Photography: Ryann Lindsey Photography

4. Bridal showers

Of all the things you’ll want to do differently with a Man of Honor, bridal showers are likely at the top of the list. Maybe, for your bridal shower, you’ve planned the most feminine of gatherings: a garden party, or a high tea. Can you picture your Man of Honor in this context? If so, great! But if not… what do you do?

First and foremost, always invite your Man of Honor. The last thing you want is to assume that he doesn’t want to participate... only to leave him reliving the event on Instagram. We know it’s never your intention, but if you make the decision for him, it will only make things uncomfortable. Always graciously extend an invitation, and be understanding when it comes to his response. Maybe the two of you can have a little laugh about it all if he tells you that he loves you, but the bridal shower just isn’t exactly his scene.

If the idea appeals to you, then you could consider hosting a bit of a guy-friendly party. As always, it’s most important that you make decisions that feel organic and right for you. We would never suggest that you compromise or silence your own desires in order to make your Man of Honor feel more comfortable. If you’ve always longed for a traditional, feminine bridal shower, then by all means, give yourself that experience! But if you love the idea of hosting a party that your Man of Honor can freely attend, then understand that there are so many beautiful and creative options. For winter, you could plan a lodge gathering with a Ralph Lauren vibe—black watch plaid, mugs of cider, and lots of evergreen. And for spring or summer, you could host a dinner en blanc. The point is that, if you want to plan a guy-friendly event, there’s no need to break out the flannels and, you know, go camping. You can easily pull off a party that has your signature style and grace-- and feels totally Man of Honor-friendly at the same time.