Your buddy's getting married. He's asked you to be a groomsman and you accepted (of course). Not sure what that requires? Relax! Here's a wedding checklist designed specially to help you remember your groomsmen duties.

Groomsmen Duties Before The Wedding:

• Possibly help groom choose formal wear
• Attend tuxedo fittings and alterations as needed
• Attend couple's wedding shower if one is thrown
• Help plan, attend, and enjoy the bachelor party!

Groomsmen Duties During The Ceremony:

• (If you are an usher) Stand at the door ready to escort guests to their seats
• Escort bridesmaid to altar or stage during processional
• Stand with groom, best man and groomsmen at altar or stage throughout ceremony
• Escort bridesmaid during recessional

Groomsmen Duties During The Reception:

• Sit at head table (if assigned)
• May be announced at reception
• Take part in first dance (if wedding party is invited to participate)

Now you're ready to be the best groomsman at the wedding!

Ask The Celebration Advisor: Do our ushers need to wear tuxedos? What about the groom's father? Also, should the ushers have boutonnieres?  Sue

The Celebration Advisor: Traditionally ushers were considered the grooms attendants and required to dress in the same formality as the groom.  So if the groom wore a tuxedo, the groomsmen and usher also wore a tuxedo.  Contemporary wedding etiquette has relaxed this tradition for ushers.  It is now acceptable for ushers to Read the rest of What Is The Appropriate Attire For Wedding Ushers? »

Why do grooms have a best man and groomsmen? Although there are many myths and legends associated with this wedding tradition, the most popular originated in a more primitive time when men kidnapped their brides. The groomsmen, called bride-knights, helped their friend capture his bride. They stood guard at the ceremony to protect the groom from the bride’s angry family.

Another basis for this wedding tradition originated with the Romans and involved a bit of superstition. Roman Law required 10 witnesses at every wedding ceremony. During this period, people were afraid of Read the rest of Groomsmen – Wedding Tradition With Long History »