As best man, you may think you're just
another groomsman, but guess what? You actually have
special responsibilities -- you'll be a combination
valet and hand-holder as you help the groom come through
this nerve-racking experience with flying colors. As
leader of the groom's posse, you'll:
· Serve as the groom's personal aide and
adviser before and during the wedding. This can include
helping him pack for the honeymoon (the valet part).
· Help the groom choose and rent (or
buy) wedding formalwear, and coordinate the other
groomsmen's rentals. You guys are supposed to match! You
may be expected to arrange accommodations for
out-of-town groomsmen.
· Organize the bachelor party.
Don't be shy about enlisting other groomsmen to help you
out -- most guys don't mind this duty! Put
financial worries out of your mind -- the cost should be
split among everyone who attends the bash. (And fellas,
try to keep it "clean". The last thing you want is
to start of the marriage on shaky grounds because your
wife found out about that strip club!)
· Attend the rehearsal with the bride
and groom and all the other attendants. This is your
opportunity to figure out how you're supposed to walk
down that aisle.
· Stand beside the groom at the altar
and keep the bride's ring until vows are exchanged. Find
a safe place for the ring (and triple check that your
pockets don't have holes) -- you don't want to fumble
around when it's time to whip it out.
· Get with the other groomsmen and make
sure they're performing their duties.
· Sign the marriage license as a witness
after the ceremony, along with the maid of honor.
· Give the officiant a sealed envelope
with his or her fee (the groom's responsibility) just
after the ceremony.
· You may be announced with the maid of
honor when the reception begins.
· Dance with both the honor attendant
and the bride during the wedding party dances.
· Give the first toast to the bride and
groom at the reception. This is your biggest -- and
probably most frightening -- duty. Practice your
toast, and remember the cardinal rule: Mum's the word on
the bachelor party "activities".
· Decorate the getaway car if there is
one. Grab the other groomsmen and the bridesmaids for
help with this one.
· Drive the couple to the wedding-night
hotel or airport after the reception. If you perform
this service, you'll need to stay sober throughout the
reception. If you have a feeling this may not be
possible, hire a limo to drive the couple into the
sunset.
The wedding will be over in the blink of an eye, so
remember to enjoy yourself at the reception.
After all, you're there to celebrate the happiest day of
your best friend's life.
Day of
Wedding - Keeping the Groom Cool
Your biggest job as the stand-up guy is
to make life as easy as possible for the main man. Here
are three easy ways to keep the groom calm.
Digitize it Up
Throw together a digital slideshow.
Nothing too sentimental here, just a keepsake with pictures of the
best -- and worst -- of times together to give everyone
a laugh. If he starts to tear up, be ready to bring him
back down with a smack up side the head!
Playstation 2
There's definitely going to be some
downtime prior to the ceremony. What better way to fill
the time than with the latest video game? Bring over your
favorite gaming system along with the newest edition of
Madden or NBA Shootout. Nothing does a better job distracting a
stressed-out groom than electronic toys.
Sporting Around
Swap
the video games for some real court action. Go spend an hour
at the courts or at the
park for a game of touch football before getting dressed. But nothing too
physical -- you don't want your guy hobbling down the
aisle with a blown ACL.
~ photo courtesy of
Tonesha Housen |
Best
Man Duties