Who Stands With The Groom? Best Man's Position Explored

The best man is the groom's right-hand man and typically stands beside him at the altar during the wedding ceremony. The best man is usually a close friend or relative of the groom, and it is considered an honour to be selected for this role. The best man is responsible for a variety of tasks, including planning the bachelor party, giving a speech at the reception, and keeping the wedding rings safe until they are needed. He also acts as the groom's confidant and provides emotional support throughout the wedding planning process. During the wedding, the best man welcomes guests, ensures the groom and groomsmen are on schedule, and may even be asked to hold the groom's personal items such as their phone or wallet.

The best man stands next to the groom at the altar

The best man is the groom's right-hand man and closest confidant throughout the wedding planning process and on the big day itself. He is usually a close friend or relative of the groom, often a sibling or best friend, and is chosen for his reliability and supportive nature.

On the wedding day, the best man has a number of important duties to perform. One of the most well-known is giving the best man's speech during the reception. He also has a key role in the wedding ceremony itself, standing next to the groom at the altar, with the maid of honour, officiant, and bride forming the rest of the altar party.

Before the ceremony begins, the groom and best man take their places on the front right-hand side of the room at the altar. If the best man is the ring bearer, he will have the rings to hand, ready for when the couple exchanges them. If not, he ensures that the ring bearer has them.

During the processional, the best man traditionally walks down the aisle after the groom. At a Jewish wedding, the best man enters right before the groom. The best man then takes his place standing closest to the groom at the altar, with the rest of the groomsmen lining up alongside.

After the ceremony, the best man and maid of honour typically exit side by side. They may also be expected to stand in the receiving line at the wedding reception, greeting guests as key members of the wedding party.

The best man is the groom's right-hand man

The best man is the leader of the groomsmen and is responsible for coordinating their activities and duties. He is also in charge of helping the groom choose and purchase or rent their wedding formalwear.

On the wedding day, the best man is the groom's personal aide and adviser. This includes helping the groom get ready, delivering a letter to his spouse, and making sure the groom eats and drinks. The best man also holds on to the groom's phone and helps to calm any pre-wedding jitters.

One of the best man's most important duties is to keep the wedding rings safe until they are needed during the ceremony. He may also be responsible for holding on to the groom's personal items, such as his phone or wallet.

During the ceremony, the best man traditionally stands next to the groom, slightly behind him. This means that the people present at the altar are the officiant, the bride, the groom, and the best man. After the ceremony, the best man signs the marriage license as a witness.

In addition to these specific duties, the best man is also there to provide emotional support to the groom throughout the wedding planning process. He is the groom's confidant and sounding board for any nerves or anxiety he may be feeling.

The best man delivers a speech at the reception

The best man's speech is one of the highlights of a wedding. It is the best man's opportunity to say some kind words about his relationship with the couple and the groom, his best friend. While the speech should be quick and lighthearted, it does require some thoughtful preparation. Here are some tips to help you deliver an incredible best man speech:

Know Your Role

The best man is the groom's right-hand man and chief assistant at the wedding. He is usually a close friend or relative of the groom, chosen to support and assist the groom in any way possible before and during the wedding. The best man is also in charge of the groomsmen, leading all communication and spearheading their activities and duties.

Prepare Your Speech

The best man's speech traditionally follows the groom's speech and may come after the maid of honour's toast. It is meant to be quick, lasting about 5-10 minutes, and lighthearted. While you should put effort into crafting thoughtful words, don't overthink it. Focus on the couple and your relationship with them, rather than making the speech all about yourself and your friendship with the groom. Include some kind words about the bride and groom's relationship and how happy they make each other. You can also add some humour to your speech, but be careful not to embarrass the couple or make jokes at their expense.

Practice and Rehearse

Practise your speech ahead of time to ensure you are comfortable and confident on the day. You don't need to memorise every word, but it is important to know the key points you want to make. Practise your body language and eye contact, and consider getting feedback from a trusted friend.

Timing and Delivery

The best man's speech is traditionally delivered during the wedding reception. However, in some cases, it may be scheduled for the rehearsal dinner instead. As the last speaker, make sure your speech is concise and engaging, especially if the guests have been sitting through multiple speeches.

Other Responsibilities

In addition to delivering a speech, the best man has several other responsibilities before, during, and after the wedding. These include choosing and buying/renting wedding attire, planning the bachelor party, keeping the wedding rings safe, standing next to the groom during the ceremony, acting as a legal witness, and decorating the getaway car.

The best man is in charge of the groomsmen

The best man is the leader of the pack, the head groomsman, and the groom's right-hand man. He is in charge of the groomsmen, leading all communication and spearheading their activities and duties. He is the point of contact for everyone on the groom's side, including the groomsmen and family members.

The best man is the person the groomsmen can go to with any questions or concerns, so the groom doesn't have to be bothered with the nitty-gritty details. He is also in charge of keeping the groomsmen on track with their duties and making sure they are performing them.

The best man is responsible for helping the groom choose and rent or buy wedding formalwear, as well as coordinating the groomsmen's ensembles. This might include gathering everyone's measurements, giving the group an order-by deadline, or even placing the order himself.

The best man is also in charge of planning and organising the bachelor party, although the other groomsmen will chip in and help out with logistics and offer recommendations.

On the wedding day, the best man is responsible for keeping the groom and groomsmen on schedule, ensuring everyone gets to the venue on time. He also helps to wrangle the groomsmen during the ceremony, making sure everyone is in the right place at the right time.

The best man is often entrusted with holding the wedding rings for safekeeping before and during the ceremony. He may also be asked to hold the couple's personal items, such as their phones or money.

The best man is also expected to greet the guests with the groom and help create a warm and inviting atmosphere before the ceremony. As he likely knows a large portion of the guests, he is the perfect candidate to help welcome them.

The best man is also responsible for giving a speech during the reception. This is probably his most famous task and is a key point of the reception, typically done right after the maid of honour's speech.

The best man keeps the wedding rings safe

It is traditional for the best man to stand with the groom at the wedding ceremony, and one of his most important duties is to ensure the safety of the wedding rings. Keeping the rings secure is a huge responsibility, and it is essential that the best man is organized and prepared for this task.

The best man should keep the rings on his person at all times, preferably in a safe and secure container. A ring box is a traditional option, but a pocket or small bag can also be used, as long as the rings are not at risk of falling out or being lost. It is a good idea for the best man to keep the rings with him at all times, even during the reception, to avoid any last-minute panics. If he is worried about misplacing them, he could consider keeping them in a secure pocket or wearing a suit with an inside pocket, so the rings are always within reach and never left unattended.

In the lead-up to the wedding, the best man should also be aware of the rings' location and their safety. He should confirm with the groom when and where he will collect the rings and ensure that they are securely transported to the wedding venue. It is also a good idea for the best man to have a back-up plan in case of any last-minute issues. For example, he could ask the groom to text a photo of the rings to confirm they are the correct bands and that they have not been forgotten.

On the day of the wedding, the best man should be mindful of the rings during the ceremony. He should ensure that he is standing in the correct position, usually next to the groom, and be ready to produce the rings at the appropriate time. A discreet cue from the best man to the groom can also be a good reminder for the groom to be ready for the ring exchange. Ultimately, the best man's role is to ensure the rings are kept safe and that this part of the ceremony runs smoothly.

Frequently asked questions