Before you say I Do
Q&A: The Best Man’s Duties
Salle Robertson
The Best Man...
- Checks on such wedding details as bills for the flowers and accommodations for out-of-town ushers
- Sees that the groom is properly outfitted and at the ceremony site on time. You might say he is the groom’s person bodyguard/valet
- Hands the ceremony officiant a sealed envelope with his fee (from the groom) immediately following the ceremony
- Carries the bride’s wedding ring down the aisle. At the appropriate moment in the ceremony he hands it to the officiant
- Oversee the ushers, making sure that all are uniformly dressed, thoroughly briefed, and at the ceremony site at the appointed hour
- May stand in the receiving line or circulate among the guests
- May dance with the honor attendant, then the bride during the newlyweds first dance
- Site to the right of the bride, if it’s a seated reception and proposes the first toast to the new couple
- He makes sure that the windshield for the honeymoon car is not over decorated. Also he makes sure that only removable materials are used to decorate the car (no paint)
- May be responsible for driving the couple to their station, airport, or hotel
- Sees to it that all the men’s rental clothes are returned to the formal wear store the first business day after the wedding
This indispensable role is usually filled by the groom’s most trustworthy friend or relative. The best man’s duties are many and varied. He usually organizes the bachelor party, is chief of staff at the wedding, toastmaster at the reception and personal aide and advisor to the groom. Although many of his tasks may be assigned to one of the ushers, the best man is expected to hold the bride’s ring during the ceremony, offer the first toast and generally lighten the groom’s load.
