Becoming the best man for a wedding is an honor. The role is given to someone the groom trusts. He believes you will be helpful during the planning process and on the big day. With that honor comes responsibility. If you’ve been asked to fill this important role, here are some tips to help you succeed.
Be a Good Listener
The prospective groom is likely to have a lot of thoughts and feelings leading up to his wedding day. Weddings can be emotional times for couples. He will likely be under a lot of stress with the planning process for the wedding, dealing with relatives, and setting up a new life.
He may get cold feet or become overwhelmed with nerves. He may start questioning his capabilities. Be a good listener and try to be understanding. Reassure him that everything will be alright and lend a shoulder to cry on if need be. He will appreciate your support.
Plan the Bachelor Party
It is traditional for the groom to go out and party with his closest friends before the wedding. It is also part of the tradition that the best man is in charge of planning the bachelor party. The friends involved will chip in for all the costs.
Discuss with the groom who he wants to be at the bachelor party. Although you will be organizing it, the choice of guests should be his. This should be just a small group.
Once you have the list down, talk to the guests and discuss your budget. With that in mind, research the options that you know will appeal to the groom. This might include a night out on the town, a day at sea, or getting a complete professional bachelor party service at a vacation rental. The latter will mean the service will provide your transportation, food, and activities. Choose activities that the groom enjoys.
Let the groom then choose among the options. Whatever he wants, try to make it happen. Just be sure to get approval from the bride first and ensure that no one gets out of hand during the party. The goal is to have fun while still being respectful.
Help with Wedding Preparations
The groom is going to need all the help he can get in the weeks and days leading up to his wedding. Offer your assistance but be careful not to impose. Remember that the bride and groom are stressed out and your help can easily be misunderstood as meddling. Just let them know you are available for whatever tasks they may need help with.
You can also be the coordinator for the entourage, to get them to help as well. Work with the maid of honor. She can coordinate with the bridesmaids and you with the groomsmen. By joining forces, you can ease up the load on the marrying couple.
Prepare Your Speech
The best man speech is one of the most important duties of the best man. This is your opportunity to honor the couple and share some stories about them. Be careful not to overshare, though. Keep embarrassing details between you and your buddy.
Start by writing down some notes about the couple. What are some of your favorite memories of them? What makes them special? Write down anything you think would be appropriate to share during the speech. Then, practice delivering the speech.
Get the Groom to the Ceremony on Time
The groom will likely be a bundle of nerves on his wedding day. He may not be able to think straight. It will be your job to make sure he is where he needs to be when he needs to be there. This includes getting him dressed, in the car, and to the ceremony on time.
You must also check that he has everything he needs, especially the wedding rings. If they are going on their honeymoon right after the wedding, check that their tickets and all required documents are in their carryall.
Be Prepared for Anything
Anything can happen on a wedding day, no matter how much planning has been done. As the best man, you must be ready for anything. This includes being ready with an emergency kit. In it, have items like a needle and thread, safety pins, Band-Aids, aspirin, tissue, deodorant, a comb, and gum. These will come in handy should anyone need them.
You should also be familiar with the wedding program. Even if they have a wedding coordinator, be ready to lend a hand as needed. For instance, you are familiar with the groom’s relatives while the wedding coordinator is not. It is helpful to know where the key people are sitting so you can easily find them if needed.
Lastly, always remember that the day is not about you. It is about the groom and bride. Support them and make sure they have everything they need on their special day.
By following these tips, you can be the most excellent best man the groom could ask for. Help him out, be prepared for anything, and give a great speech. Most importantly, enjoy the day and celebrate the beginning of your friend’s new life.
