What’s The Job Of The Best Man?

Best Man Melbourne

A best man's role extends beyond that of a simple groomsman. If the groom chooses to appoint a best man, that man will be responsible for helping the groom with a number of tasks leading up to and on the big day. This is your official, all-inclusive guide to the normal duties and responsibilities of the best man.

Weddings take extensive preparation and effort, but the end result is worth it. In addition, a best man or maid of honour will be there to support the happy couple as they organise the most crucial day of their lives. In need of Melbourne hens party inspiration? Stop looking, because Magic Men has got you covered.

The best man, like the maid of honour, is expected to carry out a number of responsibilities. Once the best man accepts the position, he is expected to act as the groom's closest confidant before, all through, and after wedding.

Even though the best man's primary role is to be by the side of the groom throughout the wedding, he also has a few other responsibilities that he must fulfill.

Table of Contents

What is it, to be the Best Man?

To be asked to serve as best man at a wedding is an honour and a responsibility that should not be taken lightly. A massive stag party is only part of the story. The best man's responsibilities include, but are not limited to, organising the stag do, aiding in wedding preparations, guarding the rings on the big day, and giving the best man's speech.

If you're curious about the duties of a best man, you should know that he is responsible for ensuring that the wedding day and all of the events leading up to it go off without a hitch.

The best man usually organises the groomsmen, from the bachelor party to the groomsmen's attire to their transportation to the wedding. The groom is also expected to help out with preparations and the afterparty. His primary purpose is to lend moral support to the groom.

Who is considered the most eligible Best Man?

The best man is the most trusted advisor to the groom on the big day. The groom's best man is a friend or relative of the groom who has been asked to be by his side on his wedding day and to help out in any way they can.

The best man is traditionally a close male relative or friend of the groom, but this is not a hard and fast rule. For their best men, most men choose their brothers or best friends, but you could also ask your father, grandfather, or son.

If your best friend happens to be a woman, nothing is stopping you from asking her to be your bridesmaid. You should only ask someone you have a strong relationship with to be your best man, as this role carries with it a great deal of responsibility.

Can you have two best men?

In recent years, it has become more common to have two best men. After all, choosing just one best man is a huge task, so if you have two outstanding men to choose from, ask them to split the duties.

Having a best man's speech bounced off of another best man can be helpful. If you think your best man or men might be feeling anxious about giving a toast, this will help ease their minds.

Responsibilities of the Best Man

While the best man's duties may change from celebration to wedding, there are a few tasks that always fall under his purview.

The best man's duties may include planning the groom's bachelor party, amassing funds to buy him a gift, and assisting the groom and his attendants in selecting formal attire for the wedding. However, this is only the beginning of their responsibilities.

The best man typically serves as the ring bearer, greets guests, and coordinates the location of the groom and his party during the wedding. The best man is expected to give the opening toast and keep the party going for the duration of the reception.

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Pre-Wedding Duties

Advice on Accessorizing

This is vitally important if the bride and groom have decided that the groomsmen should all dress similarly. The best man has the responsibility of assisting the groom in renting his wedding tuxedo and coordinating the rentals of the other groomsmen. The best man may assist the groomsmen in their search for appropriate attire for a casual wedding.

Arrange the Stag Do

This is a time-honored custom, and these celebrations can take many forms. The best man is generally in charge of organising the bachelor party and enlisting the assistance of the other groomsmen, whether the event will take place on a yacht, at a golf course, or at a nightclub.

Plan the Groomsmen's Gift Exchange

The best man usually takes the lead in acquiring a present for the groom if the groomsmen have opted to do so. Involve the groomsmen in the planning process by having them each contribute something special.

Offering Emotional Support

Providing someone with someone to lean on is crucial. It is acceptable for the best man to listen to the groom's concerns, revelations, and inquiries without passing judgement. He's the kind of guy every groom needs, the one who'll pat him on the back, remind him to stay on task, and generally keep him level-headed.

Attend the Dress Rehearsal

The best man can be essential in getting the majority of the groomsmen and bridesmaids together for the rehearsal to ensure everything goes off without a hitch. During the rehearsal dinner, the best man may give a brief toast to get things started.

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Responsibilities on the Wedding Day

Make sure the groom and his groomsmen are on time.

There's no denying that time flies on the wedding day, especially during the pre-ceremony preparations. The best man is traditionally responsible for keeping track of time on the wedding day to ensure that the groom and his groomsmen arrive on time.

