Don’t think you get let off lightly. The Groomsmen role is very important on the wedding day to ensure everything runs smoothly.
A wedding coordinator will meet and greet suppliers, communicate upcoming events and help with directing guests. However the Groomsmen are there to help coordinate the day elegantly. Whether you are the Best Man, MC or Ushers. This is what you need to do!
Pre ceremony
Give yourself a bit more time than normal to get ready. You need to allow time for people to ask you questions, do ad hoc jobs for the Groom and to be there to welcome guests as they arrive.
When guests arrive, they will not know where they are going and it’s great to have a familiar face welcoming them and showing them where to go.
You should also check you have everything you need, rings, speech, Grooms vows, anything else relating to the ceremony.
Ceremony
When it’s time for the ceremony, you should be on hand to help guests to fill the seats. Keep seats reserved for immediate family and also the bridal party, but ensure the chairs are filled up at the front, aisle and back. Check all spaces in case guests disappear to the toilets, outside for fresh air or in case they are getting a drink at the bar.
Subject to the Grooms requests, you may stand or be seated before the arrival of the bride. Ensure you have your phone on silent and that it is in your jacket pocket. Not your trouser pocket – it shows! Also check the Groom’s appearance one last time to ensure he is ready.
End of Ceremony
At the end of the ceremony, once the married couple have walked up the aisle, help to usher guests out of the ceremony space aisle by aisle from the front. Usher them for the confetti toss and hand out confetti if there are no flower girls to do so.
After the confetti toss and any photos, direct guests to the drinks reception and to the card/gift box.
Group photos
Help to speed photos along by gathering guests for the group photos as required by the couple.
Wedding Breakfast
When it is time for the Wedding Breakfast check in with the Wedding Planner or Coordinator to check the caterers are ready for guests to be seated before making any announcements to guests. They will likely prompt you when it is time to make the announcement.
If you are the MC, you will announce guests to be seated, whereas Ushers will help to ensure everyone heard the announcement and help people find their seats.
Once guests are all seated, the MC will announce the newly married couple into the room and ask guests to be upstanding.
Speeches
An MC might feel confident to stand up and introduce the speeches, but not compulsory. Depending if you are the Best Man, you may be required to speak, but you should feel engaged during the speeches, with some cheering encouragement and applauds where appropriate to ease the speakers.
After speeches
Your main duties are complete! You may be on hand to help with unusual requests but it’s really your time to relax and enjoy the rest of the evening.
Being a Groomsmen is an honour. It can require duties and responsibilities, however you have been enlisted as an important person in the Groom’s life. The support you can give the Groom on the Wedding day will help to relax the married couple and create a well run day. Guests will always need directing on what they need to do so your guidance throughout the day alongside the Wedding Planner and Coordinator will certainly be noticed and appreciated.
