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Congratulations! You're someone's Best Man. If this is your first time as the "Best", there's a lot you'll need to know. If you've done this before, chances are you could still use a review.
Being the best man is similar to being a butler; you've got a number of responsibilities, none of which should call attention to themselves, and all of which are geared toward putting the bride and groom at ease.
While being dubbed best man means you've topped the list of friends and family members as the closest and most reliable, it's now up to you to make the Groom proud. And in order to accomplish this, you've got to be aware of what's expected of you:
Months before the Wedding
- Organize the bachelor party
- Get fitted for your tuxedo
- Help the groom with his wedding planning tasks
- Be a confidant of the Groom
Days Before the Wedding
- Attend the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner
- Help set up and decorate the reception site
- Help decorate the wedding transportation, if necessary
The Wedding Day - The Ceremony
- Help the groom get dressed
- Make sure the groom arrives at the wedding location on time (about 30 minutes before the wedding starts)
- Keep the rings until the ring exchange
- Sign the marriage license and act as a legal witness to the marriage
The Wedding Day - Post-Ceremony
- The couple may give you a sealed envelope with a donation to give to the church, Synagogue or officiant
- Help the photographer gather and organize the guests for any group shots
- If it rains, have umbrellas
- If the transportation does not arrive or is late, have a plan
The Wedding Day - Post-Reception
- Help load and transport and secure the wedding gifts from the reception site
- Make sure that nothing is left at the reception site
- If the transportation is not provided, you may be expected to drive the newlyweds to the airport, home or hotel
- Return both your tuxedo and the groom's tuxedo
In sum, your responsibility as a best man is to be that trusted advisor looking over the shoulder of the groom and the bride. Your job is to solve any problems that arise, make sure the groom gets to the wedding site and soothe any jitters he might have. You are a special person to the groom, so take pride in that and live up to the name - The Best Man.
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