Two Bridesmaids, One Bridesman
Breaking tradition bridesmaid Anda will be sharing the aisle with a bridesman.
by Anda Damian
What is a bride to do when one of her dearest friends is her 23-year-old male cousin? Ask him to be a bridesman, that’s what! Yes, you read correct Knotties I did write bridesman. My best friend Anna (the lovely bride) will have her cousin John walk down the aisle, and stand right next to Anna’s sister and I on her side of the church. John will also be wearing something that signifies he is in her bridal party and not just another buck. So far we haven’t decided what that special something will be, but I was thinking perhaps his tie or a flower the same colour as our dresses. Do you have any other suggestions?
This may seem as an unconventional, non-traditional approach but it actually isn’t a new thing (there’s even a movie about bridesmen starring Patrick Dempsey circa 2008!). The more research I do, the more bridesmen examples I find. However, I’ll have to say that out of all the weddings I have been to, or heard about, this will probably be the first to have a bridesman.
Even though some people might think it’s too much of a step away from a traditional wedding, I actually think it’s a very lovely gesture. It’s heart warming to know that she loves him so much to break away from the stereotype of a typical bridal party and make a statement about how close they actually are. He could have easily been another buck, but it is so much more special and meaningful this way, don’t you think?
John will most probably be walking into the reception with the best man and myself, while some funky song plays in the background. Now the question might cross your mind, who will John dance with once the bridal party are called to the floor? Don’t worry, Anna has that covered with another non-traditional approach. Each member of the bridal party will ask their real partners to dance – I would ask my boyfriend Dean, who isn’t in the bridal party, to join me in a slow dance. I think this idea is great because I’m a sucker for all things romantic and wedding-y. Considering this is my first time as a bridesmaid, I’d much rather be dancing with my boyfriend than someone else and feel awkward. On the flip side though, I don’t think Dean is too keen on having lots of people he doesn’t know watching him dance. Everyone in the bridal party, besides John, has a partner to dance with so when it comes time to get up he’s already said “I’ll need to find a hot date or just walk up to the prettiest girl and ask her to dance!”. Smooth.
So what do the Knotties think about all this, is it too left field? Has anyone ever had, or planning on having a bridesman? Or does anyone have any ideas about how I can get Dean to warm up to the idea of dancing with the bridal party?
Bridesmaid Anda and bridesman John
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Comments (6)
Marta, QLD
i had a bridesman in my party – i had two maids and one man. at the time, people thought it was a bit strange, but it didn’t seem strange to me at all. in fact – i was more surprised by all the hoopla it generated than anyone else – i didn’t realise it would be such an issue. he was dressed in a suit, but as my girls were in non-matching dresses, it really didn’t matter that much. they simply swapped sashes for their dresses (one was in a long brown dress with a cream sash, the other a short cream dress with a brown sash – looked great!). james just wore a brown ribbon with his boutonniere. as for the dancing – james and i had been in the army together – he just sucked it up and danced with one of the boys! made for a great photo!!
anda
Hahaha i love that Marta – it would be awesome to see that photo hehe
I think it’s a lovely idea all round and people shouldn’t be scared to be a little adventurous with breaking some traditions. It makes the day more tailored to you and more special
xx
Anda
bradandmel
I am getting married in September and have two bridesmaids and my brother who was thrilled when i asked him to be a bridesman. I have had a few people comment, and another who asked if he was gay! I was a little shocked like Marta at peoples responses. I love the idea as we are close and i have the opportunity to share my special day with him. My newphews and niece are ring bearers and he will walk behind them down the aisle on the day, which will help keep them on track, when it comes to dancing, his wife will dance with him. He will wear the same style suit as the groomsman and perhaps just a different colour tie and vest to set him apart…
anda
I can’t believe it would even cross peoples minds that he were gay just for being a Bridesman!! It is such a special thing to have them in the bridal party, it warms my heart so much just thinking about it. I would hate for people to make it into such an issue! Don’t worry about what others say ladies, its nicer to have people that are so close to you in your bridal party rather than scramble to find girls who you probably aren’t close to and don’t want up there anyway! Besides, i think men are easier to handle in a bridal party
bradandmel – I like the idea of him walking down behind the little ones to keep them in line hehe Very sweet.
xx Anda
RachnRyan
I’m having my best friend Shane as my bridesman too. I don’t see why I should exclude my best friend in the whole world from my wedding party just because he has a pee-pee instead of a hoo-hoo! Traditions are lovely to honour, but they aren’t laws. My groom’s bestman will be walking down the isle with my bridesman just as my two bridesmaids will be paired with the groomsmen. And as for the dancing, well I don’t want to dictate who my guests or wedding party have to dance with or make any of them feel uncomfortable. I think it would be just as uncomfortable for a bridesmaid to have to dance with a groomsman she doesn’t want to dance with so dance partners are optional!
natalie.osborn17
My best friend Andrew is going to be my ‘bridesmate’ but we have solved the issue of who he will dance with as my fiance Ryan is having his best friend Sammi as his ‘grooms girl.’