Best Man Duties

You want to be there for your friend’s happy day, but before saying yes, you should know what the best man duties are. This does not mean getting dressed up in a rental tux and partying, it means helping groom get through a bad case of nerves, keeping the ushers in line, and making an positive and meaningful speech before toasting the happy couple.

1. The Bachelor Party. It is the best man’s duty to plan, throw, and pay for the bachelor party. At first thought, the best man’s reaction is “party time”. However, the bachelor party is an event that requires thoughtfulness. For instance, many women will back out of marrying a man who indulged in the services of an entertainer at the bachelor party. As the best man, it is your duty to assist in making the wedding day a happy memory for the bride and groom. Planning a bachelor party is about honoring the groom as opposed to being a group of teenagers acting like their parents are out of town for the weekend. Keep the peace by discussing the boundaries of the bachelor party activities with the bride and groom prior to making the plans.
2. Groom to the Church. One of the most important duties of the best man is to transport the groom to the church and get him there, not on time, but at least 30 minutes early. The groom is likely to be nervous, distracted, or in need of a friend to talk with. The best man should make the arrangements for getting the groom safely to the wedding.
3. Wild Herd of Ushers. Directly after the wedding ceremony and before the reception heats up, the wedding pictures are taken. The first thing the ushers will do after the ceremony is to begin to peel layers of clothing. The tie is always the first to go followed by the jacket and sleeves being rolled up. The best man must keep the ushers organized and presentable for the wedding photos. When the group is assembled for the wedding party and family photos, inevitably a cherished family member will be missing. It is the best man’s duty to search the bar or ladies room for the missing member of the wedding. 
4. Best Man’s Toast. Toasting the bride and groom is a duty of the best man that should be taken very seriously. Most of the time best men are nervous about the toast. It should be humorous, lighthearted, complimentary, and most of all tasteful. For instance, it is not appropriate to mention the girl you thought would get the groom or to walk down memory lane about the first time the groom got “lucky”. The best course to follow is to remark on the positive changes the relationship has brought into the groom’s life. Remember, the groom is your friend and your words will be taken to heart.
5. Wedding Gifts. Depending on the size of the wedding, there is likely to be a large table full of bulky wedding gifts. The best man shares the duty of handling the wedding gifts with the bridesmaids. Discuss a plan ahead of time with the bride, groom, and maid of honor, for removing and transporting the wedding gifts from the reception to the proper location.
6. Getaway Car. It is the best man’s duty to decorate the car the happy couple will use to leave the reception. A few rules to consider before decorating the car. Never put anything sharp, wet, or smelly in the car. For instance, don’t put a dead fish or a bag of dog poop inside the car. This will not make a pleasant memory for the bride and groom. Don’t use anything inside the car that could damage clothing or harm the couple. The decorations should represent the happy couple. If the groom is a Bears fan and the bride is a Seahawks fan, decorate the car to represent their team spirit. If they are honeymooning in Hawaii, reflect that with the decorations. When planning the getaway car, be respectful.