It's time to call in the troops and decide whom you want by your side for the biggest day of your life so far. So, how do you go about choosing your groomsmen?

Whoever accepts the honour of being in your wedding party is automatically taking on a financial obligation. Can the individual you are asking afford this, or is it going to create a problem? Be assured that he will say yes because he's your friend and isn't thinking about what it's going to cost him.

BEST MAN

Your best man should be your closest and most dependable family member or friend. Some one you instinctively know is going to support you through the turmoil, talk you through the nerves, someone dependable and helpful. If you have a brother, this may be an easy choice. There's no law that says your best man has to be a family member. Just choose the best guy for this job.

BEST MAN DUTIES

• Plan and pay for bachelor party w/groomsmen's help.
• Rent and pay for a tux, and go for fittings.
• Attend rehearsal and rehearsal dinner.
• Help bring and boxes to ceremony and reception locations.
• Help the groom dress and make sure he gets to the church on time.
• Be showered and shaved
• Wear black socks
• Keep the bride's wedding ring until the ring exchange. You may be asked to hold both rings or none at all if the ring bearer has them.
• Sign the marriage license.
• The couple will give you a sealed envelope with the officiant or church fee in it. You will give this the priest/officiant before the ceremony.
• Sit to the groom's left at the reception.
  
• Dances with the maid of honour.
  
• Make a first toast to the bride and groom. This is usually done before dinner but in some cases right after.
  
• Help maid of honour bring gifts to the bride and groom's house.
  
• Collect and return the groom's tux and his on time.

GROOMSMEN

Your groomsmen should also be a helpful bunch of fun guys. Keep in mind that you do not necessarily have to have the same number of groomsmen as she has bridesmaids. You could have more or less. It all depends on how many people you want have there with you.

GROOMSMEN DUTIES

• Go and pick out your tuxes and show up for fittings
  
• Help the groom and best man, if they need any
  
• Help plan and pay for the stag
  
• Help with loading and unloading cars of decorations, liquor, etc….
  
• Attend the rehearsal and the rehearsal dinner.
• Wear black socks
  
• Be showered and shaved (clean)
  
• Greet and seat guests at the ceremony.
  
• Escort the mother of the groom to her seat.
  
• Escort the mother of the bride to her seat.
  
• Roll out a red or white carpet down the church aisle for the bride to walk on.
  
• Smile for the photographer.
  
• Sit at the head table during dinner
  
• Dance with a bridesmaid
  
• Have fun and stay reasonably sober (yah, and then we woke up)
  
• At the end of the reception, help load the car with gifts and everything else.
  
• Return your tux.

So if you think you have the right guys in mind, go ahead and ask.