Is There a Difference Between a Groomsman and an Usher?

An usher's main role is to greet and seat guests as they arrive at the ceremony. He’ll hand out programs, know where reserved seating is, distribute guests (bride’s on the left, groom’s on the right), and assist late arrivals so they can be seated as inconspicuously as possible. In addition to seating guests, ushers seat family members in the correct order right before the processional. They also light the candles for a candlelit ceremony, and roll out the aisle runner before the processional begins.

A groomsman, on the other hand, stands up for the groom during the ceremony. He may also be asked to also serve as an usher at a small wedding. Both groomsmen and ushers are invited to all of the prewedding fun, including the bachelor party, rehearsal, and rehearsal dinner.