So you’ve been asked to be a groomsman and you want to do the job right! We’re sure you’ll want your bestie to have the most incredible wedding day possible, so we’ve made a list of everything you’ll need to do on the day and in the lead up to the day.
With this list, you’ll ace your groomsmen duties!. It’s a real Honor to be asked to be a best man or groomsman for the day. In essence your friend - the groom - is asking you to help out on the day of the wedding
*Remember its not just about wearing the suit!
Groomsmen duties before the wedding day
Wedding attire:
This largely depends on what the bride and groom has in mind, but be prepared to buy or rent your outfit. We recommend getting this process started as early as possible, so you’ve got time to select the best suit and pay for it.
A stag do:
Planning a stag do is one of the most exciting tasks for a best man or groomsmen! It's an opportunity to create an unforgettable experience for the groom-to-be and bond with the rest of the party.
To start, have a chat with the groom and find out what kind of stag do he'd like. Does he want a night out on the town, a weekend away, or a more adventurous trip? If he's up for a surprise, you can take charge and plan the entire event yourself!
Once you have an idea of what the groom wants, it's time to get the rest of the groomsmen involved. Traditionally, the best man takes the lead in planning, but don't hesitate to delegate tasks and get everyone involved in the process.
One of the most important aspects of planning a stag do is organizing the finances. Make sure to give everyone plenty of notice and let them know how much they'll need to contribute. It's also a good idea to have one person in charge of booking accommodations and another in charge of planning activities for the weekend.
Keep in mind that the groom is getting married, so encourage him to put together a timeline for the wedding day. This way, you can plan the stag do around his schedule and make sure everyone is available to attend.
With careful planning and a little creativity, you can create a stag do that the groom and his friends will never forget!
Pre-wedding events:
There are a few pre-wedding events you should put down in your calendar. The engagement party, bachelor party and rehearsal. As a groomsman, you’ll be required to be at all of these events. Attending these events is one way you can show the happy couple that you support them and their marriage. You can miss the engagement party if you have to but don’t miss the stag do or the wedding rehearsal. Encourage your groom to put together a timeline for their wedding day so you know exactly what they have planned
Wedding gift:
You’d be forgiven if getting a wedding gift has totally slipped your mind! But remember that it’s customary for the wedding party to give the couple something on their wedding day. If you’re stuck for ideas, take a look at their wedding registry. Good idea might be to speak with the rest of the groomsmen and maids of honour to orgaise a meaningful nice gift between you all, maybe a surprise while they are away on honeymoon?
Think about your travel and accommodation:
Depending on where the wedding is taking place, you might need to book accommodation for the night before and the night of the wedding and very possibly the night after the wedding as there normally will be a party planned the day after the wedding.
Groomsmen duties on the wedding day
Get ready together:
When the wedding day arrives, all the groomsmen will gather together with the groom and get ready in plenty of time - at least three hours before the wedding. In fact it’s a lovely idea to all have breakfast together. Share a toast, take some photos and enjoy the morning together.
Keep the groom calm:
While you’re getting ready together and during the wedding, your main role is to keep the groom calm. Grooms can get quite nervous so having their besties surrounding them will ease their nerves!
A Great tip here is to advise the groom to breath slowly, hold his breath for three seconds and release his breath for three seconds. This has a great effort on slowing the emotions down and - lets face it - its an emotional day!
Make sure the groom is fed:
Before the wedding reception starts and once the food has come out, make sure the groom has had something to eat and some water to drink! (equally make sure the bride does too, sometimes maids of honour also get caught up in the emotion)
The day Flies by so quickly and there are so many things to be done, the wedding couple often doesn’t have a chance to eat. Another tip make sure that the bride and groom get to spent 30 minutes together on their own halfway during the day so that they can catch their breath and chill.
Help guests find their seats:
If there are no ushers, it’ll be your job to help guests find seats. The more traditional seating arrangements are slowly becoming less popular, so your role will be a little more relaxed. Switch tradition here, Put the brides parents and family behind the groom and the grooms family behind the bride, this way each family will get to see their son or daughter exchange vows.
Stand by the groom:
You’re his wing man so make sure you beside him at all times and keep checking to see if there is anything he needs.
Mingle with guests:
Get to know the guests, introduce yourself so that you are the go to person for the day. You’ll likely be one of the people introducing guests to one another.
Get on the dance floor:
Make sure you hit the dance floor early with the bridesmaids and have a plan in place if the floor becomes empty. Make sure you join in and play your part here. If you have fun, others will follow suit.
Send off the couple:
These days most couples don’t go on their Honeymoon for a week or even a couple of months but it’s a nice idea if you do get to see them and give them a great send off. Your duty is complete once you have all suppliers paid for and presents collect and put in a safe and secure place for the bride and groom. If suits are being hired please make sure all groomsmen return them to the shop and make sure you return the grooms and your own.
As a best man or groomsman, your role is critical in ensuring the success of the wedding day. The more you contribute to the planning and preparation, the smoother everything will run on the big day. So roll up your sleeves, lend a hand, and let's make this wedding day an unforgettable one for all!