While it is traditional for a groom to have a single best man by his side on his wedding day, modern grooms are increasingly opting to have two or more best men. This can be a great way to honour multiple friends or family members and ensure the groom has a strong support system in place. Having multiple best men can also help to alleviate the stress and responsibilities of the role, with duties divided between the best men. However, it can be a challenge to decide who will give the best man speech and how to divide other responsibilities. Ultimately, it is the groom's decision and there is no right or wrong answer.
What You'll Learn
It's your wedding, so do what makes you happy
If you're a groom struggling to choose just one best man, then the good news is that you don't have to. It's becoming more common for grooms to have more than one best man, and it's perfectly acceptable from an etiquette standpoint. This way, you can honour multiple important people in your life and ensure you have a strong support system in place. Having more than one best man can also help to alleviate some of the stress and responsibilities that come with the role, as they can work together to ensure everything runs smoothly.
One of the main benefits of having multiple best men is that you don't have to choose between your closest friends or family members. This can be a great way to recognise and honour those you love, rather than following strict tradition. It's your wedding, so feel free to put your own spin on it. However, for ease of planning, it's recommended to have no more than two or three best men, to ensure the title remains emotionally valuable.
If you do decide to have multiple best men, it's important to have clear communication and make sure everyone is on the same page. Decide how you want to divide pre-wedding responsibilities, day-of tasks, and attire. For example, you could have one best man in charge of the bachelor party and another in charge of the wedding rehearsal. On the day, tasks could include keeping an eye on the timeline, carrying the rings, signing the marriage certificate, and giving a toast.
Ultimately, it's your wedding, so do what makes you happy. If having more than one best man will bring you joy and support, then go for it!
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There are no hard-and-fast rules
Having more than one best man can be a great way to ensure you have a strong support system in place in the lead-up to and on the day of your wedding. It can also help to alleviate some of the stress and responsibilities that come with the role of the best man, as they can be divided between two or more people. This can be especially helpful if you have a large wedding party, as it will ensure that there is enough support for everyone.
One of the main benefits of having multiple best men is that you don't have to choose between important people in your life, and you can avoid hurting anyone's feelings. This can be a difficult decision, especially if you have a close group of friends or family members that you want to include. By having multiple best men, you can honour more than one person and show how much they mean to you.
If you do decide to have more than one best man, it's important to communicate clearly and make sure that everyone is aware of their responsibilities. It's also a good idea to decide ahead of time who will give the best man speech, as this is one of the most coveted best man duties. You may also want to consider how you will distinguish them in the wedding programme and how they will be referred to. Some couples choose to have them all wear the same suit or tuxedo, while others opt for different suits that match the wedding colour scheme.
Overall, the decision of how many best men to have is entirely up to you and your partner. Don't be afraid to break away from traditional customs and make your wedding unique and memorable.
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You can divide pre-wedding responsibilities
While traditionally, grooms have only one best man, it has become more common for grooms to have multiple best men. This can be a great way to honour more than one person and provide additional support in the lead-up to and on the wedding day.
If a groom has multiple best men, it is essential to divide the pre-wedding responsibilities clearly to ensure everything runs smoothly. Here are some ways the best men can divide their duties:
Planning the Bachelor Party:
One of the best man's traditional duties is to plan the bachelor party. With multiple best men, one person can take the lead on this task, consulting with the groom and recruiting the other best men and groomsmen to help.
Handling Pre-Wedding Logistics and Communication:
The best man often acts as the point of contact and coordinator for the groom's side of the wedding party, including the groomsmen and family members. With multiple best men, they can share this duty, ensuring everyone is on the same page and has the information they need.
Organising the Groom's Attire:
The best man usually helps the groom choose and coordinate his wedding attire and that of the groomsmen. Multiple best men can divide this task by assisting with different aspects, such as gathering measurements, ordering the outfits, and ensuring timely delivery and alterations.
Managing the Wedding Rings:
One of the most important duties of the best man is to keep the wedding rings safe until the exchange of vows. With multiple best men, they can take turns ensuring the rings are secure and presenting them during the ceremony.
Financial Responsibilities:
The best man often coordinates the purchase of a gift for the groom from the groomsmen. With multiple best men, they can share this duty, collecting money and choosing a gift that reflects the group.
Providing Emotional Support:
A crucial role of the best man is to provide a listening ear and emotional support to the groom throughout the wedding planning process. Multiple best men can take turns being available for the groom, offering reassurance, and helping to ease any pre-wedding jitters.
By dividing these pre-wedding responsibilities, multiple best men can ensure that all tasks are covered and that the groom receives ample support and assistance in the lead-up to his big day.
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They can wear the same thing
Having multiple best men can be a great way to honour more than one person and provide additional support on your wedding day. It's becoming more and more popular for grooms to have two or more best men, breaking away from the traditional customs of weddings.
When it comes to attire, it is common for the best men to wear the same suit or tuxedo as each other and the groomsmen. This can help to distinguish the best men from the rest of the wedding party and create a unified look. It's important to ensure that everyone is aware of the dress code and that their outfits are coordinated and match the colour scheme of the wedding.
For example, if the groom chooses to have his best men wear different suits, they can still match the colour scheme and style of the wedding. The best men can also help with selecting and coordinating the attire for the groomsmen, ensuring everyone looks their best and has their suits fitted by a tailor prior to the wedding.
Having the best men wear the same outfit can also help to create a sense of unity and camaraderie among them, emphasising that they all share the same important role of supporting the groom on his special day. It can also make it easier for guests to identify the best men, especially if they are unfamiliar with the wedding party.
Additionally, wearing the same outfit can help to streamline the planning process for the best men, as they won't have to worry about coordinating different outfits or standing out from each other. It creates a cohesive look that can be elegant and classic, and it also eliminates the potential stress of deciding who will wear what.
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You can also divide day-of tasks
Having multiple best men can be a great way to honour more than one person and provide additional support on the wedding day. However, it's important to communicate clearly and make sure that everyone is aware of their responsibilities.
The big wedding day tasks for the best men typically include keeping an eye on the timeline while the guys get ready, carrying the rings, signing the marriage certificate as a witness, and giving a toast. These tasks can be divided among the best men, or some can be delegated to other groomsmen or family members.
For example, one best man can be in charge of the bachelor party, while the other can handle the wedding rehearsal. On the wedding day, one best man can be responsible for ensuring the groom is ready on time, while the other can keep the wedding rings safe.
To ensure smooth coordination, it's essential to have clear and constant communication among the best men and the groom. It may be helpful to create a group chat to facilitate planning and decision-making as a team.
Additionally, the groom can decide how to distinguish the best men, whether it's through attire, boutonnières, or other creative ways. Ultimately, the most important consideration is to do what makes the groom happy and comfortable on his special day.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, a groom can have more than one best man. It is your wedding, so you can choose who stands by you and supports you as you make your way to the altar.
Having multiple best men means you don't have to choose between important people in your life, and their duties can be split up between them.
It can be difficult to decide who will give the best man speech, and how to divide up the responsibilities. It may also cause conflict or confusion between the best men themselves, or with guests and vendors.