So you've been asked to be in your buddy's wedding, and of course you said yes. Then you realized - what did I get myself into? There's the bachelor party, the wedding ceremony - and what else? The answer is - it depends. Your exact role will be decided by the bride and groom (ok, the bride). But there are three basic types of jobs for guys in the wedding: best man, groomsman, or usher.
If you're the best man, you're like the team captain of the groomsmen. You know how the bride has a maid of honor? You're the same thing for the groom - his go-to guy for anything he needs. Your specific duties:
- Planning the Bachelor Party
- Razzing the Groom on D-Day (and Keeping Him Calm)
- Holding the Wedding Rings
- Giving a Toast at the Reception
Basically, you get to be there for your bro - before and during the ceremony. But you don't do it all alone. The groomsmen are your back-ups. Together, you traditionally help out by:
- Paying for the Bachelor Party
- Attending All the Wedding Events
- Posing for Pictures
- Standing up with the Groom
- Directing Guests to Wedding Venues and/or Events
- Greeting Guests as They Arrive at the Events
- Dancing with the Bridesmaids (and Other Women)
- Decorating the Couple's Car
Last, you could be an usher. The job is exactly what it sounds like - you show people to their seats at the ceremony. Remember front sections should be reserved for the immediate family and grandparents. In the end the bride and groom will give you instructions on who is to sit where. Other tasks:
- Wait at the door/ entrance to the venue to escort each guest in
- Show each lady to her seat by offering your right arm
- Ask if she is a Relative/Friend of the Bride or Groom then proceed to guide her to the appropriate side
Not so bad, is it? Dress like James Bond, dance with the ladies, have some fun. In traditional weddings, this is the bulk of your job. But you might be asked to do some other stuff, like helping with the wedding planning. If so, just suck it up and act like the seating chart actually is the great dilemma of the decade - in front of the bride, anyway. At least you can suggest which hot bridesmaid gets the seat next to you.
Remember, it might seem like a lot of (sometimes unnecessary) work, but it's an honor to be asked. And one other thing - you know your bud will return the favor when it's your turn.
