By Jason Hennessey

So the groom has broken the all-important news to you. You are going to be the best man in the biggest day of his life. What an honor, you must be thinking. Of all his friends and close-knit group of buddies, I am on top. But once the impact of the news sink into your brain, you get to realize that it has as much to do with honor as it has with the belief he has in your abilities. This is because being the best man is not the easiest of tasks.

Looking at friends, it means he has weighed and evaluated you as the person who can effectively hack it and thus entrusted it to you. Your skills in leadership of the groom army of soldiers known as the groomsmen get its first test during the pre-wedding. From the very start, your ability should never be caught wanting. Remember this is a pale shadow of the main task so the slightest mess up will greatly dent your credentials. Next in line comes the stag or bachelor party. Though not solely on you, you play a very significant role. Being just but a ‘servant’ of the groom, consult him in all your planning as he is the one who knows best how best to say goodbye to the bachelor club.

As the team leader of your legion of groomsmen, the tuxedos and everything else to be adorned by them during the material day should be to perfection. This is your responsibility. Make sure they get all the specifications if they are going to be getting them individually but if possible, go get all of them yourselves and tailor them to each of them. You also have a role in advising the groom on what to wear but that’s just your role, to advice. What he wants wear is his absolute prerogative but you suggestions could come in handy.

Be on the alert for anything unexpected. You have to be in possession of all important or emergency numbers should anything go out of line of the planned proceedings. The bridal party numbers, the minister, the ring bearer and the sort. Stuff happens and they might be late or circumstances might hinder their appearance. Have a plan B in place. Before the material day, you have to organize your team to get the chapel decorated and spruced up, the reception venue in order and all that goes with it and the guest sitting arrangements.

The material day should not get you napping. Whether it is in sitting guests, the photo shoot, order of proceedings or delivering that keynote speech that you should have prepared earlier, military precision is paramount. You should always be in charge lest you embarrass the groom and his bride. And of course your gait and the way you hold your head and general appearance. As much as it is not your day, it won’t hurt to impress a lass or two for future reference. Make sure during both the ceremony and the reception, your men are in charge and all the conveniences of the groom and his girl like the get-away car are ready and waiting. Make it a day worth remembering.