Additionally, he helps keep the groomsmen in order and looking sharp by coordinating their movements and ensuring they have everything they need before the ceremony begins.

Hold the wedding bands

The best man has the important responsibility of keeping the wedding rings secure. The best man may be asked to safeguard the rings until the ceremony if the bride and groom decide against having a ring bearer.

The best man could also be instructed to maintain the groom's phone and wallet close at hand so that he doesn't have to keep reaching into his pockets for them.

Acknowledge Visitor's Presence

A best man is usually a brother or close friend of the groom, so he is likely to be well-versed in most of the attendees. Given his extensive network, he is an ideal candidate to welcome guests at the wedding.

Take the role of a Witness

Two witnesses are required when a couple signs their marriage licence; traditionally, the best man and maid of honour take on this responsibility. The best man's presence is essential for this step, and he may even be asked to sign his name alongside the bride and groom on the marriage certificate.

To begin the Toasts

When the bride and groom decide to have a toast, the best man is usually the first to speak. As the best man's toast is likely the most important duty he will have, it is crucial that he give it careful consideration in advance. Well-written toasts celebrate the newlyweds' story in a manner befitting the occasion.

Keep the reception going.

It's common for the best man to be the first one on the floor after the first dance, especially if the couple did the dance. The best man's job at the reception is to circulate among the guests and make sure everyone is having a great time. At the reception, they can also start dancing with the bride, maid of honour, bride's mother, and groom's mother.

 Make Arrangements for Transportation

Though many newlyweds and their guests opt to take a taxi or shuttle service to their hotel, airport, or reception, you may find yourself behind the wheel after the ceremony is over.

If that's the case, you shouldn't drink any alcohol before, during, or after the party. You can, of course, outsource this work to experts if you prefer. Help a brother out and hire a limo for the newlyweds so you can all go out and celebrate.

Serve as an Informal Welcome Committee Moderator and Emcee

Does the grandmother of the bride need assistance finding a seat? Do we have a lone dancer among the flower girls? Do you think one of the best men has had a few too many of the house speciality drinks before dinner?

Make sure the happy couple and their guests are having a great time, and that everyone in the wedding party knows when and where they need to be. And this is probably the biggest duty you have: Offering a speech as best man.

Following the typical wedding speech timeline, you should make your toast to the pair before introducing the maid of honour. As long as you don't do anything illegal, you're not "on duty" and can enjoy the night as much as anyone else.

You should act appropriately and offer assistance if asked, but one of the greatest things you can do is to be an unstoppable ball of joy and energy the whole time.

Wrap Up Any Loose Ends After the Party

Guests are welcome to bring enveloped gifts, and you should collect them. You may be asked to deposit them in the couple's bank account or at least keep them until the couple returns from their honeymoon.

Make sure the cash envelopes get to the vendors who earned tips or were paid in money at the end of the night. You and the other members of the wedding celebration can help the happy couple make their getaway special by decorating the getaway car.

The Wedding Position of the Best Man

During the ceremony, the best man is stationed nearest to the groom at the altar. Let's dive deeper into the responsibilities and duties of the best man now that you have a basic understanding. Check out the range of Magic Men’s Melbourne hens ideas to help in your party planning.

How about the best man's speech?

There's no pressure for the best man's speech to be serious. The groom will then start introducing his best man to the guests, which is the final speech in the wedding's traditional speech order.

During his toast to the bridesmaids, the best man should gush over the bridegroom's wonderful fiancée. He should also read any telegrams or messages he has gathered for the couple in advance of the wedding.

These could be messages of congratulations from loved ones who couldn't make it, or he could go the extra effort and try to get messages from the couple's favourite celebrities.

Best man speeches are expected to be humorous, so don't be afraid to crack a few jokes. Try to ease your nerves by remembering that each person in the room is a friend who is there to hear your speech and is rooting for you to succeed.

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Conclusion

The best man is more than just a groomsman. On the wedding day, the groom can put his full faith in his best man. His job is to make sure that the wedding and all of the events leading up to it go off without a hitch.

Typically, the best man is a male relative or close friend of the groom. Most guys pick sibling or best bud, but dad works too.

There's no rule against asking your best female friend to be a bridesmaid. The best man is responsible for planning the bachelor party and getting the other groomsmen involved.

He's the supportive friend every groom needs to keep him from getting too worked up about the big day. The best man is also entrusted with the duty of safely storing the couple's wedding rings. Whenever a couple signs a legal document like a marriage licence, they must have two witnesses present.

