Groomsmen Haircuts: Getting the Wedding Party Booked and Matched
The simplest way to sort groomsmen haircuts is to agree a shared standard rather than identical cuts, have each groomsman book his own cut roughly a week before the wedding, and keep any group booking for small tidy-ups close to the day. “Matched” in photos means similar neatness, similar length relationship to the groom, and clean necklines and beards, not five copies of the same fade. Email the barber early with numbers and dates, give the out-of-town groomsmen a deadline, and make one person, usually the best man, responsible for chasing. That avoids the classic wedding-week problem: one usher arriving with a cut that is a fortnight overgrown, and another with one done the night before.
Matching or coordinating?
Identical haircuts rarely work. Your groomsmen will have different hair types, hairlines, ages and face shapes, and a skin fade that suits one will look harsh on another. What reads as “matched” in wedding photos is more subtle:
Similar level of polish. Everyone freshly cut, nobody visibly overdue.
Clean edges. Necklines, sideburns and ears tidied. This does more for a group shot than the cut on top.
Consistent beard approach. Beards can vary, but they should all look recently shaped. One straggly beard in a line of tidy faces stands out.
Nothing more dramatic than the groom. A quiet convention, but a sensible one.
If the groom wants a stricter look, such as everyone in a classic short back and sides, it is still worth letting each barber adapt the length and finish to the individual head. Same family of cut, tailored versions.
When each groomsman should book
Hair needs a few days to settle after a cut: lines soften slightly and the hair loses that just-done look. Too early, and a short cut starts to look overgrown by the day.
Cut type | Suggested timing | Why |
|---|---|---|
Skin or high fade | 2 to 4 days before | Fades grow out visibly fast |
Taper, short back and sides | 4 to 7 days before | Lets the cut soften without looking overdue |
Longer scissor cut | 7 to 10 days before | Gives time to settle and to correct anything |
Beard shaping | 2 to 5 days before | Lines stay sharp, skin has time to calm |
The groom’s own timeline is a separate question, often with a trial cut weeks earlier. Our groom haircut timeline covers that in detail; this post is about getting everyone else organised around it.
A booking plan for the best man
Eight weeks out: Agree the look with the groom. A couple of reference photos for the overall feel, plus a rule on beards (kept, shaped, or shaved).
Six weeks out: Send the plan to the groomsmen with the dates by which they should have booked. Wedding seasons fill up, and Fridays and Saturdays are the first to go at most barbers.
Four weeks out: Check who has booked. Anyone who is changing style significantly should have a cut now, so there is time to grow out a mistake.
The week of the wedding: Final cuts and beard work, following the timings above.
Day before or morning of: Only small tidy-ups, such as a neckline or a beard edge, if the barber can fit them. Nothing new or experimental.
Out-of-town groomsmen
The usher flying in from Edinburgh or Singapore is the usual weak link. Two options work:
Cut at home, a week before. Ask him to book with his own barber and send a photo. Simple, and his barber knows his hair.
Cut locally on arrival. If he lands a few days before, book him a slot near the venue or where he is staying. Email the barber with his arrival date and any details of what he normally has, so the assessment is quicker.
What does not work is hoping he will find somewhere the morning of the wedding.
Booking more than one groomsman at once
Some groups like to go together, often combined with a drink afterwards. It is a good idea if the timing works, but be realistic about how many people a shop can see in one block. At Highgate Cuts, the best approach is to email us with the number of people, the services each wants and the dates you are considering, and we will tell you what we can fit. Every visit begins with an assessment of the person’s hair and what they need, so allow for that per person.
A combined haircut and beard visit takes longer than a cut alone, and a hot towel shave takes 20 to 30 minutes, so a group mixing services needs more time than you might think. Our guide to combining a haircut and beard trim explains what is involved in each.
Beards and shaves
Beards are where groomsmen photos most often fall down. A few rules:
Shape beards a few days before, not on the morning, so any redness has settled.
If a groomsman wants a clean shave for the day, he should shave the way he normally does. A first-ever wet shave on the wedding morning risks razor rash. If he is prone to bumps or irritation, the British Association of Dermatologists' page on folliculitis explains what causes them.
A hot towel shave a day or two before is a pleasant pre-wedding treat and leaves skin time to recover.
Agree necklines. One groomsman with a neckline sitting on his jaw and another down his throat looks oddly mismatched in profile shots.
A checklist for each groomsman
Booked a cut for the right window before the day.
Told the barber it is for a wedding, and shared any guidance from the groom.
Beard shaped a few days before, or a plan to shave.
Product he knows works for him, packed in his overnight bag.
No experimental styles in the final month.
For anyone attending who is not in the wedding party, our guide to wedding guest haircuts is a lighter read. And if you would like help planning the cuts for the group, our Archway Road barbers are happy to advise when you email.
Questions we get asked
Should all the groomsmen have the same haircut?
Rarely. Aim for the same level of neatness and clean edges, and let each cut suit the person. It photographs better than forced uniformity.
Can the groom and groomsmen all come in on the same day?
Possibly, depending on numbers and services. Email us with details and dates and we will tell you what is realistic.
Who usually pays for groomsmen haircuts?
Customs vary. Often each groomsman pays for his own, and some grooms cover it as a thank-you. Agree it upfront to avoid awkwardness.
What if a groomsman gets a bad cut the week before?
Book a correction quickly. A barber can usually neaten a bad cut, though they cannot add length, which is why big changes belong earlier.
Book with The Highgate House
Ready for a proper cut? Email us at [email protected] with the service and the day that suits you, and we will come back to you with times.
Visit The Highgate House · The barbers
The Highgate House, Archway Road, Highgate, London N6.
