Being asked to be the best man at someone’s wedding is an honor and a privilege that should not be taken lightly. If you were chosen to play this part, odds are that this person thinks very highly of you. This is especially true if the person, who chooses you, knows how important the role of the best man is in a wedding. If he does, he is saying that he trusts you with one of the most important aspects of his life. You will need to ask yourself if you are up to the challenge and responsibility of this role. The groom will be asking you to help him make many important decisions and to support him should he become scared or confused. It could be anything from picking out wedding party favors or helping to choose wedding shower favors to something very important like cold feet and insecurities. It is your job to be strong and supportive and offer your very best advice when asked for it. Here are some of the other duties that might fall to the best man.
The best man is basically in charge of the groomsmen. This is a group of three to five men who have stepped up to the plate to help out. You will be responsible for assigning the tasks of ushers and valets, church and ceremony set ups and take downs, and the million and one other tasks that need to be taken care of. You will also help the groom to decide what the groomsmen will wear and may be responsible for getting the fittings done and picking up the items. You will need to make sure everyone knows what to do, where to be, and how they look at the process.
You are responsible for planning and paying for the bachelor party. It might be a good idea to set your groomsmen to taking up a collection from the grooms friends and acquaintances in order to throw him the best possible party. You get to pick out the entertainment, the food venue and are responsible for everyone getting home alive. Planning a bachelors party is a lot more involved than just getting a bunch of friends together in a bar so do the research and think it through.
You will be in a great position to help keep the groom stay organized and help him accomplish the many tasks he has before him. Go with him to be fitted for his tuxedo, and be there with him to offer advice when he picks out the wedding rings. In many weddings, it is the best man that holds the wedding rings until it is time, during the ceremony, to present them to the bride.
At the reception, you are responsible for many duties, most of which involve making sure everyone has a great time and checking on the catering services. You will help caterers with any needs they may have. You have a dance responsibility with the maid of honor and also with any single women or relatives that appear to be left out of the festivities.
You will have a speech. This takes a lot of preparation and foresight on your part. Very often, if the wedding and ceremony go well, it is the best man and maid of honor who can accept much of the praise for this. It is because of these great responsibilities that you should be honored and proud to have been chosen. It shows how much trust and confidence the wedding couple has to you. Finally, do not forget that you and the Maid of Honor are responsible for decorating the wedding car and should get together to help with the wedding shower preparations.
