Best Man Duties -He’s Got Your Back

Articles

Best Man Duties -He’s Got Your Back

by Glynn Ferguson

It really is the highest honor to be asked to serve as the Best Man in a friends or relative’s wedding.  Understandably, you are close to the groom and probably the bride and now you are being entrusted to take on the responsibilities and duties that fall there-in the Best Man role. 

If you are not sure what the Best Man duties are, don’t worry we’ve got you covered.  You are essentially the groom’s go-to guy and listening ear throughout the entire process.

We’ve broken these duties down into duties before the big day, on the big day, during the ceremony, at the reception, and after the party’s over.

Here we go:

Best Man Duties Before the Wedding Day

  1.  Help the groom and the groomsmen choose their attire for the wedding day.  Remember to stay within the couple’s vision for their wedding, but also take into consideration the budget that each of the groomsmen may have.  Do we rent? Do we buy?  Is it suits?  Is it a tux? Crazy socks? Cuff links?  Lots of decision to be made.  Talk it over with the couple before you beach the subject with the groomsmen.
  2. Plan the bachelor Party.  It is the Best Man’s duty to plan the bachelor party with the help of the groomsmen.  Talk to the groom about the type of bachelor party he wants.  Local or travel?  Wild or Tame? Work with the groom to plan a night or a weekend that fits his style-not your own.  Create a plan that works within everyone’s budget.
  3. Get to know any groomsmen that you don’t already know.  Make them feel included.  If there are ushers for the wedding, do the same.  If there is going to be one last drink, one last prayer, or a fist bump before you head down the aisle, make sure to include everyone groomsmen and ushers.
  4. Put together a Best Man kit.  Head to the store a week or more before the wedding day.  Spray deodorant, toiletries, band aids, Tylenol, breath mints, and maybe an extra pair of socks (just in case someone forget their own.)  
  5. Remind the groomsmen to try on their attire to make sure everything fits.  If not, this is the time to take care of it.
  6. Write a Best Man speech.  Don’t put it off.  Prepare, prepare, prepare.  Make it personal!
  7. Coordinate a gift from the groomsmen to the groom.  When you all pitch in you can give him something really special.  Whether it is a bottle of his favorite drink or something personalized, it would be a really nice touch.
  8. Stay with the groom the groom the night before the wedding.  Be there for him to make sure he gets a good night sleep and that you are there if he needs a listening ear.

Best Man Duties the Day of the Wedding

  1.  Know the schedule for the day.  You will be a point of reference for everyone.  From groomsmen to the stray guest, you would be surprised at how many people will ask you what the next thing is or where they are supposed to be. Keep the groomsmen on schedule.
  2. Help the groom get ready.  He has to be in pictures before anyone else.  Help hi get ready and then let him relax for a little while.  Then focus on getting yourself and the other groomsmen ready.  Make sure that everyone eats before the ceremony, all cell phones are put in a safe place, and everyone has their boutonniere on their jacket before they walk down the aisle. 
  3. Hold the wedding rings until the bride and groom exchange them.  No, resist all urges to keep them in the box—this looks terrible, simply keep them in your pocket.  In your front pants pocket where they can be reached easily. 
  4. Stand next to the groom.  You are his go-to, his right hand, his Best Man.
  5. Sign the license.  Usually, a marriage license has two blanks for witnesses.  These typically are signed by the Best Man and the Maid or Matron of Honor.

Best Man Duties at the Reception

  1.  Enter the reception with the Maid or Matron of Honor.  Plan a fun entrance. Coordinate that with the person you are entering with.
  2. Make your Best Man speech.  Practice before hand and stick to your notes lest you open your mouth and prove yourself a fool.
  3. Dance with the Maid or Matron of Honor- right after the Bride and Groom’s first dance.  Your energy will draw others to the dance floor.  Also, dance with the bride when available.
  4.  Make sure the Bride and Groom get to eat and drink.  With all their guests vying for their attention, it is hard to slip away for a bite.  You may have to run interference for them.
  5. Now that the dance floor is full and the Bride and Groom are getting a bit to eat, here is your opportunity to slip away with some of the wedding party to “decorate” the couple’s going-away car.  Don’t put tape on the paint or do anything that would leave a permanent mark, but have fun!

Post Wedding Duties of the Best Man

  1.  Usually, the Best Man is responsible for collecting the rentals from the groom and the groomsmen, then getting those back to the store or shipping them back to the rental company.
  2. Some couples ask the Best Man to drive them to the airport for their honeymoon.  It is a nice gesture, so just ask if they would like you to do that for them.
Tags:
0