A bridegroom (often shortened to groom) is a man who is about to be married or who is newlywed. In some circles, it is a modern alternative to bride or groom.
When marrying, the bridegroom's future spouse (if female) is usually referred to as the bride. A bridegroom is typically attended by a best man and groomsmen.
The first mention of the term bridegroom dates to 1572,[1] from the Old English brȳdguma,[2] a compound of brȳd (bride) and guma (man, human being, hero). It is related to the Old Saxon brūdigomo, the Old High German brūtigomo, the German Bräutigam, and the Old Norse brúðgumi.[2] [3]
The style of the bridegroom's clothing can be influenced by many factors, including the time of day, the location of the ceremony, the ethnic backgrounds of the bride and bridegroom, the type of ceremony, and whether the bridegroom is a member of the Armed Forces.
In Anglo-American weddings, the bridegroom will often give a short speech after the reception, thanking the guests for attending, complimenting the bride, thanking members of the wedding party, and possibly sharing a "roast toast", in which he makes jokes at the expense of himself or a member of his party. His speech will normally be followed by one from the best man.
In Christianity, Jesus Christ is called a bridegroom in relation to the Church as his bride. In the Gospel of John, John the Baptist speaks of Jesus Christ as the bridegroom and mentions the bride.
Also see Matthew 9:15; 25:1-13; Mark 2:19-20; Luke 5:34-35; John 2:9; 3:29.