Groomsman

A groomsman is the male counterpart to the bridesmaids. The groom’s escort was formerly known as the ‘brudsvenner’; they were five friends or relatives whose task was to protect the bride and groom on their way to and from the church, and they guarded the carriages carrying the bride’s trousseau.

The
groomsman walks in pairs with the bridesmaid behind the bride and groom as they enter the church. The groomsman walks behind the groom and the bridesmaid behind the bride.

The groomsman, like the bridesmaid, is usually unmarried when they walk together up the aisle; if one is married, it is appropriate to do so only with one’s spouse.

The church ushers are the friends or relatives of the
bride and groom who welcome guests at the church and show them to their seats. The closer the relative or friend, the closer to the altar they sit. The bride’s guests and friends traditionally sit on the left-hand side of the church, and the groom’s on the right. The church ushers then lead the way when the bride and groom enter the church, one on either side of the aisle, and if there are more than two church ushers, they bring up the rear after the bridesmaids and the best man.

The correct attire for the groomsman is considered to be the same as that of the other guests. However, it is now common for the groomsman to wear a tailcoat, even if only the groom is wearing a tailcoat and the other guests are in suits. This applies mainly when the bridesmaid is wearing a long dress.