9 Tips for Your Groomsmen
Photo by Stephanie Paula Photography
I know how stressful wedding days are for most brides so I always try to give you these tips beforehand, so you're not stressed about them on wedding day. If you hire me as your planner or coordinator, don't worry, I tell the guys this during rehearsal and on wedding day. Brides, you may even want to send this to your fiancé so he can make sure his boys know. Here are 9 tips for your groomsmen to make your wedding day even better:
1. Left Over Right. So many times, groomsmen don't know what to do with their hands when they get up to the altar and are watching their best friend get married. I will always say to put your hands left over right and grab your wrist. It makes everyone look uniform and good for the pictures. Most people are right-handed and wear their watch on their left wrist. This will highlight your watch and make the pictures look even better.
2. Take Everything Out of Your Pockets. This is another big one. It makes the photographers job so much easier. Take everything out of your pockets and refrain from putting anything in your jacket pockets or your back pockets. Things to make sure that aren’t in your pockets are: phone, gum, keys, wallets, lighters, etc. The only things you can have are tissues or pocket squares. You can leave everything in the groom’s suite and come back after the ceremony to pick it up.
3. Always Face the Bride. Wherever the bride is, you are facing. If she is walking down the aisle, your whole body should be faced towards her and the guests. If she is up at the altar, turn your body in toward her. Yes, you are there to look good and smile pretty for the pictures but at the end of the day, you are there to witness your friend and the love of his life get married so we want you to see that actually happen.
4. Be on Time. Groomsmen, show up on time or even earlier. There is no need to make the bride stress even more by you being late. The reason you are supposed to get to the venue at a specific time is because there is a timeline to stick to and if you are late, you throw everything else behind. Brides, just go ahead and tell the boys to get there earlier than they need to be. Typically, groom/ groomsmen pictures don’t start until 1-2pm but I always encourage them to get there around 12-1pm. Bring lunch in and have drinks at the venue so they want to get there early and hangout. That way, you aren’t worried about them showing up late for photos and they are already there on-site and just need to get dressed.
5. No Diaper Butt. The groomsmen usually laugh when I tell them to check each other for diaper butt. This is when your pants are sitting too low on your hips and not where the seamstress put them when they were measuring you for your pants. If it looks like you are wearing a diaper (because your pants are too baggy on your butt), then pull your pants up a little higher on your hips. You can also check the bottom of your pant leg and see if it is too low on your shoes. Either way, make sure your pants look good. Again, it’s for the pictures.
6. Drink Plenty of Water. We all know that the groomsmen are known for having a good time and drinking plenty of alcohol on wedding day. That is totally fine and we want everyone to have a good time, but we also want to make sure you actually make it down the aisle. Most of the time, it is pretty warm during the ceremony and if you’re in a full suit, it can be even hotter. Nothing is worse than not drinking enough water and then sweating because it’s too hot out. So, whether you are drinking alcohol or not, make sure you drink a few water bottles before walking down the aisle. You can drink more after the ceremony is over. Everyone will thank you, especially the bride.
7. Make Sure the Groom Eats & Drinks. Usually the groom doesn’t have a problem with this but I always like to tell the groomsmen to make sure he eats and drinks (mainly water). Some grooms forget to eat or drink on wedding day because they are nervous, excited, busy doing other things, or claim they aren’t hungry. Just make sure he eats something so he doesn’t regret it later (especially if he is drinking, you want to make sure he has something to soak up the alcohol before he walks down the aisle).
8. Help Out Where You Can. Weddings have a lot of things that need to be set up, moved, and torn down. Offer your help to the bride or the bridesmaids. There are a lot of heavy things that usually need to be moved and it would be a whole lot easier if some of the groomsmen were willing and ready to help. At the end of the night, before you leave, make sure to ask if anyone needs help taking anything to the car or help cleaning up. Usually, the wedding planner and servers will take care of the decor and trash but there may be some personal items that need to get taken to the car. I promise the bride and the family will appreciate your willingness to help.
9. Don’t Lock Your Knees. This is the last and probably one of the most important tips. Do not lock your knees when you are standing at the altar for the ceremony. Always have a slight bend in your knees. Most of the time you won’t even notice the bend, but it will help prevent you from falling if you are dehydrated or overheated. It also keeps the blood flowing so make sure to bend your knees. Nothing is worse than someone passing out or falling over in the middle of the ceremony. Don’t be that guy.
These are just a few tips that we give our groomsmen so they can help make your wedding day the best! We hope these help. :)
Venue Fenway Hotel, Photo by Sarah Twohill Photography