The Best Man: An Indian Wedding Tradition Explored

Indian weddings are known for their extravagance, colour, and intricate rituals. They are considered a marriage of two families, with the entire community involved in the celebrations. Traditionally, Indian weddings do not include groomsmen, but modern weddings are increasingly adopting this Western tradition. The best man at an Indian wedding has a crucial role to play, ensuring everything runs smoothly and that the groom enjoys his special day. From music and drinks to food and outfits, the best man is responsible for keeping things on track. He must also be prepared for any eventualities and last-minute mishaps. Indian weddings can last several days, with multiple rituals and ceremonies, so the best man's role is indeed a challenging yet honourable one.

The best man ensures everything runs smoothly and according to plan

Indian weddings are known for being lavish and extravagant affairs, with many rituals and customs to abide by. The best man has a crucial role to play in ensuring the smooth running of the wedding and making sure the groom enjoys his special day. Here are some ways in which the best man ensures everything runs smoothly and according to plan:

Music and Entertainment

The best man should be well-coordinated with the DJ or musician to ensure the couple's favourite songs are played. Music and dancing are integral parts of Indian weddings, so the best man must ensure there is no disruption to the entertainment.

The Bar and Cocktails

The best man, being the one who knows the groom's drink preferences, should work closely with the bartender to ensure the right cocktails are served. Since not everyone drinks alcohol, the best man should also ensure the bartender can prepare bespoke cocktails for teetotalers. It is also the best man's responsibility to ensure the groom does not overindulge in alcohol.

Food and Catering

Food is one of the highlights of an Indian wedding, so the best man must be involved in deciding the menu and selecting caterers. Knowing the couple's favourite dishes is essential, and the best man should ensure that the caterers are innovative enough so that no guest leaves hungry.

Groom's Outfit and Appearance

The best man assists the groom in selecting his wedding outfit and ensuring it is colour-coordinated with the groomsmen's outfits. The groom's outfit should be comfortable, and the best man should help the groom prepare it several days in advance to avoid any last-minute issues. The best man should also remind the groom to take care of his hair, beard, and teeth for the wedding photos and videos.

Timing and Coordination

The best man is responsible for keeping the groom's squad together and ensuring everyone arrives at the venue on time. He should send reminders to the groomsmen and follow up with them as the departure time approaches.

Problem-Solving and Preparedness

The best man should be prepared for any eventualities and have solutions for uncommon problems, such as a wardrobe malfunction or a sudden migraine. Having items like aspirin on hand can help resolve minor issues. The best man should also brief the other groomsmen to be alert and proactive on the wedding day.

Guest Management

The best man, along with the groomsmen, plays a crucial role in guest management. They should guide guests to their seating and ensure the wedding runs on time. Arriving early and offering to help with any last-minute arrangements can be appreciated.

Bachelor Party and Gifts

The best man is typically responsible for planning the bachelor party, ensuring it is well in advance of the wedding. Indian weddings involve multiple pre-wedding events, so careful planning is necessary. The best man may also assist the groom in selecting gifts for the important members of the bride's family, including parents, siblings, and grandparents.

In conclusion, the best man has a vital role in an Indian wedding, ensuring the groom's enjoyment and a smoothly run celebration. By taking care of various responsibilities and being prepared for any challenges, the best man contributes to the success of the wedding and creates lasting memories for the couple and their families.

The best man is responsible for music and drinks

The Best Man's Role in an Indian Wedding

Indian weddings are known for their extravagance and colour, with a multitude of rituals and customs to be observed. The wedding is seen as a joining of two families, and the celebrations can last from three days to a week.

The best man at an Indian wedding has a crucial role to play, and is often considered the "heartbeat" of the event. It is his job to ensure everything runs smoothly, and that the groom enjoys his day.

Music and Drinks

Music and drinks are two key components of a successful Indian wedding. The best man must know the DJ and ensure they have a list of the bride and groom's favourite songs, as Indian weddings are not complete without music and dancing. The best man must also work with the bartender to ensure the right cocktails are served, bearing in mind that not everyone drinks alcohol. It is also his responsibility to ensure the groom does not drink too much.

Other Responsibilities

The best man must also assist the groom with selecting his wedding outfit, and ensure the groom's squad are colour-coordinated and arrive at the venue together. He must also be prepared for any eventualities, such as wardrobe malfunctions or last-minute jitters. The best man may also be expected to give a speech, and it is his job to keep the wedding rings safe.

Groomsmen

The groomsmen, usually the groom's closest male friends and relatives, also play an important role. They are expected to be active in all pre-wedding festivities and to add positive energy to the wedding. They may also be asked to speak at the rehearsal dinner, and to help with guest transportation and vendor management.

The best man coordinates the groom's outfit and ensures he stands out

Indian weddings are known for being lavish and extravagant, with many rituals and traditions. The wedding itself can last anywhere from three days to around a week and is considered a marriage of two families, rather than just a marriage of the bride and groom.

