Before we begin let's take a quick look at the origins of the role. The duty of best man can be traced back to Anglo-Saxon times where a man who wanted a woman from another village as his bride would take along a trusted friend to help kidnap the poor girl (beats paying a dowry!) and then the best man would provide protection at the wedding, by standing guard to the right of the groom at the alter (keeping his sword hand free) from aggrieved relatives trying to reclaim the family member.

Others attribute the origin of best man as a Gentleman's second at a duel ? a trusted companion who would off support (and probably first aid) as his friend tried to shoot/slash his foe.

You will be pleased to hear that the role of best man nowadays doesn't include the probability of a fight (though I'm told is does happen). The role of best man today is an altogether more genteel duty. Essentially you are there to assist the groom in the planning preparation and running of the wedding.

Some of you duties may include

Organising Transport
Renting Tuxedo / Morning Suit
Supervising the Ushers / Groomsmen.
Planning the Stag Party
Delivering a quality speech.
Getting the happy couple onward to their honeymoon
Remain at all times charming and unruffled.

If you have been asked to be a best man, don't be nervous ? its one of the great things to do for a good friend.

Mike Bromley runs a wedding gift information website http://www.1weddinggifts.co.uk, and would appreciate a visit if you liked this article.

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