For this step, the best man's presence is required, and he may be asked to sign his name. It is the best man's responsibility to make sure that everyone at the reception is having a good time.

It is your responsibility as best man to make sure the wedding party has a fantastic time. As long as you're not breaking the law, you're off-duty and free to go out and have fun. The best man's most important responsibility is to give a toast at the wedding.

At the altar, the best man is positioned closest to the groom. He should gush over the bridegroom's fiancée during his toast to the bridesmaids. Don't be shy about making people laugh during your best man speech.

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Content Summary

  • If the groom chooses to appoint a best man, that man will be responsible for helping the groom with a number of tasks leading up to and on the big day.
  • This is your official, all-inclusive guide to the normal duties and responsibilities of the best man.
  • The best man, like the maid of honour, is expected to carry out a number of responsibilities.
  • Once the best man accepts the position, he is expected to act as the groom's closest confidant before, all through, and after wedding.
  • To be asked to serve as best man at a wedding is an honour and a responsibility that should not be taken lightly.
  • The best man's responsibilities include, but are not limited to, organising the stag do, aiding in wedding preparations, guarding the rings on the big day, and giving the best man's speech.
  • The groom is also expected to help out with preparations and the afterparty.
  • The best man is the most trusted advisor to the groom on the big day.
  • The groom's best man is a friend or relative of the groom who has been asked to be by his side on his wedding day and to help out in any way they can.
  • In recent years, it has become more common to have two best men.
  • Having a best man's speech bounced off of another best man can be helpful.
  • While the best man's duties may change from celebration to wedding, there are a few tasks that always fall under his purview.
  • The best man's duties may include planning the groom's bachelor party, amassing funds to buy him a gift, and assisting the groom and his attendants in selecting formal attire for the wedding.
  • The best man is generally in charge of organising the bachelor party and enlisting the assistance of the other groomsmen, whether the event will take place on a yacht, at a golf course, or at a nightclub.
  • The best man usually takes the lead in acquiring a present for the groom if the groomsmen have opted to do so.
  • Make sure the groom and his groomsmen are on time.
  • The best man is traditionally responsible for keeping track of time on the wedding day to ensure that the groom and his groomsmen arrive on time.
  • The best man has the important responsibility of keeping the wedding rings secure.
  • Two witnesses are required when a couple signs their marriage licence; traditionally, the best man and maid of honour take on this responsibility.
  • The best man's presence is essential for this step, and he may even be asked to sign his name alongside the bride and groom on the marriage certificate.
  • When the bride and groom decide to have a toast, the best man is usually the first to speak.
  • It's common for the best man to be the first one on the floor after the first dance, especially if the couple did the dance.
  • The best man's job at the reception is to circulate among the guests and make sure everyone is having a great time.
  • At the reception, they can also start dancing with the bride, maid of honour, bride's mother, and groom's mother.
  • Make sure the happy couple and their guests are having a great time, and that everyone in the wedding party knows when and where they need to be.
  • And this is probably the biggest duty you have: Offering a speech as best man.
  • Following the typical wedding speech timeline, you should make your toast to the pair before introducing the maid of honour.
  • You and the other members of the wedding celebration can help the happy couple make their getaway special by decorating the getaway car.
  • During the ceremony, the best man is stationed nearest to the groom at the altar.
  • Check out the range of Magic Men's Melbourne hens ideas to help in your party planning.
  • There's no pressure for the best man's speech to be serious.

Frequently Asked Questions About Best Man

A groomsman (North America, Australasia) or usher (Britain, Ireland) is one of the male attendants to the groom in a wedding ceremony and performs the first speech at the wedding. Usually, the groom selects close friends and relatives to serve as groomsmen, and it is considered an honour to be selected.

Duties of a Best Man: A Simple Guide
  • Throwing The Stag & Bachelor Party. 
  • Attend The Rehearsal Dinner. 
  • Duties On The Wedding Day.
  • Keeping The Groom & Groomsmen On Schedule. 
  • Holding the Wedding Rings. 
  • Serve As a Witness (To Make the Marriage Official) 
  • Give a Toast. 
  • Keep The Reception Alive & Moving.

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Yes, the groom can have two best men—it's particularly common if a groom has two brothers, or if there are two grooms. However, since the best men may be handling responsibilities as a team, it's important to make sure that the chosen best men get along and can work well together.

Although you would think your presence is gift enough, the best man should also typically get the groom a gift—or organize a group gift from all the groomsmen—to celebrate his wedding.

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