Who Steps In When There's No Best Man?

If you're getting married and don't have a best man, you're not alone. Many people have been in the same situation and there are several options to consider. Firstly, it's important to remember that wedding traditions are not set in stone and you can adapt them to suit your needs. If you don't want to have a best man, you can choose to have only groomsmen or no wedding party at all. This can simplify the planning process and ensure a smoother wedding day. Alternatively, you could ask a family member or a close friend to be your best man, even if they don't know you deeply. You could also consider having a best woman or a female friend or family member as your honour attendant. Ultimately, it's your wedding, so you can set your own rules and create a wedding party that feels authentic to you.

You can still have a bachelor party without a best man

If you're not planning on having a best man at your wedding, you might be wondering how you can still have a bachelor party. Well, you're in luck! There are no "wedding police" that will stop you from having a bachelor party without a best man. Here are some tips to help you plan a memorable celebration:

Plan the bachelor party yourself

If you have the time and it's not too much of a hassle, you can take matters into your own hands and plan your own bachelor party. This way, you can ensure that everything is exactly how you want it and that all your closest friends are invited.

Hire a company to plan the bachelor party

If planning a party isn't your forte, you can always hire a company to plan the bachelor party for you. This option may be more expensive, but it will take the stress off of you and ensure that you can still have the celebration you want.

Ask a friend or family member to help

If you don't want to plan the bachelor party yourself, you can ask a friend or family member to help. They can take on the role of organising the event, sending out invitations, and making sure everything runs smoothly. This option can be especially helpful if you have a large group of friends and want to ensure that everyone is included.

Choose activities that the groom will enjoy

When planning the bachelor party, it's important to choose activities that the groom will genuinely enjoy. This could include sports, dining out, board games, or even just a movie night with friends. You can also plan a weekend away or include activities like bungee jumping, paintball, or bar hopping.

Consider the groom's preferences and boundaries

It's important to respect the groom's preferences and boundaries when planning the bachelor party. For example, not everyone is comfortable with the idea of strip clubs or strippers. Be sure to communicate with the groom and the other guests to ensure that everyone is on the same page and that no one feels uncomfortable.

By following these tips, you can still have a fun and memorable bachelor party, even without a best man. Remember, it's your wedding, so feel free to set your own rules and create a celebration that feels authentic to you and your friends.

You can ask your dad to be by your side on the day

If you don't have a best man, you can still have a wedding without one. You can ask your dad to be by your side on the day and fulfil the role of a best man. This is becoming more and more popular. Your dad will be over the moon to be asked and happy to have someone so close to him by his side on his wedding day.

On your wedding day, you may need someone to ensure your wedding party gets everywhere on time, to hold the rings, and to pass you drinks so you stay hydrated. Your dad can do all of this and more. If you are close to your dad, or even if you're not, asking him to be your best man could be a great way to bring you closer.

If you don't want to ask your dad, you could ask a friend to check on you periodically and see if you need anything throughout the day. You could also ask your wedding planner to help with some of the duties, such as assisting with the exchange of gifts and making sure you have your favourite drink in hand.

Remember, it's your wedding, so you can set your own rules and create a wedding party that feels authentic to you.

You can ask a friend to check on you periodically and see if you need anything

If you don't have a best man, you can ask a friend to check on you periodically throughout your wedding day and see if you need anything. This can be especially helpful if you start crying and need a napkin, or if you need someone to pass you drinks so you stay hydrated. Your friend can also ensure your wedding party gets everywhere on time and can keep the rings safe.

Asking a friend to fulfil this role can be a great alternative to having a best man, and it can ensure that you have everything you need on your special day. It can also be a more casual arrangement, where your friend is simply there to support you and doesn't have any official duties.

If you're concerned about not having a best man, it's important to remember that wedding traditions are not mandatory and can be adapted to suit your needs. You can choose to have a different type of wedding party or no wedding party at all. Ultimately, it's your wedding, and you can set your own rules to create a day that feels authentic to you.

Some people who don't have a best man choose to ask their dad, a sibling, or another family member to take on some of the best man duties. You can also consider hiring a wedding planner to assist with tasks such as exchanging wedding gifts and making sure you have your favourite drink.

You can ask a parent, mentor or friend to give a speech instead

If you decide not to have a best man at your wedding, you can ask a parent, mentor, or friend to give a speech instead. This can be a heartfelt and funny speech that adds colour to your big day.

If you don't have a best man, you can still have a wedding party that feels authentic to you. You can opt to have just groomsmen, for example, or you could have a "best pup" if you're a dog lover. Shante, a destination wedding planner, suggests using your dog as your right-hand man or woman when you walk down the aisle. There are pet-sitting companies that will take care of your dog during the wedding.

You could also ask a sibling, parent, uncle, grandparent, or cousin to take on the best man duties you need help with before and on your wedding day. If you don't have anyone you feel comfortable with in these roles, you can skip the wedding party altogether.

Remember, it's your wedding, so you can set your own rules and create a celebration that feels authentic to you.

You can scrap the wedding party altogether

If you don't want to deal with the hassle of having a best man, or if you don't have anyone close enough to you to fill the role, you can scrap the wedding party altogether. This is becoming more and more common, and it can create a smoother wedding day and preparation process.

There are no rules saying you need to have a wedding party, and you can set your own rules to create a wedding that feels authentic to you. You can still have a special person by your side on the day, such as your dad, a friend, or even your dog.

If you decide to forgo the wedding party, you'll need to consider who will take on some of the traditional best man duties. For example, who will plan the bachelor party? There are companies you can hire to throw the bachelor party for you, or you can throw it yourself if you have the time. You'll also need someone to be your right-hand person on the day of the wedding, ensuring you have everything you need and helping to keep things running smoothly. This could be your wedding planner or a trusted friend or family member.

Another thing to consider is who will give a speech. Traditionally, the best man gives a speech during the wedding reception, but you could ask a parent, mentor, or friend to give a speech instead, or simply skip the speech altogether and use that time for something else.

Remember, it's your wedding, and you can structure it in a way that works for you and your partner. Don't worry about what other people have done and focus on creating the wedding you want.

Frequently asked questions