The Traditional Duties of a Groom's Best Man

Every groom needs his best man. If you are the best man, you may be a good friend, the best friend, or you may be a brother. No matter your personal relationship with the groom, however, there are some duties that fall within your realm during the process of planning the wedding, and more especially on the wedding day itself. Here are the traditional duties assigned to the best man. Of course, the groom may need a little more help or require less, but as the best man, the groom is counting on you to help him do what needs doing.

During the main planning process, you should discuss the wedding plans with the bride, groom, and the maid (or matron) of honor. This will help you understand what, specifically, the couple needs from you, and will help you establish a working relationship with the head bridal attendant, who also has her own list of duties. You are also responsible for the wedding ushers and other groomsmen. You will need to explain their duties to them, and you will need to make list of people who have special seating arrangements so that the ushers are aware of where to seat them. The best man is also in charge of the bachelor party - but you already knew that.

Just prior to the wedding (five to eight days out), make sure that all of the groom's documents (license, register, passports, visas, reservations, etc.) needed for the wedding and the honeymoon are in order. You should also attend the rehearsal dinner and make sure the ushers are ready to go. If needed, you should arrange for transportation needs of the groom: to the ceremony, from ceremony to reception with bride, and from reception to wherever it is the couple is going to start their honeymoon. Have your hair cut so that you look presentable, and finalize your wedding speech.

The day before the wedding should be spent in final preparations. Make sure that the route to all of the destinations will be clear (check for roadwork, events, etc.). Also pick up rented clothing and accessories and make sure you are prepared with appropriate decorations for the "getaway" car. You should receive the bride's wedding ring at some point in the few days before the wedding. This is your biggest responsibility: not to lose or forget the wedding ring for the bride.

On the day of the wedding, the best man should be ready before the groom so that he can help the groom get ready, or run little errands if needed. It is the duty of the best man to ensure that the groom is ON TIME for the ceremony (best be there at least 30 minutes before the ceremony is to begin). Once at the ceremony's location, the groom should check on the ushers, ensure that all fees to the officiator are paid, witness the signing of the marriage certificate, and act as the escort to the maid or matron of honor. The best man may also help the photographer arrange the wedding party for pictures.

During the reception, the best man stands next to the groom in the receiving line and greets the wedding guests. He is responsible to act as the Master of Ceremonies (unless one has been hired) and announce the cake cutting and the speeches. The best man gives the final speech. If there is dancing, the best man dances with the maid/matron of honor after the bride and groom have completed their first dance. He oversees the placing of the luggage into the "getaway" car and decorates it. He reminds the couple of when they need to change, and then announces their going. If the groom's suit or tuxedo is a rental, the best man is in charge of it and ensures that it is returned with the rest of the rented clothing and accessories.