The best man is chosen
for an honorary position – but the position does come with
responsibilities. Best man duties are varied and important, ranging
from tasks before the wedding right up to the big day. Luckily, many
men have done this job before you, so if you take the advice from their
experiences, it should be easy to perform your duties, without having
to go through trial and error.
One task that is up to the best man is helping the groom rent (or in
some cases, purchase) tuxedos for himself, you and the rest of the
groomsmen. As part of your best man duties, you may be asked to
coordinate a time to get fitted for the tuxes, and make sure that
everyone in the wedding party gets fitted and gives you their
measurements. The groom may ask you to help pick out the tuxedo style
as well – although most grooms usually decide on this with
their brides.
Another task that you'll be assigned as one of your best man duties is
planning the bachelor party – probably the most fun task
you'll have. You'll need to plan the guest list, the activities
– everything. This may seem like a chore, but think of the
fun that you will have at the party as well! As a best man, that's
pretty much the sum of your duties before the wedding. However, there's
still plenty for you to do on the wedding day.
On the big day, your best man duties increase. You will be responsible
for holding on to the wedding rings for the bride and groom, something
you'll definitely want to keep track of! Best men are also usually
asked to be witnesses for the wedding certificate – along
with the maid of honor. You might be asked to help the groomsmen out
with finding a place to change into their tuxes, and telling them how
to usher in the guests. Some of this might be handled by the wedding
coordinator, but if there isn't one at your wedding, you will be asked
to pitch in. Finally, at the reception, it will be your turn to give
your big toast or speech.
While the best man duties might seem a bit much for some, remember that
you will probably need a best man someday yourself, who will also be
responsible for doing this for you! It's a big honor – so
don't take this lightly.