While it is not a common occurrence, a child can be a best man at a wedding. The best man is usually the groom's closest friend or a male relative, but there are no set rules. A child can be the groom's son or younger brother, with an adult supporting them with the duties. The best man has several important duties, including attending the wedding rehearsal, supporting the groom on the wedding day, liaising with the ushers, looking after the wedding rings, signing the paperwork, and making a speech at the reception.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Age | 7-17 years old |
Relationship to groom | Son, younger brother |
Speech | Humorous and touching |
Duties | Support the groom, attend the rehearsal, ensure the groom gets to the church on time, liaise with ushers, look after the rings, sign paperwork, make a speech |
What You'll Learn
The best man's duties
While there are no set rules, the best man is usually the groom's closest friend or a dear relative like a brother, cousin, or son. The best man's duties can be broken down into three stages: pre-wedding, during the wedding, and post-wedding.
Pre-Wedding Duties
- Organise the bachelor party
- Assist with picking the suits
- Help the groom get ready for the ceremony
- Offer your services for any wedding planning duties
- Write and deliver a best man's speech
- Assist with outfit details
- Coordinate the groom's gift
- Provide emotional support
- Be present for the rehearsal
- Keep an eye on how the groom is coping
- Show the groom how excited you are for him
- Organise a gift from the groomsmen to the groom
- Do your homework on the guests
During the Wedding Duties
- Help set up the wedding
- Be the point person for the ushers
- Be organised and prepared
- Look after the groom the night before the wedding
- Help the groom get ready on the morning of his wedding
- Keep the rings safe and organise any ring bearers
- Get the party started (but don't get too drunk!)
- Greet the wedding guests
- Stand beside the groom at the altar
- Be the groom's right hand on the wedding day
- Be the time enforcer
- Sign the marriage license
- Act as an unofficial reception host
- Help collect gifts
- Give the best man's speech
Post-Wedding Duties
- Return the groomsmen outfits
- Decorate the getaway car
- Tie up loose ends after the reception
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The best man's speech
A child can certainly be a best man, and what a wonderful way to include them in your wedding! The best man's speech is a key part of the wedding reception, and a young best man can absolutely deliver a fantastic speech.
The speech is often the most nerve-wracking prospect of the role, but with a child best man, you can expect a unique and heartwarming take on the traditional best man's speech. It can be a good idea to have an adult support the child with their duties, and this adult can help the child prepare their speech.
The speech should be well-rehearsed, and the child should feel confident and comfortable with what they are going to say. The content can be light-hearted and fun, with a few jokes or humorous lines to engage the audience. The best man, no matter their age, should introduce themselves and thank the guests for coming. A child best man could then go on to share a few stories or memories of the groom, perhaps mentioning some of the groom's hobbies or things they enjoy doing together.
The best man should also acknowledge the bride and say a few words about her, perhaps sharing how happy she makes the groom and how well she fits in with the family. The child could then finish with a touching line about their love for the newlyweds and ask the guests to raise a glass to the happy couple.
"Hello everyone, for those who don't know me, I'm [name], and I'm the best man. I'm also a ladies' man! (Joke or funny line). I'm [relation] to the groom, and I'm so happy to be here today. I want to share a few words about [groom's name]. He is my superhero. He takes care of me, reads me stories, and teaches me new things. He's always there for me and can always make me laugh. He loves me, and I know he will be an amazing husband to [bride's name]. She is kind, silly, and we love having her as part of our family. I love you both, and I'm so happy to be here today. Please raise your glasses and join me in a toast to the happy couple!"
A child best man's speech will undoubtedly be a memorable part of the wedding and is a wonderful way to involve a young family member in the celebrations.
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The groom's choice
The best man has a number of important duties, including:
- Attending the wedding rehearsal
- Supporting the groom on the wedding day, helping him to arrive on time
- Liaising with the ushers to help the day run smoothly
- Looking after the wedding rings
- Signing the paperwork as a witness
- Making a speech at the reception
If the best man is a child, extra care should be taken to ensure they understand their duties and are comfortable with them. For example, if the child is too young to be trusted with the wedding rings, the best man could still play a symbolic role in the ceremony, with an adult taking care of the rings.
The best man can also be asked to take on additional tasks, such as reading from the Bible or being involved in prayers.
If the groom has a younger brother or son, it can be a wonderful way to include them in the wedding. It is important to ensure that the child is comfortable with public speaking, especially if they are expected to make a speech.
In some cultures, the best man has additional responsibilities, such as leading processions at the wedding and pre-wedding events, guiding the newlyweds in the ways of marriage, or entertaining the guests.
Ultimately, the groom's choice of best man is a personal decision and should be someone he feels comfortable with and who will support him on his wedding day.
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The child's age
While there are no set rules about who can be a best man, the child's age is an important consideration. A best man typically has several important duties, including organising a bachelor party, keeping the wedding rings safe, and signing the marriage certificate. A child may struggle with some of these tasks, so it is worth considering their age and maturity level when making your decision.
For example, a teenager may be able to handle more responsibilities than a younger child. They may be able to give a speech, help plan the bachelor party, and carry out other best man duties with support from an adult. On the other hand, younger children may need more assistance and supervision. They may still be able to participate as a best man, but it is important to ensure they are comfortable and capable of handling the responsibilities.
In some cases, the child's age may be a factor in how they are included in the wedding. For instance, a young child may be more suited to the role of a ring bearer or flower girl, while an older child could be a groomsman or even the best man. Ultimately, the decision should be made based on what is best for the child and what they are comfortable with.
It is also worth noting that cultural and regional traditions may play a role in the decision. For example, in some cultures, the best man is expected to be married and offer guidance to the newlyweds, which may not be suitable for a child. However, in other cultures, the best man has a more flexible role, and a child could be included in a way that is meaningful to the couple.
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Breaking tradition
Traditionally, the best man is the groom's closest friend or a male relative, such as a brother or cousin. However, there are no set rules, and sometimes a best man can be a young child, such as the groom's son or younger brother, with an adult supporting them with the duties.
If you're thinking of breaking with tradition and asking a child to be your best man, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, is the child old enough to handle the responsibilities of the role? While the best man's duties are only those of a friend, they can include organising a bachelor party, keeping the wedding rings safe, and signing the marriage certificate. If the child is very young, you may want to assign some of these tasks to another groomsman.
Another thing to consider is the speech. A best man is expected to make a speech at the wedding reception, which can be a daunting task for an adult, let alone a child. However, as seen in the example of Vincent, a 7-year-old best man, a child can deliver a touching and humorous speech that brings the audience to tears.
If you have a close relationship with a child and want to include them in your wedding, asking them to be your best man can be a wonderful way to do so. It's important to ensure that the child is comfortable with the responsibilities and that you have a supportive adult to help them on the day.
While it may be unconventional, choosing a child as your best man can add a unique and memorable touch to your wedding day. Ultimately, the decision is a personal one, and you should choose the person who is closest to you and will best support you on your special day.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, a child can be a best man. While the best man is usually the groom's closest friend or a male relative, there are no set rules.
The best man is the groom's right-hand man and chief assistant. They are in charge of planning and organizing the bachelor party, serving as a point of contact for the groom's side, and holding the wedding rings during the ceremony, among other tasks.
The best man usually helps the groom and groomsmen choose and rent or buy their formalwear.
The best man's speech is usually well-crafted and focuses on the newlyweds and their love story. It is also common for the best man to share touching and genuine words of appreciation for the groom.