Picture this:

Your moment has arrived; the man of your dreams has just proposed; you’re overcome with glee and in your mind you’re already picking out your bridal party. Of course your best friend is a forerunner for maid of honor;however, it’s never been more glaringly obvious to you now that your “BFF” isn’t a female. Male bridesmaids – are they acceptable? 

In a world where gender roles are consistently changing, the issue of where your male friends fit into your wedding party should no longer be a pressing one. As a matter of fact, we would consider it trés chic to have a “male of honor” instead of a maid of honor. You’re already flooded with details like seating arrangements and which one of your bridesmaids hates having her arms out, so here are a few tips on how to tastefully include your best male friend in your wedding day without totally stressing you out. After all, it’s your day and it should be as stress-free as possible!

• Did we mention? It’s your day!  It’s about what you want and who you want to be a part of your special day. Things shouldn’t come to a screeching halt just because your “BFF” happens to be male or because you want your older brother you’ve always admired to stand next to you when you take one of the most memorable steps in your life.

•  Stick to gender-neutral titles. Instead of “male bridesmaids” try “attendees” or “persons in waiting”. However, if your friend and your groom are comfortable with the title “man of honor” then by all means – go for it!

• Include your male friend in bridesmaids activities .if your guy pal won’t squirm when lingerie gifts are passed around and cosmos are served up in hot pink martini glasses – then more power to him!  You should mention to him certain obligations are expected of him during wedding time but you don’t mind if he bails out of a few of the more “girlie” outings/events.

•  Never fear the awkward dance of the bridal party down the aisle! Your “male of honor” doesn’t have to walk down the aisle with another male from the groom’s party; he can escort another female attendee down the aisle if the numbers are uneven. Perhaps he can escort the bride’s mother down the aisle.  If all else fails, he can simply have the spotlight and walk alone.

•  Forget the sarcastic remarks being made about your buff “bestie” in a cocktail gown. Your male  friend can wear a suit and still be photographed with the bridal party without spoiling the color scheme.  His tie or shirt can match the colors of the bridesmaids dress or he can wear a boutonnière with the same arrangement as the bouquets of the other bridesmaids to keep the color palette flowing.

•  Gifts for the modernized bridal party should be simple enough, instead of that darling Tiffany bracelet with the cute butterfly charm, opt for a bottle of his favorite brandy or a pair of sterling cuff-links (if he’s not the drinking type). Either way you know your friend the best, picking a gift for him should be the more relaxing side of choosing a male attendant.

•  If all else fails and you want to make it very easy on yourself and your male friend, simply ask your groom if he can join the other grooms men standing on his side and participating in grooms men activities. That way your male friend can still be involved in every aspect of your special day without all the rearranging or raised eyebrows.