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Planning and timeline · Bridesmaids, best man and ushers

How many best men should you have at a wedding?

Answered by the UK Wedding Websites editorial team · Updated 2026-10-12 · For the bridal party

Short answer

You can have as many best men as you like. There is no legal limit. Many couples have two or three, especially if they cannot choose between close friends or brothers. Just make sure each has a clear role.

There is no rule about how many best men you can have. You could have one, two, three, or even more. Some couples choose one best man and then have ushers or groomsmen to share the duties. Others pick two best men, for example a brother and a best friend, and give them joint responsibilities. If you have several, the key is to define roles clearly so no one is left confused. For example, one best man might hold the rings, another might give the speech, and a third might coordinate the ushers. You can also have them all stand with you, or just one stands while the others sit in the front row. The same applies to the maid of honour or chief bridesmaid. There is no legal requirement for any of these roles. They are all about support and tradition. The most important thing is that everyone knows what they are doing and feels included. Talk to each person privately about what you would like them to do. That way, no one feels left out or overburdened. A small team of best men can be a great help, especially on a busy day.

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