Mixing genders on each side may be nontraditional, but who cares? 

It’s your day and your call!

Thinking about having a maid of honor AND a man of honor? Read our guide to learn how to pull it off & what they should do!

How To Ask Someone To Be Your Man of Honor

Photo: Bella Bridesmaids Oakbrook | Iwonka Photography

Depending on your relationship and his personality, you can “propose” to your man of honor in any way that feels appropriate: 

If you’re giving your bridesmaids proposal boxes, give him a proposal gift, too — customized to suit his style and personality.

Remember that some guys might not feel comfortable saying “yes” to the man of honor role, and that’s totally okay! 

Guys, if you’re asked to be a bride’s man of honor and you’re not 100% in, politely decline the offer. She’ll understand if you don’t feel comfortable in that unique position. You can play plenty of other important roles on her wedding day.

What Are the Man of Honor’s Responsibilities?

Man of honor duties are the same as maid of honor duties. He should plan and attend the bachelorette party, assuming he feels comfortable doing so. He’ll also co-plan the bridal shower with the bridesmaids.

The man of honor will also:

It’s okay if there are any pre-wedding or wedding day details that the man of honor doesn’t feel comfortable or capable of doing. Just divvy up the duties and ask certain bridesmaids to handle certain tasks.  

What Should a Man of Honor Wear?

Photo: Bella Bridesmaids | Megan Kay

There are so many options for what a man of honor can wear! 

He can match the groomsmen exactly. He could match the groomsmen but wear different accessories, like a tie that coordinates with the bridesmaid dresses or a boutonniere that matches the bridesmaids’ bouquets. He may match the groomsmen but wear a shirt the same color as the bridesmaid dresses.

Or, he can wear a completely different look from all the other guys in the wedding party.

For example, say your groomsmen are wearing dark gray suits, and your bridesmaids are wearing beige dresses. Consider dressing your MOH in a tan suit so that he matches the girls rather than the other guys. 

Finding great men’s suits in shades like light gray, blue, green, and burgundy is easy. If your girls are wearing any of those color palettes, it’ll look really cohesive to have your man of honor in a similar hue.

Where Should a Man of Honor Get Dressed on the Day Of?

On the day of the wedding, the man of honor should get dressed wherever he feels most comfortable. Some guys may choose the bridal suite with the girls (as long as the bridesmaids are okay with that). Other guys might prefer getting dressed in the groomsmen’s suite.  

The key is to make sure that everyone feels comfortable and that you give your man of honor options. If he doesn’t want to sit through hours of hair and makeup in the bridal suite, he can hang out with the groomsmen for a bit!  

Man of Honor Looks That Might Be Perfect for Your Wedding!

Ready for some man of honor outfit inspiration? 

Here are some great outfit options and accessories to help coordinate with (or differentiate him from) your wedding party:

Light Blue Suit Jacket and Pants 

This light blue suit jacket and pants set is oh-so-stylish! He’ll be comfortable, confident, and dressed to impress in a modern shade of steely blue-gray. This combo coordinates beautifully with a variety of blue and gray bridesmaid dresses.

Tan Suit Jacket and Pants 

If your girls are wearing neutral shades of beige or tan, he’ll look amazing in this tan suit jacket and pants set. These pants also look great with a crisp white button-down shirt and a cool pair of suspenders for a casual wedding.

Classic Black Suit Vest 

Distinguish the man of honor’s look from the groomsmen by layering on a classic black suit vest. This look is timeless under a jacket or on its own over a button-down shirt.

Dinosaur Dig Cufflinks 

Complete his look with some eye-catching man of honor accessories! Our Dinosaur Dig cufflinks make a fun statement, and he can wear them over and over again, long after the wedding day comes to an end.

Floral Tie 

Even if your man of honor wears the same suit as the groomsmen, he can stand out by wearing a different tie. The Lovers Garden tie is a perfect choice if your bridesmaids wear shades of pink or you’re hosting an outdoor garden party.

Solid Bowtie

It’s not uncommon for the groomsmen’s ties and accessories to match the bridesmaid dresses. Give your man of honor a different look by accessorizing with a textured, solid bowtie!

Shop our entire collection of groomsmen accessories! 

We love the idea of having a man of honor. Whether you’re super close with your brother or have a male best friend, giving this important role to a friend or loved one is the best way to show him what an important role he plays in your life.

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