Best man wedding duties: the ultimate checklist
Wondering what a best man does besides planning the bachelor party? Here is a full guide for you explaining what the duties of a best man are.
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Best Man Duties Before, During và After the Wedding Ceremony
1. Create a best man emergency kit
You never know what mishaps may occur on the morning of the wedding, so, as the Boy Scout motto goes: Be prepared! Head lớn a drugstore the week before the wedding and pick up essential toiletries like spray deodorant, bandages, tissues, and pain relievers. You’ll also want to lớn bring a stain remover, sewing kit, and even an extra pair of socks & tie in case someone forgets their own. Also, don’t forget to lớn bring cash in case of emergency.
2. Get dressed with the other groomsmen and groom
The best man should be a relaxed & upbeat presence the morning of the wedding—especially if the groom is feeling a bit nervous. Play music, break out some beers, a deck of cards, or video clip games lớn help pass the time. And be sure to lớn memorize those how-to-tie-a-tie YouTube videos before the wedding in case anyone needs last-minute assistance!
3. Make sure the groomsmen are wearing their boutonnieres
If the groomsmen are supposed to lớn wear boutonnieres, ensure that everyone’s is pinned on properly before walking down the aisle.
4. Try to lớn keep things on schedule
Ask the couple to lớn provide you with a timeline of the wedding day’s events before the big day so you’re aware of what needs to lớn happen when. The best man may have to play camp counselor a few times during the day—if you notice that people are goofing off instead of lining up for photos, or not where they should be at the appropriate time, try to get things on track. You should also introduce yourself khổng lồ the venue coordinator and/or wedding planner, and volunteer your assistance.
5. Hold the wedding rings until the couple’s ring exchange
If there is no ring bearer, the best man may be responsible for holding the wedding bands until the ring exchange portion of the ceremony. Be aware of where the rings are at all times và keep them in a safe place, like a your inner jacket pocket (check in advance that your pocket doesn’t have a hole in it!).
6. Stand next to lớn the groom
The best man usually stands next to the groom during the ceremony. This is a clear display of your love and support for your pal, so—we’re totally going to lớn sound like your grandma here—stand up straight, look interested, & smile during the ceremony! While the best man typically walks down the aisle solo during the processional, he will likely be paired with the maid of honor during the recessional.
7. Deliver officiant’s payment after the ceremony
The newlyweds will typically be a bit busy immediately after the ceremony, so the best man is usually tasked with ensuring that the wedding officiant receives his or her payment. Talk with the couple before the wedding lớn see if this is a task they’d like you to assist with.
8. Sign the marriage license as witness
The marriage license is super-important—without it, the couple isn’t actually married! The couple will usually sign the license after the ceremony, but sometimes it’s signed before. The best man is usually present for the signing—and as two witnesses are typically required, the best man và maid of honor typically fill those roles.
9. Pose for pictures
Whether the couple takes wedding buổi tiệc ngọt portraits before or after the ceremony, you"ll need khổng lồ be trò chơi to smile for the camera—many, many times over. Being in front of the camera might not be your favorite thing in the world, but the couple will be grateful for your cooperation.
Best Man Duties at the Wedding Reception
1. Stand next lớn bride in the receiving line
A receiving line is a formal way lớn greet guests as they enter during cocktail hour. They aren’t super-common these days, but if the couple decides khổng lồ host one, the best man typically stands next khổng lồ the bride và groom while saying hello to lớn arriving guests.
2. Be announced with maid of honor for reception entrance
Once the reception begins, the wedding buổi tiệc ngọt will typically make theirgrand entrance with the DJ or bandleader announcing everyone by name as they enter the party. The best man usually enters the reception alongside the maid of honor.
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3. Play host
During the wedding reception, guests may look to the best man for random tidbits of information—from knowing where the restroom is, to when the cake cutting will occur. Since you should have the timeline of wedding-day events handy, you hopefully should be able lớn answer their questions. If not, direct them to the venue coordinator or wedding planner.
4. Dance with the maid of honor during first guest dance
It’s tradition for the best man to dance with the maid of honor when guests are welcomed onto the dance floor. If you & the MOH would prefer not to lớn go this route, that"s totally fine, just make sure that you’re one of the first people on the dance floor và encourage the other guests to lớn join you. If you look like you’re having an amazing time, the rest of the couple’s family & friends will follow suit. Another good move on the part of the best man? Make sure you dance with the bride, too.
5. Make sure groom eats and drinks
The groom will be pretty busy during the ceremony, but try lớn help him out by making sure he has a bite lớn eat & stays hydrated (and not just with shots).
6. Give a best man speech
The best man typically gives the second toast after the father-of-the-bride. Our advice: Don’t procrastinate when it comes khổng lồ writing your best man speech, speak from the heart, và keep it short.
7. Decorate the getaway car
If the couple is not hiring wedding transportation & using their own car, the best man and groomsmen traditionally have a little fun by decorating the getaway oto with cans, streamers, etc. Make sure the couple is cool with this before going to town on their car.
Best Man Duties After the Wedding
1. Help organize and safe-keep gifts
Even though the các buổi tiệc nhỏ is over, there are still a few more things for you to accomplish. The couple probably received many gifts during the wedding. Make sure that the gifts are collected & kept in a safe location until the couple returns from their honeymoon.
2. Hand out vendor tips
The couple may ask the best man to lớn hand out tips khổng lồ vendors after the reception—just make sure that the cash is organized into labeled envelopes, and you’re aware of the exact person you should hand the tip to.
3. Make sure groomsmen return rented attire
If you’re coordinated a group tuxedo rental, you’ll need to lớn make sure that all of the tuxes are returned in a timely fashion. This may require a few texts to certain groomsmen, but you don’t want khổng lồ be charged for late returns.
Best Man FAQs
Does the best man pay for anything?
Aside from all the best man duties you’ll need to handle, there is also a financial responsibility involved. Here’s a brief các mục of the traditional best man expenses:
AttireBachelor partyTravel and accommodations for the weddingPre-wedding groomingWedding giftCan a married man be a best man?
Certainly! A groom’s best man is usually his closest relative or friend, và can be married or unmarried. Some grooms have even chosen their father as their best man!
Can you have two best men at a wedding?
Yes, the groom can have two best men—it’s particularly common if a groom has two brothers, or if there are two grooms. However, since the best men may be handling responsibilities as a team, it’s important khổng lồ make sure that the chosen best men get along & can work well together. Choosing two best men who don’t know each other may not be a good idea and cause tension within the wedding party.
What should the best man get the groom as a gift?
Yes, part of the best man’s responsibilities is lớn get the couple a wedding gift. The best man may also choose lớn get the groom an individual gift as part of the bachelor buổi tiệc nhỏ festivities, but it’s not necessary. The best man should expect to spend about $120 on a wedding gift, and potentially more if he’s attending the wedding with a plus-one. Traditionally, the best man purchases a gift from the couple’s wedding registry or gives cash. However, if the best man would prefer to give a more creative or sentimental gift that’ s not on the registry that he feels the couple would love, that’s okay, too.
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