So, you've been bestowed with the prestigious title of best man – congratulations!
It's not just a role; it's a symbol of trust and friendship, marking you as a crucial member of the bridal party. Being the best man entails more than just flashing your pearly whites in photos and delivering a stellar speech (though if you need pointers, we can certainly help you with that too!).
To truly excel as the best man, it takes preparation, dedication, and a willingness to go above and beyond the groom's expectations. That's why we've put together a comprehensive checklist of the essential tasks every best man should tackle before, during, and after the big day. From wrangling groomsmen to ensuring everything runs smoothly, we've got you covered every step of the way!
Let's start by unravelling the classic duties of the best man. Typically, this esteemed role involves orchestrating the stag do, delivering a memorable best man's speech, safeguarding the wedding rings, and coordinating the ushers. On paper, it might seem like a straightforward task list. However, a truly exceptional best man goes above and beyond these expectations to ensure the groom's big day is nothing short of extraordinary.
Keep reading to discover what it truly means to be the ultimate wingman for your best mate.
Who typically assumes the role of best man?
Often, it's the groom's closest confidant, be it a lifelong friend or a cherished family member like a brother or cousin. There are no hard and fast rules about who gets to wear the title of best man – it's entirely up to the groom's discretion. In fact, some grooms opt for not one, but two or even three best men!
What exactly are the key duties of the best man?
In essence, they include:
Organising and orchestrating an epic stag do
Crafting a captivating best man's speech
Assisting with suiting up
Helping the groom prepare for the ceremony
Walking down the aisle alongside the groom
Safeguarding the precious wedding bands
Welcoming and mingling with wedding guests
Occasionally, serving as a witness and signing the marriage license
Arranging transportation for the newlyweds
These duties may seem like a lot, but fear not – we're here to guide you through every step of the way!
Support the Groom
Your primary duty as the best man is to be there for the groom in every way possible. It's not just about being physically present; it's about offering unwavering emotional support. Leading up to the wedding, the groom may experience a mix of excitement and nervousness. Your role is to lend a listening ear, provide words of encouragement, and help alleviate any pre-wedding jitters. Be the groom's confidant and right-hand man throughout the entire wedding planning process.
Being the best man involves infusing a genuine sense of excitement and joyfulness into the groom and the entire bridal party. It's your moment to shine and spread infectious positivity in every interaction, even during those moments of speech-writing stress. Be that beacon of enthusiasm, keeping those upbeat vibes in all your messages to everyone involved.
Even if the groom seeks your input on seemingly mundane matters like place settings, put on a cheerful demeanour and show genuine interest in the details.
Regardless of any personal reservations you may have about the groom's future wife or nostalgia for your bachelor days, it's essential to tuck away these sentiments and project unbridled happiness for your friend on his big day.
Plan the Stag Party
One of the most enjoyable responsibilities of being the best man is organising the bachelor party. This is your chance to create lasting memories with the groom and the rest of the groomsmen. Work closely with the groom to plan an event that suits his preferences and personality. Whether it's a wild night out on the town, a weekend getaway, or a more subdued gathering, make sure it's an experience he'll cherish.
Here's a thought – why not start a group chat with all the invitees? It's a simple way to keep everyone in the loop and make planning a breeze. Plus, don't forget to take everyone's budgets into consideration – we want all the boys to join in on the fun without breaking the bank. But above all else, keep the groom front and centre in your planning. Make sure everything you organise is right up his alley.
Oh, and a pro tip: aim to host the stag do at least a month before the wedding. That way, everyone can fully recover and be on top form for the big day!
Assist with Groomsmen Attire
Leading up to the big day, you'll play a crucial role in helping the groom and other groomsmen with attire-related tasks. This includes attending fittings, ensuring that everyone has the correct attire, and making certain that all clothing and accessories are in order for the wedding. Attention to detail in this area is essential to ensure that everyone looks their best.
You might find yourself in charge of herding the other ushers together and scheduling a trip to the suit shop to ensure everyone has the perfect sizes.
If you're scattered across different locations, it might be more practical to request the ushers' measurements instead. And don't hesitate to share your thoughts when the groom seeks your input on suit choices. After all, both of you should shine on this significant day!
Coordinate Transportation
On the wedding day, coordinating transportation is a significant responsibility. You'll want to ensure that the groom and groomsmen arrive at the wedding venue on time and in style. This might involve arranging for a limousine, renting a classic car, or simply ensuring that everyone has reliable transportation. Having transportation logistics well-organised is crucial to avoid any last-minute stress or delays.
Be the Point of Contact
As the best man, you serve as the primary point of contact for any questions or concerns the groomsmen may have. It's important to maintain open lines of communication and ensure that everyone is aware of the schedule and knows where they need to be at specific times. This helps maintain order and ensures that the day runs smoothly.
Once you’ve acquainted yourself with the other ushers, it’s time to be the lead member of the groomsmen and really step up when it comes to organising everyone.
The ushers will look to you for instructions for what they need to do on the wedding day itself (jobs include handing out orders of service, guiding guests to their seats, helping set up, ushering guests into a receiving line, etc.). Organising the ushers will be a massive help for the groom and really take a weight off his shoulders.
Hold the Rings
One of the most symbolic duties of the best man is holding the wedding rings during the ceremony. This role signifies the trust and close bond you share with the groom. You'll need to ensure that the rings are safely tucked away and present them when the time comes during the ceremony. It's a moment of great importance and symbolism.
This may seem like a small task, but its significance cannot be overstated. Whatever you do, avoid channelling Hugh Grant in "Four Weddings and a Funeral" (remember when he had to retrieve rings from random guests?).
The engaged couple has invested a considerable amount in these rings, and they hold immense symbolic value during the ceremony. Thus, it's crucial to have them readily accessible when the officiant requests them. However, this responsibility can become notably more stressful if there are ring-bearers involved.
These could be young children, pets, or even unconventional choices like owls. Best of luck if you've been entrusted with any of these roles. After all, they say, "never work with children or animals!!"
And Finally
Decorate The Newlywed's Car
As the groom’s right-hand man, you get the honour and extremely fun task of co-ordinating the decorating of the newlyweds’ car.
If the couple isn’t leaving the wedding during the reception you can always decorate the car they’ll be leaving in the next day. The whole wedding party can get involved in this task, but as best man, you’re in charge of the overall look and design.
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