Your Best Man Duties
Being a best man is not just about throwing a kick-ass bachelor party. As the best man, you actually have a ton of responsibilities to fulfil both before and during the wedding. Being asked to be someone’s bestman is a huge honour – an honour that is an age old tradition.
Back in the middle ages, the “best man” was appointed by the groom as his most trusted friend and his primary duty was to protect the bride before and during the wedding. Since weddings in those days often carried on for days, this was a formidable task.
Fortunately your duties for a modern wedding is much easier – and a lot more fun. Here are some of your most important duties. You will not always be “asked” to fulfil them but you should go out of your way to be there and do them.
- Dress for success
One of your first duties is to help the groom pick a tuxedo or suit to wear at the wedding. It’s your task to make sure that he does not make a dumbass mistake like picking a white tuxedo with a pink tie (believe it or not, but this stuff happens!). You are also responsible for picking out the outfits for the groomsmen and co-ordinating it with the maid of honour.
- The Party
The most fun and probably the most important duty you have is to organise the bachelor party. Brides do not like these parties, so it’s best if you keep all the plans under very close wraps and only invite the groom’s closest friends. If you plan on getting really wild with it it is still your duty to look after the groom and to make sure he does not do anything he would regret.
- The Rings
It is your duty to hold on to the rings that the bride and groom will exchange during the wedding ceremony. There’s been many horror stories of best men who forgot the wedding rings. This can make or break a wedding. Don’t take this one lightly!
- The Speech and The Toast
Probably the least exciting and most nerve wrecking part of being the best man is your speech or toast. You are expected to deliver a speech where you say a few things about the groom and usually conclude with a toast – toasting their eternal happiness. It’s best to check with the bride and groom what’s expected of you to make sure your speech fits in with the rest of the wedding format.
Although these are just some of the important duties you have, you are generally there to assist the groom with any part of the wedding – before and after. You are there are his right hand man and giving him emotional support is probably your most important duty. Getting married can be a nerve wrecking ordeal for most men. Be there for your friend.
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