Photo: Alison Conklin Photography
Now that you've asked your best man to be in the wedding party, the next step is to let him know what you'd like him to do. To help, our wedding etiquette experts have put together a comprehensive list of responsibilities in our daily post.
What are the best man's duties? We'd like to give ours a helpful list of things to do.
The best man is your groom's right-hand man, so his responsibilities all revolve around lightening your guy's load before and during the wedding. The best man's duties include:
• Help the groom choose and rent (or buy) wedding formalwear, and coordinate the other groomsmen's rentals. The best man may also be asked to help arrange accommodations for out-of-town groomsmen.
• Organize the bachelor party (but recruit the other groomsmen to help). Also, the cost should be split among everyone who attends the festivities.
• Attend the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner.
• Keep an eye on the clock the morning of the wedding to ensure the groom and all the groomsmen get to the ceremony venue on time.
• At the ceremony, hold on to the wedding rings for safekeeping.
• Serve as a witness during the marriage-license signing.
• Give the officiant his fee (placed in a sealed envelope) after the ceremony.
• Offer the first toast to the newlyweds at the reception (his biggest responsibility!).
• Mingle at the reception to make sure guests are having a good time; dance with the maid-of-honor.
• Collect any gifts and cards guests may bring to the reception. Ask the bride and groom (before the wedding) where they'd like you to store the presents.
• Decorate the getaway car (again, enlist the groomsmen and bridesmaids to help!).
• Drive the couple to the wedding-night hotel or airport after the reception. (Don't forget that if you're going to do this, you'll need to stay sober throughout the reception.)