On your wedding day, there’s no more important person than your best man. He’s your go-to-guy, your wingman, your com-padre. Forget to bring black socks to the hotel? He’s on it. Don’t know where the ring is? He does. The best man has a lot of roles leading up to and on the day of the wedding.
Get ready to take mental notes – here’s a list of some of the main responsibilities the best man should have…
Responsibilities of the Best Man
Suits
The best man should quality assure that the groomsmen meet the Bride’s standard, in terms of attire. If they are wearing black suits and cream ties, the best man ensures they are all wearing the same shades of cream. If formal wear is rented, the best man ensures the groomsmen place their rental and know when to pick their suits up. He is also responsible for returning the groom’s suit while he’s on honeymoon.
Bachelor/Stag Party
While the best man and groomsmen generally plan the groom’s last big night out together, the best man has the task of ensuring the groom survives the night. If the bachelor party is the night before the wedding (which a good best man will ensure it’s not) he must get the groom to the ceremony, regardless how much water and coffee it takes.
Cars, luggage and tickets
You have enough to worry about on your wedding day. Let the best man assist with transport and other honeymoon tasks. He will arrange transportation for the wedding party to the ceremony and reception, and get you and your new bride to the airport. He’ll hang on to your plane tickets, passports, wallets and luggage until you need them, and get you off on time. The best man, often in tandem with the bridal party, decorates the “Just Married” mobile too.
Cash and Payments
There are lots of people to pay after a wedding: the officiant, the caterer, the florist, the dove wrangler, drivers; the list is endless. Generally, you give vendors a deposit when you book their services, but the balance is often expected on the big day. Give your best man a list, and signed checks or cash to handle these expenses, including tips.
First Toast and Speech
This is typically the most obvious job for a best man. He toasts the couple for the first time as man and wife, and usually gives a brief speech. Ideally, he should be comfortable talking in front of a crowd, even thought it’s OK if he isn’t; this might be a determining factor if you have multiple choices for a best man. He should be personable enough to make your guest comfortable, and able to hold their interest. He should also know which stories are off limits.
Delegating
The best man can (and should) use groomsmen and ushers to assist with tasks, if he needs to. Groomsmen can usually help plan the bachelor party and drive family members around, and ushers can hand out programs and escort people to their seats at the ceremony.
This seems like a lot of responsibility and it is, but being a best man is considered an honor. Most guys enjoy the idea of being your “wingman” and rise to the occasion, so don’t hesitate to ask for help because you’re going to need it!
This article was written exclusively for STL Weddings by Kim Hart Macneill who blogs for Groomsday, an online retailer of groomsmen’s gifts.
