Groomsmen Responsibilities

So you've been asked to participate as a groomsman in a wedding. A wedding is a celebration Dancing, drinks, food, everyone in a great mood . . . should be fun, right? Weddings are fun, yet the groomsman does have a few responsibilities.

You want to support the groom and make preparations for his wedding run smoothly. The groom may have certain duties in mind for you.

Attend the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner so you'll know what you are doing in the wedding and where you should be at all times during the ceremony. Groomsmen attend all pre-wedding events such as engagement parties, co-ed showers, and planning meetings.

You'll need to know how the bride and groom want you to dress and where the groom wants you to get your tuxedo. The groomsmen visit the tuxedo shop with the groom and assist in the decisions. The groomsmen help arrange appointments for measurements and alterations. The groomsmen make sure the groom and best man have tried on the tuxedos well in advance of the wedding date. One of the groomsman will be responsible for picking up all the formal wear before the wedding and returning it to the store after the ceremony.

Groomsmen are in charge of decorating the couple's getaway car. Do this before the wedding ceremony in a spot out of site from any guests.

Groomsmen pack a bag for last minute grooming for all the men in the wedding party. This could include hair gel, hair brush, spot remover, shoe polish, cologne, deodorant, and other items as needed.

Groomsmen often serve as ushers at the wedding. If you have not ushered before, here are a few tips:

* Be aware of which side of the aisle your guest will sit. Ask guests if they are with the bride or the groom. In the Christian tradition, the bride's guests usually sit on the left side of the church (facing the altar) and the guests of the groom sit on the right. In the Jewish tradition, the bride's guests usually sit on the right and the groom's guests on the left.

* Do not step on anyone's toes or trip on the ladies' long dresses.

* Be prepared for individuals with any special needs such as walkers or wheelchairs. Escort them sensitively.

* Keep the front row or two open for the families of the bride and groom.

* Position the aisle runner, after guests have been seated.

* When escorting women down the aisle, offer one arm where the woman can hold the forearm. Offer the arm toward the side on which the person will be sitting.

Groomsmen also help arrange the groom's bachelor party with the direction of the best man.

Groomsmen should assist the best man. He should have a back up or understudy. One groomsman should volunteer for this assignment and be aware of all of the best man's duties.

Help the groom relax and get dressed on the wedding day. If he's nervous, keep him loose. Tell him a joke or a reflection of an event you shared.

Remember, weddings should be fun. Here's a fun part of the groomsmen's responsibilities: The groomsmen are in charge of entertaining the bridesmaids at the reception. Be prepared to dance with your bridesmaid partner and then with all the other bridesmaids, and other female guests.

Assist any guests who need any kind of help such as with directions to the reception location.

The groomsmen should have a plan for hauling the gifts from the reception. They should know where the gifts are to be delivered. The men should load, transport, and deliver the gifts. If the wedding couple needs any other items transported, the groomsmen take care of that as well.

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