4 Responsibilities For the Groomsmen

By Andrea McClure

It just might not be possible to pull off a good wedding with out the bridesmaids and their counter part, the groomsmen. After all they do for you to help pull of a perfect wedding; you will understand why they get groomsmen gifts. The groomsman gifts are the least you can do to thank them for all their help and sacrifice. Just think how much you?d have to pay some one to put up with you as you are stressing out about the wedding and to be a ?Johnny-on-the-spot? for you on the big day!

The groomsmen of today have it pretty easy. Well, easy compared to their medieval counterparts. Back in the days of yore, they would travel with the groom great distances, by standards of the day, and were expected to do battle with the highwaymen and roving hordes of bandits. Meanwhile, the second in command, the best man, would guard the ring with his life. They were very much a protection detail to get the groom to the wedding alive. While there is no need for that now, it would still be bad form to allow the groom to get mugged on the way to the alter! Nowadays things are much safer for the groomsmen but their responsibilities are just as important.

They are now the male contingent to the wedding party. They are expected to attend the engagement party, the rehearsal dinner and the ceremony. Then of course the men?s wedding shower, the bachelor party. During all this, they are expected to give gift at the same places as the rest of the guest. They are also expected to pay for their tuxedo and, if they have to travel, the cost of their accommodations. With the bachelor party they are expected to pay for themselves and a share of the grooms cost. While a bit of debauchery is expected, they are also not to get the groom into trouble with the future Mrs. nor let him do that to him self. At the wedding itself they often serve as ushers but then march with the bridesmaids to the alter. During the reception they dance with the bridesmaids at the appointed songs. Later, as the bridesmaids are doing hostess duties, the groomsmen are the muscle. Not like beating people up and such, but helping move the gifts and other thing that would look odd to see a bridesmaids do (move a table or chair).

With all they do it is customary to give the grooms men a gift. This is usually done before the bachelor party or right before the wedding. Right before the wedding tends to be a very good time because it is right before they are forced to stand through the taking of the wedding photos and when they are performing their most important task, moral support. They should have been doing that all along but today it is most important.

There is no etiquette on how much to spend or rather they should all be the same or individual, it is up to the groom. Take some time to think about it and put the same effort into your choice as they have been taking in your wedding. Maybe get them all tickets to a ball game next year or personalized item for each that reflect the groomsman. The choice is yours. - 30299

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