The best man at an Indian wedding has a crucial role to play in the lead-up to and during the wedding. As the heartbeat of the wedding, everything revolves around him. One of his primary roles is to ensure the groom's outfit is coordinated and that he stands out.

Indian grooms traditionally wear a long jacket called a Sherwani and fitted trousers called Churidars. On his head, he wears a Safa, a turban, often with a big fancy brooch called a Kalgi pinned to it. The groom's outfit can also include a dupatta, and sometimes a turban and kalgi. With so many elements, the outfit requires careful planning and coordination to ensure nothing is missing, and it looks complete.

The best man must assist the groom in selecting his wedding outfit and ensuring that he and the groomsmen are colour-coordinated. The rule of thumb is simple: the groom comes first, the groomsmen come second. The best man should also ensure the groom is comfortable in his outfit, as he will need to be on his feet during the 'baraat', a processional dance where the groom's family and friends greet the bride's family.

Additionally, the best man should advise the groom to try on his outfit in advance to ensure it fits well and is not itchy or poorly fitted. This is especially important as Indian weddings often involve sitting on the floor, so the outfit should allow for comfortable cross-legged sitting.

The best man plays a vital role in ensuring the groom enjoys his special day and that everything runs smoothly. By assisting the groom with his outfit selection and coordination, the best man helps to reduce the groom's stress and ensures he stands out on his wedding day.

The best man must be prepared for any eventualities

Indian weddings are known for their extravagance and many rituals and customs to abide by. The best man at an Indian wedding has a crucial role to play, and must be prepared for any eventuality.

Firstly, the best man must ensure everything runs smoothly, allowing the groom to relax and enjoy his day. With Indian weddings often spanning several days, the best man must be on hand to troubleshoot and ensure the groom's comfort. This could include having aspirin on hand for a sudden migraine, or being ready for any wardrobe malfunctions.

Secondly, the best man is responsible for coordinating with the DJ and ensuring they have a list of the bride and groom's favourite songs. Music and dancing are integral to Indian weddings, so this is an important task.

Thirdly, the best man must work with the bartender to select the right cocktails for the couple and their guests. It is also his role to prevent the groom from overindulging in alcohol.

Fourthly, the best man should know what food will be served and select caterers who can provide innovative dishes to ensure all guests are satisfied. Food is one of the highlights of an Indian wedding, so this is a key responsibility.

Fifthly, the best man must assist the groom in selecting his wedding outfit and ensure the groom's squad is colour-coordinated. The groom must stand out, and the best man should help him achieve this.

Sixth, the best man should keep track of the groom's squad and ensure they all arrive at the venue together. He should send reminders and follow up with them as the departure time gets closer.

Seventh, the best man may be expected to give a speech at the reception, and possibly at the rehearsal dinner.

Eighth, the best man should be prepared to assist with gift exchanges between the families of the bride and groom. This is a common tradition in Indian weddings, and the best man can help the groom select and prepare these gifts.

Ninth, the best man should be ready to step in and help with any other tasks that may arise, such as guiding guests to their seats or helping with set-up.

In summary, the best man at an Indian wedding has a vital role to play and must be prepared for any eventuality to ensure a smooth and enjoyable celebration for the groom and all guests.

The best man must give a speech at the reception

Indian weddings are known for their extravagance, colour, and music, and the best man has a crucial role to play in ensuring the groom's special day runs smoothly. While the best man at an Indian wedding has many responsibilities, one of the most important is giving a speech at the reception.

The Best Man's Speech

The best man's speech is a chance to share fun anecdotes about the groom, offer heartfelt congratulations, and generally get the party started. It's a chance to celebrate the groom's journey to this moment and welcome his new spouse into the family. The speech is also an opportunity to thank the guests for attending, particularly those who have travelled far for the occasion.

Planning the Speech

The best man should prepare their speech in advance, ensuring it is light-hearted, fun, and heart-warming. It's important to strike the right tone and not cause any offence, particularly as Indian weddings are a blend of religious and cultural traditions. The best man might want to include a few words in the local language, especially if many of the guests are elders.

Timing is Key

Indian weddings can span several days, so the best man must be mindful of timing when it comes to the speech. It's important to ensure the speech doesn't interrupt any rituals or traditions and that it is delivered when the guests are seated and ready to listen.

Toasting the Couple

As well as delivering a speech, the best man may also be expected to propose a toast to the happy couple. This is a way to honour the newlyweds and wish them a prosperous future together. The best man should ensure there is enough champagne or sparkling wine for all the guests to join in the toast.

A Memorable Moment

The best man's speech is a highlight of the reception, and it's a moment that will be remembered for years to come. It's a chance to celebrate the union of two people and two families and to create lasting memories.

Frequently asked questions