Best Man's Guide: Roles And Responsibilities

Being the best man at a wedding is a huge honour, but it also comes with a lot of responsibilities. The best man is the groom's right-hand man, and is in charge of the groomsmen, meaning he leads all communication and spearheads most of their activities and duties. The best man is the groom's go-to confidante, personal valet and logistics guru for pre-wedding events and day-of details. He helps the groom with everything from choosing his outfit to planning the bachelor party, and is there to provide support and assistance on the day itself.

Organise the bachelor party

Organising the bachelor party is one of the best man's most important duties. It's a chance to celebrate the groom's last days as a single man, so it's important to make it a night to remember. Here are some tips to help you organise an awesome bachelor party:

Planning and Preparation:

Start planning several months in advance. Pick a date that works for the groom and the rest of the groomsmen. Consider everyone's budget and try to pick a location that is convenient for everyone. You can set up a group chat to make communication easier and ensure everyone is on the same page.

Involving the Groom:

Consult the groom to plan a party that aligns with his interests and wishes. Ask him for a guest list and try to accommodate as many of his preferences as possible.

Budget and Logistics:

Discuss budget considerations with the groom and other groomsmen. The cost of the bachelor party should be split evenly among the attendees, except for the groom, whose expenses are usually covered. If you're planning a trip, book flights and accommodation in advance to get better deals.

Making it Memorable:

Whether it's a local whiskey distillery or a weekend getaway, make sure the groom has an unforgettable time. You can personalise the party with games, pranks (nothing too extreme!), and other fun activities.

Timing:

Try to organise the bachelor party at least a month before the wedding. This gives everyone time to recover and ensures they look and feel their best on the wedding day.

Remember, as the best man, you are responsible for leading the planning process, but don't hesitate to enlist the help of the other groomsmen with logistics and recommendations. It's also important to keep the groom's preferences in mind throughout the planning process to create a memorable and enjoyable experience for him.

Be the groom's right-hand man

Being the groom's right-hand man is one of the most important duties of the best man. It is an honour and a privilege to be the best man at a wedding, and the role comes with a lot of responsibility. The best man is the one the groom turns to for comfort and support throughout the entire wedding planning process.

The best man's role starts to become more evident in the months leading up to the wedding. They are there to be the groom's friend, confidante, and personal valet, supporting the groom in any way possible. This includes helping the groom choose and rent or buy wedding formalwear, as well as coordinating the other groomsmen's ensembles. The best man may even opt to put together emergency kits for the groomsmen, with items such as extra cufflinks, shoe polish, or an extra tie.

On the day of the wedding, the best man's role is to support the groom in every possible way, from helping him get ready to reminding him to breathe—weddings can be stressful! The best man also helps everyone look their best on the day of the ceremony, checking ties, shoes, and ensuring there are no embarrassing wardrobe malfunctions.

The best man also has a number of specific duties on the wedding day, including:

• Holding onto the wedding rings until it is time for the couple to exchange them
• Standing beside the groom at the altar
• Signing the marriage license as a witness
• Acting as an unofficial reception host and ensuring the guests are having a good time
• Giving the best man's speech
• Decorating the getaway car

The best man is also responsible for coordinating the groomsmen and ensuring everyone is well-informed. This includes organising suit fittings, transport plans, and making sure they know where to be for the ceremony. The best man may also be asked to help with other wedding planning tasks, such as booking vendors, managing RSVPs, and coordinating schedules.

In the lead-up to the wedding, the best man is also expected to plan an awesome bachelor party, attend pre-wedding events, and buy a wedding gift for the happy couple.

Hold the wedding rings

Holding the wedding rings is one of the most important duties of the best man. Here are some tips to ensure you ace this responsibility:

Before the Wedding

It is a good idea to familiarise yourself with the wedding rings before the big day. Check if there is a ring bearer who will be carrying the rings down the aisle on a pillow. If so, you will need to fasten the rings to the pillow as you line up for the processional and then take them from the ring bearer once they reach the end of the aisle. If there is no ring bearer, you will be responsible for holding the rings throughout the ceremony. In this case, keep the rings in a safe place, like an inner jacket pocket, and triple-check that your pocket doesn't have any holes!

During the Wedding

If you are the ring bearer, make sure you have the rings to hand, ready for when the couple comes to exchange them. If you aren't the ring bearer, make sure the ring bearer has the rings ahead of the ceremony. Be aware of where the rings are at all times and keep them safe.

After the Wedding

Once the couple has exchanged rings, your responsibility for holding the rings is complete. However, you may be asked to help with other tasks after the wedding, such as organising and safekeeping gifts, handing out vendor tips, and ensuring groomsmen return rented attire.

Give a best man speech

So, you've been asked to be the best man at a wedding—first of all, congratulations! It's a huge honour to be asked to take on this important role, and it's also a big responsibility. But don't panic, here's a step-by-step guide to giving a great best man speech.

