One more man of honor

Some are "shocked" at first by the bridal party switcheroo

In the movie "When Harry Met Sally," Billy Crystal's title character claims, "Men and women can't be friends because the sex part always gets in the way."

But that theory is being dispelled as more brides opt to enlist their best male friends as their bridal men of honor.

Natalie Ho made the leap when she called on her friend Judah Oscaner for her wedding to Manu Talamoa yesterday at Portlock.

"It just seemed natural because we're best friends," she said. "(He's) known me through every major relationship, and we spend so much time together people think we are together."

Even her groom had to wonder. In the film "Made of Honor," opening tomorrow, Patrick Dempsey plays a man who serves as maid of honor for the woman he loves, with the hope of somehow winning her heart.

Talamoa asked of Oscaner, "I wonder if he really likes you," but Ho said, "We've always had a brother-sister relationship. We fight like brothers and sisters."

She's known Oscaner for 10 years, having met while training in "capoeira." They've been dance partners for two years and are co-directors of the salsa troupe Aloha Rumberos.

"My family was pretty shocked, but they know how close we are. My fiance's family was a little more shocked, but they accepted it."

As of Tuesday she was still undecided as to what her man of honor should wear, but said, "I might have him wear white like his capoeira gear because that's what he likes to wear. He's not a dress-up kind of guy."

Her nonchalance reflects the spontaneous nature of her nontraditional wedding because in spite of general advice to get to know a person before committing, Ho and Talamoa have known each other only two months.

"It was love at first sight and just one of those crazy things I can't explain," said Ho.

The couple didn't want to wait months to host a more formal celebration, although they do plan to have a larger wedding party next year.

Meanwhile, the new relationship has put a strain on her older friendship, but not because of jealousy.

"It makes it hard for me to train, and it puts a strain on our dance partnership," Ho said. "Judah has a lot of girlfriends, but I keep thinking if I find one girl, that would be good. I would love to see him happy."