What do groomsmen pay for? Who pays for suits? Who covers the expenses of a groomsman: the groom vs. groomsmen? Read on to find out everything you need to know including accessories and the bachelor party for weddings in 2023. Subscribe for the latest to your inbox!

If you’re asked to be a groomsman in a wedding, chances are you’re wondering what you can expect to pay for when it comes to expenses. How much does it really cost to be a groomsman? What are the EXACT expenses can you expect? Well, that depends on a few factors! In this blog post, we’ll tell you the costs of being a groomsman, what groomsmen pay for, and what expenses you do NOT need to cover when it comes to the wedding day.

Traditional Groomsmen Expenses

The costs of being groomsmen at a wedding depend on a few important factors; simply put, some weddings are more expensive than others. Here are some costs you can expect and which ones may mean larger expenses associated with being a groomsman.

1. Attire

First and foremost: groomsman attire. As a rule of thumb, groomsmen pay for their own attire. This is usually a rented tuxedo or suit, which includes the dress shirt, vest, pants, coat, tie, dress pants, and dress shoes. Sometimes the couple asks the groomsman to buy the suit, especially if it is a certain color — like slate blue or with a pattern. This is something you can expect to buy as pay for as a groomsman.

If the tie or another accessory the couple wishes everyone to wear, i.e. a unique gingham pattern, stripes, or a certain color not available for rent at the store, the cost should be covered by the couple — NOT the groomsmen.

As one example, if you want groomsmen to wear the same kind of dress socks with a plaid pattern, this should be given as a gift. Here’s an example of a gift of personalized dress socks that makes a perfect accessory to wear. It is by NoColdFeetCo.

The groom can give this accessory item as a part of the wedding party gift and make it known they’re doing so, to ensure groomsmen don’t pay for it ahead of time.

2. Groomsmen Accessories

Other items commonly given as gifts include the groomsmen’s accessories below. Most of these are already owned by groomsmen, so it’s not necessarily an added expense. However, if the item is not going to be given as a gift, they are to be worn by — and paid for — by groomsmen.

Personalized Groomsman Gifts

Giving personalized groomsmen gifts is a great way to make being a groomsman more affordable. Any of these are available as personalized gifts, where you can customize them and give them as wedding day presents. Click on an item below to see suggestions.

• Cufflinks (if required)
• Tie Bar (if required)
• Dress Socks (standard black)
• Pocket Square (this style is brilliant)
• Dress Shoes (may be included in your tuxedo rental)

These groomsmen accessories are often given as groomsmen gifts to offset the costs. This is why you often see cuff links being given as gifts on the wedding day. :)

Dress shoes are standard in either brown leather or black leather. If the couple asks for groomsmen to wear a certain kind of shoe or a designer brand, the cost of the shoes should be paid for by the couple and shoes are to be given as a gift.

For instance, if you want to have groomsmen in offbeat athletic sneakers, this is a cost you should cover. If you want groomsmen to wear only a certain designer pair of loafers, you need to pay for the shoes and give them as gifts.

Most groomsmen already own a pair of dress shoes that are suitable for a wedding, given a little buff + shine for the big day. :) By allowing the gentlemen to wear shoes they already own that coordinate with the tuxedo or suit you’ve selected, you can offset the costs of making them buy a pair.

3. Travel

Is it a local wedding or a destination wedding? Here are the costs you can expect for either scenario as a groomsman in a wedding.

Local

Groomsmen are expected to cover the costs of travel including any transportation and lodging for a local wedding.

Destination Wedding

However, if the wedding is a destination wedding, it is a nice gesture for the couple to cover some of the travel expenses. For instance, they may ask you to cover the cost of your plane ticket but will cover your hotel accommodations once you arrive for the three-day destination wedding celebration.

If the wedding is local and given you needn’t require a hotel for your stay, a groomsman covers his own cost of booking a hotel room for the weekend if he wishes to be closer to the venue. Transportation is usually provided by the couple to and from the venue (a limo bus, limousine, etc.)

4. Wedding Gift

Groomsmen should give a wedding gift to the couple on the wedding day. This is a traditional cost of being a groomsman and is a nice gesture to do.

6. Grooming

Prior to the wedding day, groomsmen should pay for a hair cut and shave, unless they’re keeping their beard or their hair is worn longer.

Similarly to the expenses of being a bridesmaid, groomsmen are expected to pay for their own hairstyle and shaving needs.

5. Bachelor Party

Groomsmen chip in to pay for the bachelor party for the groom. The main expenses are covered by and are the Best Man duties; however, a cost of being a groomsman is to pay for a portion of the bachelor party and attend.

As the Best Man, it is a good idea to foresee how affordable the bachelor party will be for groomsmen and try to offset the costs as much as possible. Of course, always keep the groom’s wishes in mind, as the bachelor party should be done the way the groom wants.

If a destination party weekend is the plan, giving him the party he wants is the ultimate goal of groomsmen.

► More Expensive: If it is a long bachelor party weekend — i.e. going to Vegas — the costs will be higher as there is travel associated.

► Affordable: If it is local, it may be an evening out at a local bar or club, where the costs will be lower.

The groom shouldn’t pay for any costs at the bachelor party, as it is a party thrown in his honor by his groomsmen.

Curious how much things cost? Here are some anticipated costs associated with being a wedding attendant including your attire and accessories for the big day itself. (Bachelor party not factored in; also, the wedding gift is typically cash and this guide will help.)

Making It More Affordable for Groomsmen

When you’re asking groomsmen to be in your wedding, consider asking those you feel will have no problem being a part of the fun. If travel seems to be an issue, and you can cover it, offer to pay for expenses to make it more affordable for groomsmen. If the suit is too pricey to buy, cover the costs of the suits for everyone and make it their groomsman gift.

It’s an honor to be a groomsman but you don’t want the costs associated to become a burden. Be mindful of your requests and, if able to, make it as affordable for your groomsmen as possible.

Planning a wedding is expensive as it is! When you add up the costs of everyone involved, it is truly a labor of love. As a groomsman, it can be tough to know what expenses you can expect to cover as groomsmen, but hopefully, this article helped you understand what costs you can expect. I hope this helps the couple see the costs associated, too, and can think of ways to make it more affordable for everyone.

Hope it helps!

xo
Emma