Bridal Questions | Brides-men? | Innovative Floral Ideas

Gene Higa

 I have had a lot of Brides recently want to have their male friends or close family members stand up for them during their ceremony, but not as traditional “groomsmen” rather, as “bridesmen”. After all, if your best friend in the world is a guy, why shouldn’t he be part of your bridal party, standing right next to you and supporting you on your wedding day? Gone are the days of the strict “wedding rules” we have come to know over time: Bride’s side vs. Groom’s side seating for guests, specific ‘timeline’ rules (you have to have 2 toasts, then serve the salad. The cake must be cut after dinner, etc.) Why? Why not cut the cake during the cocktail hour and shake things up a bit? But wait, who says you have to have a traditional wedding cake? What about a ‘gourmet’ ice cream truck to pull up during your reception? You get the picture. The rules are changing. Actually, the ‘rules’ are getting thrown out the window, and it’s a very exciting thing to see. Your wedding should be about the two of you, and your family and friends—a celebration of what is unique and special about you and your relationship, and joining those together. So why on earth should we have to follow some arcane rule that a bride can only have fellow women stand up for her on her wedding day? Well, she doesn’t. 

The trend is catching on. But this always raises the question, “How do I distinguish my ‘Bridesmen’ from the other Groomsmen, or other men in the wedding party?” 

There are lots of ways to acheive any goal, but one tradition-bending bride had her two brothers stand up for her, and insisted that they, too, hold bouquets. She wanted them to play the role of a bridesmaid, but to still be set apart from her female attendants. She didn’t want to have them hold bouquets that matched her female attendants, and she didn’t want them to feel uncomfortable in any way, but yes, she did want them to hold flowers.

Why not!? I love a challenge, and I was very excited to create some ‘masculine’ Bridesmen bouquets, which were uniquely different, but still worked with the entire design scheme of the wedding. When we delivered their ‘manly’ bouquets, they were impressed. One said to the other, ‘Wow, when (the Bride) told us we were going to carry flowers, I was worried—but these are actually pretty cool!”

Gene Higa

I smiled to myself: Mission accomplished! And, tradition overturned. A very good day. 

To see more from this inspired purple wedding, please follow the link to a very special video blow:

http://www.projectwedding.com/real_wedding/show_media/nicole-mark-winters-ca/1