Before the speech

Before the big day, make sure you've prepared and practised your speech. It should be clear, heartfelt, and appropriate for all guests. Keep it lighthearted and fun, but remember to be respectful—you don't want to tell any jokes that might offend the bride, groom, or their families. It's traditional to start by introducing yourself and sharing a positive story about the groom. You can also include a funny anecdote, as long as it's suitable for all ages. Then, say something nice about the bride, and maybe a little about how well-suited they are as a couple. Finally, wish the happy couple all the best for the future. Keep your speech short and sweet—around 1-2 minutes is perfect.

On the day

On the day of the wedding, there will be lots to do, but don't forget about your speech! Make sure you have a copy of it with you, and try to take some time to relax and go over it in your head before it's time to deliver it. As best man, you'll be expected to be a beaming ball of joy and energy, so try to join in with the celebrations and have fun. When it's time for the speeches, you'll usually speak after the father of the bride and/or groom, and before the maid of honour.

During the speech

When it's your turn to speak, take your time and try to relax. Start by introducing yourself, and then share a story or two about the groom. If you're nervous, it might help to look at the bride and groom while you're speaking—they chose you to be the best man, so they'll be happy to hear what you have to say! Remember to raise a glass to the happy couple at the end of your speech, and then sit down and enjoy the rest of the celebrations.

Assist the groom on the wedding day

Being the best man is an honour bestowed upon the groom's closest friend or relative. The best man is the groom's right-hand man and is expected to assist the groom in any way possible before and during the wedding. Here are some ways the best man can help the groom on the wedding day:

Help the Groom Get Ready

The best man should be hands-on with whatever last-minute tasks come his way on the wedding day. This includes helping the groom get ready by assisting with tasks such as buttoning his shirt, tying his tie, and ensuring he doesn't forget to breathe (weddings can be stressful)! The best man should also ensure the groom arrives at the venue at least 20 minutes before the ceremony is scheduled to begin.

Organise the Ushers

On the morning of the wedding, the best man is responsible for taking delivery of any buttonholes and handing them out to the groomsmen and other ushers. As the groom will be focusing on himself, the best man should keep an eye on the clock to ensure everyone is on time. The best man should also organise any younger page boys or junior ushers who may need help with their outfits or general looking after.

Keep the Rings Safe

One of the most important duties of the best man is to keep the wedding rings safe before and during the ceremony. Even if the best man isn't the official ring bearer, he may still be tasked with this responsibility. The best man should ensure the rings are easily accessible when the time comes for the couple to exchange them.

Greet Guests with the Groom

As the best man will likely know many of the guests, he should stand by the groom's side to welcome and greet the arriving guests, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere before the ceremony commences. The best man should introduce himself to any guests he doesn't know, so they know who to speak to if they have any questions.

Stand at the Altar with the Groom

Before the wedding ceremony starts, the groom and best man should take their places on the front right-hand side of the ceremony room at the altar. If the best man is the ring bearer, he should have the rings ready for when the couple exchanges them. If not, he should ensure the ring bearer has the rings ahead of the ceremony.

Escort the Maid of Honour

Tradition states that once the ceremony is over, the best man escorts the maid of honour out of the room ahead of the newly married couple exiting.

Stand in the Receiving Line

If the newlyweds choose to have a receiving line at the wedding reception, the best man will be expected to stand in it and greet the guests as a key part of the wedding party.

Help Organise Wedding Photographs

The best man, along with the ushers, will need to help round up guests for the wedding photographer's group photos, as well as appearing in many of them.

Be the Master of Ceremonies

If the couple has decided not to have a toastmaster or master of ceremonies, the best man may be asked to announce key elements like the couple's arrival into the reception room, the speeches, and the cutting of the cake.

Deliver Your Speech

The best man traditionally gives his speech after the father of the bride and the groom. It is usually the last speech before the reception, but this may vary depending on the couple's preferences. The best man should speak slowly, pause for laughter, and mention everyone who needs to be mentioned.

Get the Party Started

After the first dance, it is traditional for the best man to dance with the maid of honour (if there is one) and encourage everyone onto the dance floor. Once everyone is on the dance floor, the best man's official duties are over for the night, and he is free to enjoy the party and celebrate with his friends.

Assist with Logistics

Throughout the day, the best man should assist with logistics such as coordinating with vendors or guiding guests. He should also ensure that the groom eats and drinks enough (not just with shots) and stays hydrated.

Return and Clean Suits

The best man could be asked to help by rounding up and returning any hired items, such as suits and any decorative details used at the venue. If the suits weren't hired, the best man may be tasked with taking them to be dry-cleaned as soon as possible.

Take Care of Wedding Gifts

The best man could also be asked to safely store the wedding gifts if the couple goes on their honeymoon straight away. Even if they don't jet off immediately, he may still be tasked with ensuring all gifts, cards, and things like the guest book and any important keepsakes are collected from the venue and delivered to the couple.

Frequently asked questions