The role of a groomsman sounds fairly simple: Pick up your tuxedo, suit or Hawaiian shirt, smile for the camera and spin a few bridesmaids across the dance floor. But there is a little more involved when it comes to being part of the groom’s inner circle.
As the groom’s closest pals, childhood friends or siblings, these honour attendants are there to support the guy through any pre-wedding parties, activities, errands and bouts of anxiety. These wingmen are also expected on the day to help guests, sober and otherwise, to ensure the happy couple have a day to remember.
Before the wedding
What goes on tour
While the bride and her bridesmaids are busy in a sea of wedding details, the groomsmen have one thing on their minds: the Stag-do. Luckily, most grooms do not require much prenuptial preparation, and the men can focus on the fun side.
Under the direction of the best man, the most fun role for groomsmen is planning an unforgettable night out or weekend away with the groom. Groomsmen can help spread the word to the groom’s list of friends to include, and organize any reservations, travel plans and payments. This is a good time to let loose and have fun, as the only job here is to ensure the groom has a great time and stays out of trouble.
Just remember the groom has to walk down the aisle and be in pictures that will be looked on for years to come. Stag Do pranks may sound fun, but black eyes, missing teeth or drastic haircuts will ensure your name will be mud.
Suits your sir
Depending on the wedding attire, the groomsmen may need to get measured and fitted for formalwear prior to the wedding. If this is the case, they will have received from the groom (or bride) the specific details regarding their attire. National chains such as Moss Bros Hire can outfit groomsmen from around the country so that they are all perfectly matched when they convene at the wedding.
The groomsmen should attend the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner and get to know the other members of the wedding party and the bride’s and groom’s families. The more casual atmosphere of a rehearsal dinner is often an appropriate place to give toasts and short speeches, so this is the time when the bridal party may choose to express their well wishes to the couple.
The groomsmen may decide to chip in and buy a special gift for the couple or give a speech, which is completely optional, but the rehearsal dinner is often the appropriate time to present such an item. Most brides would prefer a safe and quiet stag-do over a present.
During the wedding
On the wedding day, the groom and his groomsmen typically get ready together. Any necessary group grooming activities, such as haircuts or professional shaves, should be planned for in advance. Most importantly, the groomsmen are there to support the groom in the chaotic hours before the wedding. A little comic relief is always welcome, as long as nothing gets out of hand.
And they should be responsible: Groomsmen tend to begin the celebration even before the ceremony kicks off, but drinking should be kept to a minimum so everyone is on time and involved in the ceremony and other events to follow. It is also a good idea for the guys to periodically check in with the bridesmaids to see that everything on the bride’s side is flowing smoothly too.
Prior to the processional, the groomsmen may be asked to serve as ushers, which could involve handing out programs, greeting guests and directing them to their seats, and seating honoured guests. Just before the ceremony begins, the groomsmen will take their places upfront with the groom, usually either by accompanying the bridesmaids down the aisle or entering by themselves.
Signed, sealed, and married
After the wedding, the groomsmen should stay together and make themselves available for any formal wedding photo’s with the rest of the bridal party. You may be required to ensure guests get to new venue or
Once the reception kicks off, the groomsmen should see to it that the party remains on a high note. Often masters of the dance floor, the groomsmen should take the bridesmaids and other female guests for a spin. Perhaps best to save the heavy drinking for the other guests, just in case anyone gets worse for wear and needs help getting a taxi. And getting it on with a bridesmaid in acceptable, but let’s not upstage the bride and get carried away publicly.
At the end of the night, the groomsmen should assist with the bride’s and groom’s departure, whether it’s decorating the getaway car or helping carry out gifts and other important items. If a day-after brunch is to be held, the groomsmen should attend to recap the wedding and see the bride and groom off on their honeymoon.
Once the Bride and Groom are gone, then you can party until the early hours as your job as Groomsman is done for the night.
