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Tips for Men - What to Wear?
The Groom, Best Man, Father of the Bride, Ushers etc.
What are they going to wear and are you going to leave them to sort it out themselves?
Again there is lots of choice - lounge suits, frock coats, Edwardian jackets, morning suits etc.
Are they going to hire or buy - if your choice is traditional morning dress, it is normal to hire the outfits for the day. If so, also consider gloves, top hats, cuff links, shirts and shoes.
If you have waistcoats it is normal to match the colour to your theme or Bride's Maids colour, but they can all have different waistcoats if you wish - quite often the groom has one colour, maybe matching your dress theme, and the others are all the same matching the Bride's Maids (or not) as you wish.
You may want to leave this part to the groom to sort out, but will have to be involved to some degree if you want continuity, or want his waistcoat made out of the same fabric as your bodice for example.
Who Does What!
Groom -
He should NOT be involved in your dress or Bride's Maids dresses at all. As for everything else, this is a personal decision to make between yourselves.
Traditionally, he should arrange and pay for the wedding car arranging travel to
and from the Church. He also arranges any suit hire, prepares a response to the
'toast to the Bride & Groom' and proposes a toast to the Bride's Maids.
He should buy gifts for the Bride's Maids, Ushers & Best Man, buy the rings and arrange the Honeymoon travel.
Alternatively, you may be happy for him just to turn up on time appropriately dressed!!
Best Man -
Chosen by the Groom, and usually his closest friend. Traditionally, he ensures the timely arrival of the Groom at the ceremony, stands with him during the ceremony, and has custody of the wedding rings until the appropriate moment. In addition, he may arrange the Stag Night (don't ask for details!),
co-ordinate the Ushers, and insure smooth transport arrangements after the ceremony for all guests. It is also his role to provide a witty speech (including embarrassment for the Groom) during which he should reply to the Bride's Maids toast, propose a toast to 'The Parents' and to 'The Bride & Groom'. He should also pay any Church fees on
behalf of the Groom and return any hired suits. If applicable, he will also read any cards or telegrams from persons not present at the ceremony.
Father of the Bride -
Traditionally, he 'gives you away' and escorts you to and during the ceremony.
He also (traditionally) pays for everything - namely: your dress, Bride's Maid dresses, invitations, press announcements, cars (except the Groom's), photos, and the reception.
Ushers -
If you choose to have Ushers, it is their role to great guests on their arrival at the ceremony, and hand out copies of the wedding service ensuring that guests sit on the correct side of the church dependant on whether they are guests of the Bride or Groom.
They may also be involved in helping to co-ordinate the Bride's Maids, or helping with transport and parking arrangements after the ceremony and at the reception.
Others -
If you have chosen a traditional look with the men in morning dress for example, you should include the Groom's father and any other close family males you feel appropriate. Normally, these others have no specific roles to play, though some Father's of the Groom want to be included in the speech duties.
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