How to Be the Best Best Man
Being the best man is not just about standing next to the groom on his wedding day. You’ll be assigned specific responsibilities, like being his confidante right from the wedding planning to sending him off to his honeymoon. So, 5-Minute Crafts brings you a step-by-step guide to make the best man-ing easy for you.
During the planning process:
1. Lead the pack.
After the wedding date and venue are set, when you’re officially declared the best man, it is your duty to introduce the groomsmen. If everyone lives nearby, plan up a meet somewhere and get acquainted. If everyone lives far away, you can host a video call or an email chain to get acquainted.
2. Help the groom in the shopping process.
The best man helps the groom select the wedding formal wear and coordinate the groomsmen’s outfits. According to the groom’s budget, you can choose to rent or buy the ensemble. You can also get creative with the groomsmen outfits by choosing a theme as shown above.
- The best man is also responsible for giving the groom moral support when choosing a ring.
3. Organize a bachelor party.
It’s your responsibility to plan a bachelor party with the other groomsmen. Ask the groom what kind of party he wants. Whether he wants a night at a local club or a vacation week in the suburbs, whatever he has in mind, you have to make it come true. Discuss it with the other groomsmen, assign duties, consider the budget, and split everything evenly among everyone to have a successful bachelor party.
4. Attend all the pre-wedding events.
The rehearsal dinner, rehearsal ceremony, or even the engagement party, the best man has to be present at all times. It also gives you a chance to catch up with the rest of the guests who will show up on the big day. You may also have to prepare a small toast during the rehearsal dinner to mark the start of the festivities.
5. Prepare the groom’s emergency kit before the wedding.
No wedding is complete without last-minute emergencies. So, as the best man, you must have the groom’s emergency kit ready a few days before the wedding. Don’t forget to carry extra deodorant, a sewing kit, and extra pairs of socks.
Other understated duties to follow before the wedding:
During the ceremony:
1. Get ready with the groom and the groomsmen.
The best man should get ready with the other groomsmen and must be the most relaxed one in the room. If the groom is getting cold feet, be a supportive friend and keep him calm by playing his favorite music. Also, you need to make sure that the groom and groomsmen arrive at the wedding venue on time.
2. Check that all the groomsmen are wearing their boutonnieres.
Before heading down the aisle, make sure that every groomsman has pinned their boutonnieres properly.
3. Hold the wedding rings till the exchange of the vows.
If the wedding has no ring bearer, then it’s the best man’s responsibility to hold the rings till the couple exchanges rings. Make sure to keep the rings in a safe place, and if you’re keeping them in your inner jacket pocket, make sure it doesn’t have a hole in it.
4. Be a witness and stand next to the groom.
Some couples sign their marriage license before the ceremony, some sign it after the ceremony. Whichever the case, two witnesses are typically required. The best man must be present as a witness for the groom and the maid of honor as the witness for the bride.
Other understated duties during the ceremony and after the wedding:
What NOT to do as the best man
1. Don’t ask if the groom needs help.
The prime duty of the best man is to be the groom’s right hand at his wedding and life. Instead of just asking if you could help, take the initiative yourself by lending a hand.
2. Don’t add embarrassing bits to the speech.
Keep the shenanigans and previous relationship stories out of the picture. The main idea is to add a funny story or two to the speech and keep it kind.