No Maid-of-Honor?

[kiminator28]

So I'm one of those girls who doesn't have a ton of girl friends. I'd like my fiance to be able to have a best man (and I know that he wants one) however I don't want to just pick a random girl to be my maid of honor. Do I HAVE to have a maid of honor? Can he just have a best man and then nothing on my side of it? Or do I have to find someone?

[WebLady]

You don't have to have anyone stand up with you if you don't want. You are right, there is no need to pick a random friend if you are not really close to them just to have a MOH.

Will your Mom be there; are you close to her? If so, she could be your MOH :)

But no, you don't have to have one, even if your FH has a BM ... people may ask about it, but I wouldn't let that worry you.

[The Proper Wedding]

I agree. You should only have people stand up for the two of you who YOU want to be there! If you have bridesmaids up there, but aren't close enough to anyone to give them the title of MOH, then don't! You can have JUST bridesmaids if you want. Or you don't have to have anyone stand up for you at all if you don't want!! That's all up to the two of you and what you want!! I say it's fine if he has a BM and you don't have a MOH. If you and your FH are ok with it, then that's all that matters!! :yesnod:

[jennybaby]

We have the reverse problem. I have a MOH and he doesn't have a BM.

There are options, but we still haven't decided!

1) Everyone is just bridesmaids and groomsmen- no MOH/BM titles.
2) You have bridesmaids and he has a BM and groomsmen.
3) You each have one person each stand up as your witness (the one you are closest to or feel best understands your relationship). No titles at all.
4) A 'Man of Honor'

I also like the Mom idea! That's what I would do if I didn't have a MOH, but then again I am super close to my Mom. What about a younger cousin, niece? Anything. The MOH doesn't have to be totally traditional.

It's a tough choice if this means something to you. I was fine with the first option, but FH doesn't want to take my best friend's title away. I don't really like the second option personally. The third option is okay, but I really want my other friend and sister up there with me. As for him having a Best Woman? No one he's close enough to. :(

Good luck!

[sandy03]

From a personal standpoint, no you don't have to have a MOH or anyone to stand up with you.

From a practical standpoint, you might want to think about it if you're planning to carry a bouquet - the chances are pretty you good that you'll want to hand them off at some point during the ceremony, particularly for rings, unity candle/sand ceremony, or if you are both asked to join hands during the vows. This is something good to check with your officiant if you aren't writing the ceremony yourself and just something to think about. If you're set on holding on to them for the ceremony, you definitely want to make sure you have something you can practice with if you're going to have to swap it between hands, etc.

Does your FH have any sisters or do you have any close female relatives like cousins you may want to stand up with you? And if you have a close guy friend, there's also nothing that says he can't stand up with you, either!

[gwenshack]

I think you should do whatever you feel comfortable doing. Are you close to a male? I had a guy stand up for me. If you're comfortable up there alone, go for it. Otherwise, family is a great stand in as well. :goodluck: