Who should be a groomsman?

[Matorin]

Now before I get a whole bunch of "WELL SHUCKS IT CAN BE WHOEVER YOU WANT IT TO BE AND DON'T LET NOBODY TELL YA DIFFERNT!" I'm wondering more what is usual/has anyone else heard of this. My question is: How much older than the groom have you seen groomsman? My fiance's is looking to have either 3 or 5 bridesmaids, and I really only have two people around my age who I would consider close enough friends to be my best man/other groomsman. That leaves at least 1 more to fill, and I don't have anyone around my age. However, the leader of my campus outreach group (the Navigators) and I are close, but he is in his early 40s and has a wife and two kids. Now I know there are no hard and fast rules about "ye must have thy groomsman be no more than such and so an age older" but I'm wondering, for weddings with people ~22, have you ever seen a groomsman (or bridesmaid for that matter) who was in their 40s or older?

 

[NiobiumTragedy]

I have at a few weddings I've worked. Nothing odd about it, really.

I've personally been a groomsman in a wedding where I didn't really know the guy all that well, but he needed more groomsmen to match the bridesmaids and was in your same position, so being that I'm married to the brides sister, they asked me.

 

[mina]

my brother had our dad as his best man.....

I'm thinking of asking a lady in her 40's to be one of my bridesmaids.

 

[Luther073082]

Got a favorite cousin?

Don't know, my wife and I just had a *matron of honor and a best man with no other bridesmaids or groomsmen. So it was relativly easy for us.

 

[Rora]

I think that it would be perfectly acceptable to ask him, even though he's considerably older than you.

I've seen a wide range of bridal party ages-- MOHs and BM that were parents, older cousins, etc.

I'm sure your Dad or an Uncle would be happy to step in. Best of luck!

 

[gzt]

Yeah, that age discrepancy is fine.

 

[twins15]

I personally haven't seen it myself, but I agree, I don't see any problem whatsoever with that, especially if he has had a big impact in your life.

 

[Beauty4Ashes]

I think it's fine. My husbands groomsmen were all his age or younger. His 3 good friends and my younger brother.

When one of my brothers got married, his best man was quite a bit older than him. He looked atleast 40 and my brother was in his 20's at the time.

 

[married0116]

I have. My husband and I got married 1 year ago and wanted a small wedding.... He has 2 brothers and had both stand up for him. I had my brother stand up for me and my matron of honor is 20 years older than I. Ultimately, age doesn't matter. What matters is the closeness of the people who are standing with you on your day!

 

[CrystalBrooke]

Don't ask anyone to be in your wedding just because you feel like the numbers need to match. I have 3 bridesmaids and my groom will have 4 groomsmen..big deal.

I don't see the age gap as a big deal.

 

[SparkyMaddie]

It does not matter! It is who you are closest to and want to have. I have an aunt as one of my bridesmaids and she is in her 30's. I'm that close to her.