What are my responsibilities as best man?

Question

The wedding is in Vegas and I'm the best man! I expect some toasts and some bachelor party etc - but what else should I prepare for? Thanks!

Answer 1

TALK THAT FOOL OUT OF IT!!!

Answer 2

As best man, you may think you're just a glorified groomsman, but guess what? You actually have special responsibilities -- you'll be a combination valet and hand-holder as you help the groom come through this nerve-racking experience with flying colors. As leader of the groom's posse, you'll:


Serve as the groom's personal aide and adviser before and during the wedding. This can include helping him pack for the honeymoon (the valet part).


Help the groom choose and rent (or buy) wedding formalwear, and coordinate the other groomsmen's rentals. You guys are supposed to match, after all! You may be expected to arrange accommodations for out-of-town groomsmen.It's your job to corral
the other groomsmen and make sure
they're performing their duties.



Organize the bachelor party. Don't be shy about enlisting other groomsmen to help you out -- most guys don't mind this duty! Put financial worries out of your mind -- the cost should be split among everyone who attends the bash.


Attend the rehearsal with the bride and groom and all the other attendants. This is your chance to figure out how you're supposed to walk down that aisle.


Stand beside the groom at the altar and keep the bride's ring until vows are exchanged. Find a safe place for the ring (and triple check that your pockets don't have holes) -- you don't want to fumble around when it's time to whip it out.


Corral the other groomsmen and make sure they're performing their duties.


Sign the marriage license as a witness after the ceremony, along with the maid of honor.


Give the officiant a sealed envelope with his or her fee (the groom's responsibility) just after the ceremony.


You may be announced with the maid of honor when the reception begins.


Dance with both the honor attendant and the bride during the wedding party dances.


Give the first toast to the bride and groom at the reception. This is your biggest -- and probably most frightening -- duty. Remember the cardinal rule: Mum's the word on the bachelor bacchanalia.


Collect any gift envelopes guests bring to the reception. You may be asked to deposit them in the couple's bank account or at least to keep them until the couple returns from their honeymoon.


Decorate the getaway mobile. Grab the other groomsmen and the bridesmaids for this one.


Drive the couple to the wedding-night hotel or airport after the reception. If you perform this service, you'll need to stay sober throughout the reception. If you have a feeling this may not be possible, hire a limo to drive the couple into the sunset.

The wedding will be over in the blink of an eye, so remember to enjoy yourself at the reception. After all, you're there to celebrate the happiest day of your best friend's life.

For help with the toast:

Planning
Advance planning is the first step to giving the perfect toast. Write down what you're going to say. It's wonderful to improvise, but if the spontaneity bug doesn't bite as you stare down at a hundred expectant faces, you won't live it down for years. Reading your toast word-for-word is also a no-no: Use note cards to write an outline or key words that will prompt you with your toast (though you may want to give the happy couple a written copy of the entire toast. More on that later). If you need help organizing your toast, look at "Content" below.

Practice ahead of time. Say your toast out loud a few times to get used to the idea. Practicing will also let you know how long your toast is. Three or four minutes may seem like a lifetime at first, but you'll be the envy of any Toastmaster after a few run-throughs.


Content
Wondering how to show you really care about your buddy? The exact words are up to you, but you can follow this formula to get started:

You can end -- or begin -- with a quote. Look at 25 Great Quotes for inspiration.

Thank the parents of the bride and groom if they paid for the event. If the bride and groom are footing the bill themselves, thank them for inviting everyone to share the big day.

Identify yourself and your relationship to the bride and groom (not everyone will know who you are).

Tell a touching yet humorous story about how the newlyweds first met.


Relate an amusing, and maybe even embarrassing, story about your escapades with the groom.

End with a message of hope and congratulate the blushing bride and proud groom.

Finally, upon pain of terrible embarrassment, do not:



Tell ex-girlfriend-of-the-groom stories.


Make fun of the bride.


Tell risqué jokes -- the groom's grandmother will probably be there.


Tell "in" jokes that most guests won't understand.


Ramble on about how you'll miss the good old days.


Make the groom look like a slacker, loser, or drunkard.



Giving the Toast
You'll know it's time to wag your silver tongue when the MC announces you at the beginning of the reception (or after dinner, depending on the wedding schedule). Once you're clutching the microphone, what next? Follow these tips and you won't go wrong:



Be prepared. Don't think you'll come up with something witty at the last second. You may end up staring like a deer in headlights as the wedding guests squirm in their seats.


Speak slowly. Don't rush through your speech, and try to speak as clearly as you can.


Speak loudly enough for even Great Uncle Jed to hear you.


Keep it brief: five minutes, tops. If you sense audience restlessness, wrap it up.


Don't stare at your notes -- engage your audience. Look not only at the bride and groom, but at the rest of the audience, too.


Guests expect to be entertained, not instructed, so don't try to force-feed a life lesson down their throats. Keep it sweet and light.


Stay (relatively) sober. You don't want to be remembered as the smarmy guy who made off-color jokes about the groom's mother. One drink of liquid courage may help you with your toast. Five will definitely hinder you.


One last tip: Write out your toast and give it to the bride and groom. They'll be touched that you cared so much.

Answer 3

holding the ring -if no ring bearer, the reception toast, dancing with the Maid of Honor, and of coarse the bachelor party.

Answer 4

the bachelor party....and a speech at the reception before the toast.

Answer 5

bachelor party, keep ring at the ceromany until asked for,make sure suits are organised,the room for the bride & groom are organised, & the toast at the reception is what i can think of.

Answer 6

Also a nice gift for the bride and groom to remember their special day if you can afford it might be kind of nice, maybe something from Vegas when you get there. Have a blast!

Answer 7

Toast at the reception and safeguarding the ring

Answer 8

To throw a bitching bachelor party and get your man laid one last time before he marries, and to give a funny and moving speech at the recital and you should probably offer to help in some way by taking on one responsibility!

Answer 9

Throw a kick a** bachelor party!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 10

Make sure u don't loose the rings