Tips for Filling Your Role as Best Man

Often, the focus of a wedding is on the bride and her maid of honor, but the best man has duties, as well. When you've been chosen as a best man, you'll need to focus on filling your role and taking the pressure off the groom. Weddings are stressful for everyone involved, and it's your job to make sure that things go as smoothly as possible. You may want to coordinate with the maid of honor to make sure everything is taken care of, even if you don't know her very well. Following are a few tips for filling your role as best man.

Plan an Appropriate Bachelor Party
Just because you're excited at the prospect of offensive decorations and three strippers doesn't mean that the groom shares your desires. Talk with the groom about what he would like to do at his bachelor party and plan accordingly. As the best man, it is your job to make sure that the groom has everything that he wants -- not everything that you want. You should also take into consideration the bachelor party guest list. If older men are going to be present, make sure that the party is appropriately tasteful.

Handle the Tuxedos
As the best man, your role includes being responsible for the rest of the groomsmen, including your tuxedos. You will need to be present at the fittings and be ready to pick them up on the day of the wedding or the day before. Make sure you talk to the groom about how they will be paid for and that you return them to the proper place after the wedding. You might also be responsible for handling the wedding rings, which should be handled with great care. Make sure you don't lose anything -- keep a list if it helps.

Help the Maid of Honor
Although the maid of honor will have her own duties to the bride, you should help her with any tasks that she can't manage on her own. It might be helpful, as mentioned above, if you and the maid of honor coordinate your efforts. As the best man, you will probably be blamed if anything goes wrong, so be prepared to put on your responsibility hat.