A Guide for the Best Man

Undoubtedly the most important man in the bridal party aside from the groom, the title of Best Man has long been an honor that belongs to the person most near and dear to the groom’s heart. Generally a brother, best friend, close relative, or sometimes even the groom’s father, the Best Man is more than just a title holder. He has plenty of things to do to help the wedding ceremony and reception run smoothly.

Even before the wedding begins, however, it’s the responsibility of the Best Man to get the ball rolling as far as pre-wedding activities for the groomsmen, such as the traditional Bachelor Party. No matter what form this party takes (a night out with the guys, a weekend at the lake, a jaunt to Las Vegas), it’s the Best Man’s task to do the majority of the organizing.

Once the big day arrives, the Best Man should remain by the groom’s side. He can help his soon-to-be-married friend stay on task by reminding him it’s time to dress or time to head to the ceremony. The Best Man is generally responsible for carrying the rings (though the Maid of Honor sometimes carries the groom’s ring) and will hand them to the officiant during the ceremony. After the ceremony, the Best Man is sometimes charged with the task of seeing that the musicians and others taking part in the festivities are paid.

At the reception, the Best Man is responsible for an honored tradition – the first toast to the bride and groom. As Best Man, this task requires a lot of thought and the toast should be written down and practiced before the reception. Even men can become rather sentimental and teary-eyed while presenting the toast, so some advance preparation is necessary to ensure a good and meaningful presentation.

Once the day’s events have come to a close, the Best Man might offer to drive the bride and groom to the airport or other destination from which they will begin their honeymoon.

Most importantly, from the time one is asked to be the Best Man, that person should be readily available to assist in any way they can, remembering that their friend, brother, cousin, etc. called upon them for this job because they carry a special place in his heart.

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