Who Can Be Best Man? Minor Best Man Explained

The best man is the groom's right-hand man and is responsible for supporting the groom during the wedding planning process and on the big day. While there are no rules, the best man is typically an adult male close friend or relative of the groom. However, in some cases, a minor, such as the groom's son, may be chosen as the best man. If you are considering having a minor as your best man, there are a few things to keep in mind, including their level of understanding and their ability to perform the associated duties and responsibilities.

Best man's duties

While there are no set rules on who can be the best man, this role is often given to a groom's brother, close relative, or best friend. The best man is the groom's right-hand man and go-to confidante, and is responsible for providing support and assistance before, during, and after the wedding.

Before the Wedding

• Lead the groomsmen: The best man is the leader of the groomsmen and is responsible for introducing everyone, especially if they don't know each other.
• Shop for formalwear: The best man helps the groom choose the wedding formalwear and coordinates the groomsmen's ensembles, including gathering measurements, setting order deadlines, and placing the orders.
• Serve as a counselor: Wedding planning can be stressful, so the best man should be a supportive friend and help the groom with decision-making and problem-solving.
• Coordinate travel: The best man ensures that all the groomsmen book their flights and accommodations on time, and may even help pair them up to share rooms or rental cars to save money.
• Plan the bachelor party: The best man organizes the bachelor party with the help of the groomsmen, taking into account the groom's preferences and everyone's schedules and budgets.
• Attend pre-wedding events: The best man should attend the engagement party, rehearsal, and rehearsal dinner.
• Provide moral support during ring selection: Even before being officially asked to be the best man, the best man may be called upon to help the groom choose an engagement ring.

During the Wedding

• Get dressed with the groom and groomsmen: The best man should be a relaxed and upbeat presence on the morning of the wedding, helping to keep the atmosphere positive and calm.
• Ensure groomsmen wear boutonnieres: The best man makes sure that all the groomsmen have their boutonnieres pinned on properly before walking down the aisle.
• Keep things on schedule: The best man works with the couple's timeline to ensure that everything stays on track throughout the day.
• Hold the wedding rings: The best man is responsible for keeping the wedding rings safe until it's time for the couple to exchange vows.
• Stand next to the groom: The best man traditionally walks down the aisle after the groom and stands next to him during the ceremony, displaying his love and support.
• Sign the marriage license: The best man and maid of honor usually act as witnesses and sign the marriage license.
• Pose for pictures: The best man should be prepared to smile for the camera and participate in wedding party portraits.

After the Wedding

• Stand next to the bride in the receiving line: During cocktail hour, the best man may stand with the bride and groom to greet arriving guests.
• Be announced with the maid of honor: At the reception entrance, the best man usually enters alongside the maid of honor.
• Dance with the maid of honor: During the first guest dance, the best man traditionally dances with the maid of honor.
• Ensure the groom eats and drinks: The best man should make sure the groom stays hydrated and has something to eat during the busy wedding day.
• Give a speech: The best man typically gives a toast, sharing a well-crafted speech that focuses on the newlyweds and their love story.
• Decorate the getaway car: The best man and groomsmen traditionally have fun decorating the couple's car for their exit.
• Organize and safe-keep gifts: The best man helps collect and organize the wedding gifts, ensuring they are kept in a safe location until the couple returns from their honeymoon.
• Hand out vendor tips: The best man may be asked to distribute tips to the vendors after the reception, ensuring that the cash is organized into labeled envelopes.
• Ensure groomsmen return rented attire: If the groomsmen rented their attire, the best man coordinates the timely return of the tuxedos.

In addition to these duties, the best man should also be prepared to step in and help with any unexpected tasks or issues that may arise throughout the wedding process.

Best man requirements

While there are no strict requirements for who can be a best man at a wedding, the role does come with a lot of responsibilities. The best man is the groom's right-hand man and is usually a close friend or relative. The best man is in charge of the groomsmen and is responsible for leading and mediating between the groom and the rest of the group.

• The best man must be old enough to understand the role and its duties. While there is no set age limit, the role typically requires someone who is at least 18 years old due to the nature of the tasks involved.
• The best man should not have any other duties at the ceremony or reception that may conflict with their responsibilities to the groom.
• The best man should be aware of the honour and importance of the role, representing both the groom's and bride's families.
• The best man is expected to be the groom's confidante, personal valet, and logistics guru for pre-wedding events and day-of details.
• The best man is typically in charge of planning the bachelor party and may also be involved in other pre-wedding celebrations.
• The best man usually helps the groom choose and coordinate wedding formalwear for himself and the groomsmen.
• On the wedding day, the best man acts as the groom's personal aide and adviser, ensuring he is ready for the ceremony and has everything he needs.
• The best man traditionally walks down the aisle after the groom and stands next to him during the ceremony.
• The best man is responsible for keeping the wedding rings safe until they are exchanged during the vows.
• The best man signs the marriage license as a witness, along with the maid of honour, and hands the officiant their fee.
• The best man usually gives a speech during the reception, toasting the newlyweds.
• The best man may also be involved in decorating the getaway car and tying up loose ends after the reception, such as tipping vendors and transporting gifts.

