How Many Groomsmen In A Wedding And How To Choose

The answer to how many groomsmen in a wedding depends, but the average is six. We will talk about how much is too much and if you can have very few groomsmen. 

We will also include tips on choosing your groomsmen, so you’ll be ready on your wedding day. But on the bride’s side, you can read how many bridesmaids are there in a wedding as well. 

how many groomsmen in a wedding

We hope our blogs help you finalize the size of your wedding party. 

 

How Many Groomsmen Should You Have In A Wedding?

There are no rules on how many groomsmen you must have at a wedding, but the average size for most weddings is six groomsmen. Six groomsmen are ideal because they’re not too many or too few. 

Having this number of people on the groom’s side will also look good in photos. But if you can’t decide on a number, you can also use the number of bridesmaids on the bride’s side and have as many groomsmen as them. 

This way, you can pair a groomsman with a bridesmaid as they walk the processional. Nonetheless, you can have as many groomsmen as you want since grooms vary in the size of their friend groups and relatives to include.

 

How Many Groomsmen Is Typical?

Most grooms have six groomsmen, but it’s also typical to have three to five men standing with the groom. It can include his brothers, the bride’s brothers, and groom’s closest male friends. Keep in mind that while it’s not expected, the groom will often be responsible for the expenses of his groomsmen. 

This typically includes their suits, accommodation, travel, and favors, so choose your groomsmen wisely if you’re limited with your budget. Of course, you also want to ensure that they have good relationships to prevent an awkward atmosphere. 

If you can’t have all your favorite relatives and friends as your groomsmen because the number is complete, you can always include these male guests in your ceremony or reception instead. For example, have some friends be the ushers, the MC, the DJ, or even the officiant. 

 

How Many Groomsmen Is Too Many?

If three to five groomsmen seem too few for you, you can increase the number by eight to ten groomsmen. But, of course, having more than ten groomsmen will be too many, especially since they’ll be standing at the front with you. 

Furthermore, you want to have the same number of groomsmen as the bridesmaids. If it’s not a big wedding, it should be acceptable also to have a small wedding party. 

Another reason why you shouldn’t have too many groomsmen is that it’s likely for some people to feel like they’re overlooked. It would seem like you’ve already included many people, but why are they still not included? 

To avoid hurting feelings, it’s best to stick only with your closest friends and relatives as groomsmen. And, of course, you’re also not obligated to include all your male relatives if you don’t want to. 

 

Are Five Groomsmen Too Much?

Five to six groomsmen is an excellent number for most weddings, big or small. It should be enough to have your best friends, brothers, or closest relatives at the aisle with you. 

Brides also often have five bridesmaids, so having five groomsmen will be ideal. And if it’s a big wedding with more than 100 guests, then you can have twice the amount of groomsmen.

 

Is One Groomsmen A Groomsman?

Very intimate weddings also have a small wedding party. Instead of having five to six groomsmen, the groom will typically only have one to two groomsmen. 

Sometimes, he’ll only have his best man and a groomsman the same way the bride only includes one maid of honor and bridesmaid. So if you’re thinking of having only one groomsman, you can go through with it. 

 

Is It Okay Not To Have Groomsmen?

It’s okay not to have a groomsman for many reasons. Perhaps you are eloping, have a small wedding, or you’re limited with your budget. 

You can always celebrate with your male friends after or before the ceremony if you don’t want groomsmen. Here is how to have a wedding without bridesmaids and groomsmen for more ideas. 

 

What To Consider When Choosing Groomsmen?

  • Number of bridesmaids
  • Wedding budget
  • Type of wedding
  • Closeness with the relative or friend
  • Closeness with the bride’s recommendations as groomsmen
  • Preference regarding having groomsmen 

 

Can the bride choose groomsmen?

You and your partner can discuss the members of your wedding party. However, it’s customary for the groom to choose his groomsmen and the bride for her bridesmaids. 

Feel free to give suggestions to each other, but be considerate of your partner’s choices and reasons. For example, just because your partner has a brother or male best friend doesn’t mean they’ll automatically be a groomsman. 

 

What’s The Purpose Of Groomsmen?

  • Assist the groom before and during the wedding
  • Help with the bridesmaids when doing pre-wedding parties
  • Chip in with some expenses shouldered by the whole wedding party
  • Help with the guests similar to ushers

 

Conclusion

And that’s it! We learned how many groomsmen in a wedding which is typically six, but some weddings also tend to have three to five. 

You can have eight to ten groomsmen for big weddings or match the number of bridesmaids. Of course, going over ten is not ideal for budget and tact, but it’s acceptable not to have any groomsman if you want. 

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