One of the Boys

I remember quite some time ago, before I first headed overseas, having a conversation with my Mum and my brother, Chase, about whom we would have as our bridesmaids/groomsmen when we got married one day. We were throwing names around of some of the most important people in our lives, and then Chase said my name – he said he would like me to be a “groomswoman” if he ever got married. I remember being surprised but also honoured at the thought. And then what do you know, Chase proposed to his then-girlfriend, Leanna, some time later and sent me a message asking if I’d be his groomswoman. Of course I replied with a resounding yes!

Groomswomen are more popular than you’d probably think these days, although still not entirely common. So what is life like as a gal on the guys’ side?

I’ll start with the outfits. Because this sort of thing isn’t mainstream, you can’t just go in and get a suit fitted when the guys do – oh no, it is much less simple. It was initially decided that I would wear a women’s pantsuit in the same colour as the guys. After searching around America (where I was in the lead up to the big day), I was at a loss, so we turned to the internet and ordered a custom made suit online. Great! Except that when it arrived it didn’t look so great. And as is typical of me, I found this out just a matter of weeks before the big day. Alterations were tried but the result still wasn’t ideal. So then, after I got back to NZ for the wedding we considered a dress – but where, during summer, would we find a light grey dress in the same shade as the guys’ suits? Mum and I set aside an entire day, one week before the wedding, to search for one and we were not coming home until we were successful. It turns out a matching dress was in a town we hadn’t considered looking, in a shop we almost walked past. And all before lunchtime.

So we counted our lucky stars and waited for the big day to arrive. Now, I might have been on the guys’ side of the altar, but I’m still a gal and hair and makeup were still a necessity. So, while Chase and his groomsmen tucked into feast prepared by Dad, Mum and I headed off to be transformed (after a glass of bubbly of course). With that done, it was time to head home and really find out how the guys prepare for a wedding. I returned home to pizza and a vodka/red bull waiting for me, so in short – you don’t do a lot except eat, drink and partake in some classic “lad” banter. All that was left to do after that was get dressed, and believe it or not, it was I, the female, who was ready first!

Dad had organised to have some classic cars take us to the venue, so once they arrived we all downed a shot and headed off for the big event. Again, on the guys side there is not a lot to do except mingle with the guests as they arrive, and then when the time comes take your place up at the altar. However, as the little sister of the groom, I definitely shed a tear or two during the ceremony – perhaps not so typical of someone on the groom’s side.

So following the ceremony and the photos, we were all announced back in for the reception, where I had to escort one of the bridesmaids to the bridal table. Now you know you’re on the guys’ side when the groomsmen have stashed a chilly bin under the table filled with cans of Coke, and have hipflasks of rum and whiskey in their pockets, ready to pour our drinks as we settle in for dinner and the speeches and then enjoy the celebrations as they went on into the night.

So being a groomswoman was not only a privilege, but also a hell of a lot of fun. My favourite part though was seeing my big brother marrying the woman of his dreams. Both Chase and Leanna knew from when they first met that they wanted to marry each other, and they really are perfect together. There’s always a lot of love at a wedding, but the day does tend to go quickly. Just the other day I finally sat down and watched the first draft of their ceremony video, and reliving it made me realise the endless love these two have for each other, and how proud I am of my big brother for the man that he has become.

It was a truly magical day and I have a feeling it will remain one of my favourite memories. With that, congratulations to the new Mr. and Mrs. Aitken, and welcome to the family Leanna!

I’m going to finish this post with a quote that I think suits these two perfectly: “When you realise you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible.” – Nora Ephron.

That’s all for now,

Jordyn x

(Please note: Photos are courtesy of Madeleine Yern and Pam Fowlie).