Being the best man at your friend’s wedding is an incredible honor. However, it is also a big responsibility. The groom has placed a great deal of faith in you, and it is your job to help him throughout the planning process. From organizing the bachelor party to delivering a toast at the reception, there are many duties you must take on as the best man.
To ensure that your role as Best Man Celebrant man is a success, we’ve put together this complete checklist of the duties and responsibilities that must be carried out before, during and after the wedding ceremony. We’ve also included tips and advice to help you perform your duties with ease.
Organize Suit or Tuxedo Rental
One of the first tasks as the groom’s best man is to assist him in selecting and renting or purchasing his wedding outfit. After all, no one wants a groom who looks shabbily or poorly dressed on his wedding day. If you know of a good suit or tuxedo rental shop, be sure to pass this information along to the groom and his groomsmen.
If the couple’s out-of-town guests require transportation to and from the wedding, the best man will typically be responsible for coordinating this transport. You can do this by ensuring that you have the contact information for all of the out-of-town guests and establishing how they will get to and from the wedding site.
On the wedding day itself, the best man will act as a liaison between the groom and his groomsmen to ensure that everyone understands their roles and is prepared for the day. This may include assisting them with suit fittings, transport plans or providing last-minute tips on how to properly wear their tuxedos (bow ties tight, cufflinks secure and hair well-groomed).
Stand By the Groom at Ceremony & Reception
As the groom’s right hand man, it is your responsibility to support him throughout the ceremony and reception by being a source of calm and positivity. This will involve ensuring that he has all of the items required for the wedding (like the rings) and participating in wedding ceremonies and traditions. During the reception, the best man will usually deliver a brief best man speech that offers sincere well-wishes and lighthearted anecdotes about the groom.
After the ceremony, the best man will often be responsible for helping the groom write and send thank you notes to the wedding guests. You can do this by providing him with a list of names and addresses or by using an online service like WeddingWire’s Thank You Note Generator. On the day of the wedding, you’ll also be responsible for holding on to the groom’s cell phone, wallet and other belongings for safekeeping. You might also be asked to hold the wedding rings for safekeeping during the ceremony. Finally, you will likely be asked to sign the couple’s marriage license as a witness. If you’re unsure of any of these duties, consult with the groom or his wedding planner before the wedding day.