Duties Of The Best Man

The duties of the best man vary from wedding to wedding. The best man is usually expected to plan the groom's bachelor party, though some grooms opt out of this pre-wedding tradition.  In certain situations the best man may be asked to produce the bride's ring at the altar, deliver an informal speech at the wedding rehearsal dinner, and attend any needs of the groom, which may include picking up his tuxedo or helping him prepare for the ceremony.  However, one requirement is explicitly clear--the best man must deliver a speech at the wedding reception. 

Bachelor parties usually entail a weekend of frivolous entertainment, ranging from camping and fishing to strip clubs and gambling. Between 3-10 of a groom's close friends are invited by the best man to attend. It's important to tailor a bachelor party not only to the groom's interests, but also the groups' interests. A weekend camping trip into the mountains might be a bad idea if the majority of the group has never camped. The strip club is a traditional destination of many bachelor parties, but again, if the groom is not particularly fond of lap-dances, it may need to be crossed off the list.

Pre-ceremony Helping the groom prepare for the big day is often stress-free for the best man. If asked to aid the groom in his pre-ceremony preparations, it's important to make sure he looks his best. Check the fit of his tuxedo, smooth out any wrinkles, and double-check the position of his corsage. Alcohol may be used to ease the groom's nerves, though it's crucial to exercise moderation--being blamed for any verbal mishaps at the altar is something no best man wants to be blamed for.  

Speech Speech Speech! The best man's speech is traditionally a warm, slightly humorous take on the relationship between the bride and groom. Many best men take this opportunity to "roast" the groom, though it's important to consider the character and style of the wedding to avoid crossing any personal boundaries of the betrothed. A best man's speech is best kept short. Three to five minutes is plenty of time for an introduction, a few brief anecdotes, and a toast. Longer speeches run the risk of killing a reception's momentum, or in especially severe cases, angering the bride and groom. 

The best man is an instrumental part of any wedding. His duties are always supportive of the groom, regardless of what those duties are. Staying organized, positive, and resourceful are the simplest ways for the best man to ease the pressure of the groom's big day.