Among the seemingly endless decisions to be made by an excited Bride and Groom is who to select as part of the wedding, from bridesmaids to ushers. The difficult decision to select who, and how many, to offer the position of groomsmen – or indeed groomswomen – has remained the sole responsibility of the groom.
The groomsmen are an important part of ensuring everything goes to plan on your big day, so you need to make sure that the individuals you choose are trustworthy, reliable, respectful, have a fun personality, and, of course, are photogenic.
You don’t want to look back at your wedding photos in years to come and question your choices.
Most importantly, though there are no specific restrictions or guidelines steeped in the traditional view of this topic, it still remains such an important – and stressful – decision to make.
Ultimately, the best course of action is for you to stop, take a deep breath, and envision who you truly want to stand beside you as you embark on such an important new chapter in your life.
The Role
Groomsmen are a special part of every wedding party. They typically act as the groom’s right-hand men and traditionally consist of male family members and close friends, although it isn’t surprising to see women take up this position from time to time.
The key role of the groomsmen is to assist and support you in any way they can, ensuring that your day is as smooth and problem-free as possible. They are also involved in several events leading up to the wedding day, including the planning and execution of the bachelor party, and escorting wedding guests to their seats if no ushers are present.
Though the role can be a lot of fun, it’s important that the people you choose to be your groomsmen will take their role in your wedding seriously. Understandably, you’ll need as much support as possible from this group to ease your wedding jitters.
Average Number of Groomsmen
On average, the ideal number of groomsmen at a wedding lies anywhere between two and four, with larger weddings averaging between five and six. However, this is more of a general guideline rather than an official requirement.
If you plan to go above this number, it’s important to consider the number of guests that have RSVP’d, so that the smaller details of your wedding can be more effectively managed.
The number of groomsmen you choose to include also largely depends on the size of the wedding itself. It’s advisable to have one groomsman per every fifty guests, but that doesn’t always have to be the case. It’s your day, meaning it’s completely up to you!
Relationships
Your relationship with the potential groomsmen is another big factor you need to consider when planning your wedding. This will help you to see whether you want them by your side, or whether you actually need them with you at the altar.
So, you may want to reconsider asking your primary school best friend that you haven’t spoken to in ten years to take on this role at your wedding.
Instead, try focusing on the surrounding people who have always been there to support you – whether that involves a sibling, a cousin, or a lifelong best friend. Narrowing the list this way will already make your life much easier, and you will undoubtedly feel more comfortable with your decision.
You also need to make sure that you don’t let anyone force you into appointing them as part of the wedding party. Don’t have more groomsmen because you feel guilty – do it only if you truly want to. Your happiness is a top priority, especially when planning an event this grand.
Truthfully, many of your closest friends and family will be ecstatic just to be invited as part of your special day!
All About Balance
As a general rule of thumb, it’s best to have a balanced number of bridesmaids and groomsmen at your wedding. This is to ensure that there is no imbalance between you and your partner at the altar, and will help you to limit any extra stress on your big day. Again, this is a suggestion rather than a requirement.
Besides, those attending the wedding will be more interested in watching you marry the love of your life, rather than focusing on the number of bridesmaids and groomsmen in the wedding party.
Expense
With the average wedding cost increasing drastically each year, it’s important to try and limit expenses where possible. So, finance is another important factor you need to consider when deciding upon how many groomsmen to have at your wedding.
If you choose to have a higher number of groomsmen at your side, you’ll have to supply them all with groomsmen gifts – meaning your day will already be more expensive. Also, if the groomsmen have plus ones, it increases the risk of paying more than is truly necessary.
Finally, you must consider whether the groomsmen will be happy to pay for their own suit hire (if that’s your preference) or if you are generously footing the bill for matching outfits. Do you really need the whole football team as your groomsmen?
Final Word
As you can see, there are many things that need to be considered when deciding on how many groomsmen to have at your wedding. However, each couple is unique, meaning each wedding is an individual experience. So, what works for one wedding may not work for another – and you can do whatever you want!
Ultimately, there are no definitive rules when it comes to making the decision about how many groomsmen to include. Simply put: you can choose to incorporate as many of your loved ones as you want into this role.
Or, if you are really stuck, there’s nothing in the way of stopping you from not having any groomsmen at your wedding.
Remember that although you may feel pressured by those around you, it is your wedding day – and only your decision matters.
