If there were ever a group that needed this article, I think it must be the best man. Yes, all those in the wedding party need to know where their boundaries and duties lie. The best man, however, usually needs the most help.

As the best man, your duties are rather limited. The ones you do have, however, are crucial. They can be the difference between the groom getting married or remaining a bachelor. For additional help, www.bridalblog.info is a great resource.

For starters, you are responsible for the rings. As a wedding consultant, I have been told time and again by various clergy that if there arent two things present, there wont be a ceremony. There must be a marriage license and there must be rings. If there is any doubt in your mind about your ability to remember the brides wedding ring as you are walking down the aisle, be sure to ask someone to help you remember. This someone should not be involved in the wedding in any other way, as they will have enough to remember on their own.

A second responsibility of the best man is to get the groom and yourself to the church on time and sober. This responsibility cannot be taken too lightly. Above all, you must be respectful to the institution of marriage. Allowing yourself or a groom to be tardy or inebriated is not being respectful. No matter how humorous you may find a drunk groom to be, it is not a laughing matter. If you have never been married, you may not really get the lack of humor here. If you dont believe me, ask a married friend, especially one that made this mistake. Im sure hell have some enlightening words for you.

A third responsibility is to give a toast. This toast is usually done at the rehearsal dinner the night before the wedding. Make sure you give this speech a good deal of thought. You can make the toast as humorous as you like. However, dont let any jokes come at the expense of anyone, especially the bride or her family.

On the day of the wedding, make sure you are respectful to everyone. No matter how much you may dislike anyone in the bridal party (including the bride) or the guests, dont let it show. The wedding day is not the day to allow a defensive pride to show. If someone tries to pick a fight with you or get you to drink more than you should, walk away. You dont want to be the one memorable person at the reception.

In conclusion, remember that the groom chose you as his best man for a reason. Maybe you are his father, maybe you are his life long friend, or maybe you are the one who introduced him to his bride. Whatever the reason, keep it in mind during the final week before the wedding. A respectable best man just may be the best gift the happy couple receives.

Pepper Montero