Best man age requirements

While there are no specific age requirements for a best man, the role does come with a lot of responsibilities. It is up to the best man to support the groom during the wedding planning process and on the big day. The best man is also in charge of the groomsmen, leading all communication and spearheading their activities and duties.

The best man is typically a close friend or relative of the groom. The groom usually chooses one of his groomsmen to be the best man. The best man is expected to be the groom's right-hand man and to assist in any way possible before and during the wedding.

There are no strict age requirements for a best man, but it is important that the person is old enough to understand the responsibilities and duties that come with the role. In some jurisdictions, the law requires the best man to be an adult. This is to ensure that the best man is capable of carrying out the necessary tasks and providing the necessary support to the groom.

If the groom wishes to have his son as the best man, it is essential to consider the age and maturity of the child. The son must be old enough to understand the significance of the role and the responsibilities that come with it. It is also crucial to ensure that the son does not have any other duties at the ceremony or reception that may interfere with his role as the best man.

Ultimately, the decision of who to choose as the best man is a personal one for the groom. While there are no specific age requirements, it is important to consider the maturity and ability of the person to fulfil the duties and provide the necessary support to the groom.

Best man speech

While it is possible for a minor to be a best man at a wedding, it is not a usual occurrence. If you are a minor who has been asked to be a best man, you will likely need to have a stand-in for some of the more adult responsibilities, such as planning the stag party.

Now, onto the speech. Being asked to be the best man is a tremendous honour, but it also comes with a lot of responsibility. One of your main duties will be to give a speech at the wedding reception. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you write and deliver an unforgettable best man speech.

Preparation

First things first: do not leave writing your speech until the morning of the wedding. Preparation is key. You might want to start by crafting an outline of what you want to say. This could be as simple as jotting down the main points you want to cover.

Tone

The tone of your speech will depend on the formality of the wedding. If it's a laid-back beach wedding, your speech can be light-hearted and filled with jokes. If it's a black-tie event, you might want to go for a classier tone. The tone will also depend on the guests. If it's a small crowd of close friends and family, you can take a more casual approach than you would with a larger group of people, which may include the couple's colleagues and distant relatives.

Content

Your speech should focus on congratulating the newlyweds and expressing your love for them as a couple. While you might have endless funny stories about the groom, it's important to make the couple as a whole the centre of attention. A great way to do this is by sharing a story about how they met, or a sweet anecdote from when the groom told you he had found "the one".

Length

As a general rule, best man speeches should be around 3 to 5 minutes long. This is enough time to cover the essentials and tell a few great stories without losing the audience's attention.

Topics to Avoid

Remember to keep your speech classy and appropriate for all ages. Avoid super personal or embarrassing stories, controversial topics such as religion or politics, and references to ex-partners. Inside jokes are best avoided, too, as you want your speech to be inclusive and engaging for the whole room.

Rehearsal

Practise your speech ahead of time. Say it in front of a mirror, or in front of a few friends. You might also want to memorise it, rather than reading it off your phone or notecards, as this will help you appear more present in the moment and make your delivery feel more natural.

Body Language

Your body language is just as important as the words you say. During your speech, remember to:

• Smile
• Stand up straight
• Make eye contact with different members of the audience
• Use hand gestures

Example Speech Outline

To help you craft your speech, here is a simple template that covers all the key points:

• Introduce yourself with a funny one-liner, a heartfelt quote, or a fun fact about you and the couple.
• Tell a crowd-pleasing joke. This will break the ice and keep the mood light-hearted.
• Share 1-3 personal anecdotes about the groom, and/or the couple.
• Express your heartfelt sentiments. Dig deep and talk about how special the groom is to you, and how happy you are for them.
• Congratulate the newlyweds and wish them luck for the future.
• Close with a toast, inviting the audience to raise their glasses to the happy couple.

Good luck!

Best man selection

The role of the best man is to be the groom's go-to confidante, personal valet, and logistics guru for pre-wedding events and day-of details. The best man is the groom's right-hand man and is usually a close friend or relative. The groom can ask his brother, father, son, or any other male friend or relative to be his best man. However, in recent times, it has become acceptable for women to take on the role of best (wo)man.

There are no rules regarding the number of best men, and it is not uncommon for a groom to have two best men. The best man is typically in charge of the groomsmen and leads all communication and activities. It is important to note that the best man should not have any other duties at the ceremony or reception.

• Availability: Ensure that your chosen best man is available and able to commit to the role's responsibilities.
• Age: While there is no minimum age requirement, it is generally assumed that the best man should be an adult. If you want your underage son to be your best man, consider choosing another groomsman, such as a brother or close friend, to stand in for him.
• Responsibilities: The best man has several duties before, during, and after the wedding. These include planning the bachelor party, attending pre-wedding events, giving a speech, and assisting the groom on the wedding day. Ensure that your chosen best man is capable of handling these responsibilities.
• Relationship: The best man should be someone the groom trusts and feels comfortable with. It is essential to select someone who will provide support and assistance throughout the entire process.
• Legal Requirements: In some jurisdictions, the best man must be an adult, and there may be separate legal requirements for marriage licenses. Ensure that you are aware of any legal requirements in your area.

Remember, the most important factor in selecting a best man is choosing someone who will be reliable, supportive, and able to fulfill the duties and responsibilities that come with the role.

Frequently asked questions