Need Best Man instructions

[Gnarlo]

I've been asked to be the Best Man at my brother's upcoming wedding (yay, me! and yay, him!) , and I need advice: what does a best man do? I've seen a few chick flicks, I get a vague impression of being responsible for a bachelor party (unlikely due to all the work schedules involved) and giving a toast at the reception? Anyone care to elaborate? Anything else? Is there a manual for this? Did I miss a memo?

Oh, and the apparent movie tradition of banging a bridesmaid is right out, my (very happily married) wife will be there

 

[Crothian]

Oh, and the apparent movie tradition of banging a bridesmaid is right out, my (very happily married) wife will be there

Get her to be a bridesmaid and you'll be able to keep up that tradition!

 

[Altamont Ravenard]

I was the best man for my oldest friend's wedding this June. Basically, your duties are:
- organize the bachelor party
- make the first toast to the couple at the reception
- make sure that the wedding goes smoothly (with the help of the bridesmaid).

Depending on how the wedding will be organized, you should participate in it in such a manner that the groom as the least things to think about, come the big day.

A quick Google search should give you a few sites about the duties of the best man...

http://www.wedalert.com/content/articles/best_man_requirements.asp
http://www.weddinglinks.com/ARTICLES/montero.html
http://www.frugalbride.com/bestmanduties.html
http://www.usabride.com/wedplan/a_bestman.html

Hope this helps, and good luck!

AR

 

[tarchon]

You have to be careful with the bachelor party - it's best to make sure that it won't cause major problems. The actual duties vary a lot from wedding to wedding, but a lot of it is being the go-to guy when something desperately needs to get done ASAP. And the first toast is pretty common institution.

 

[Kanegrundar]

For my buddy's wedding a few years ago, I was in charge of the bachelor party, made sure all the guy's had their tuxes ordered and ran any back to the rental place when they didn't fit right, lit candles before the ceremony (may not be needed if your bro has candle-lighters), held onto the wedding ring, the first toast, and making sure everything ran smoothly throughout the reception. Basically, the best man is the grease that keeps everything running smoothly.

Kane

 

[Steve Jung]

I was the best man at 2 weddings last year. I organized the bachelor party. It's better to have it a week or so before the wedding, not the night before. You don't want the groom to be fighting a hangover or such on his wedding day. Returning the tuxes the day after is also something you can do. The best man is also responsible for making sure the celebrant is paid. During the reception, I went around to each table and greeted everyone and thanked them for coming. You need to provide emotional support for the groom, too. He'll probably be nervous.

 

[Ranger REG]

- make sure that the wedding goes smoothly (with the help of the bridesmaid).

Yeah, that's probably the most important. No matter how wild the bachelor party get, the next morning you better make sure the groom is ready (sober up, calm, and dressed) and take care of the wedding rings.

You'll also have to be the bearer of bad news if the groom decided to split before the ceremony. Let's hope it does not come to that.

 

[Teflon Billy]

- make the first toast to the couple at the reception

Close. You actually make the Toast to the Bride traditionally.

 

[diaglo]

stand in for the groom if he doesn't survive the bachelor party.

 

[Gnarlo]

*writing notes furiously* Thanks, everyone. My wife and I got married in Vegas, *soOOOoo* much easier....