A friend asked me to be best man at his second wedding. What's the protocol or duties. Anything expected that I don't know about? We're older now so I'd expect to not have some childish party. None of us drink or anything like that. I'm lost on this one.

As a side note I was also in his first wedding, but not as best man and I think he asked me this time to make up for that. He lived in Florida at the time and wasn't sure I could make the trip.

I'm guessing you'll have to give a speech about how great he his, and how his new bride is much better than his first...

quote:

Originally posted by ASKSmith:
I'm guessing you'll have to give a speech about how great he his, and how his new bride is much better than his first...

I only agreed to it with the understanding that I don't do public speaking.

He still tried to wiggle a speech in. Nixed. Maybe he regrets asking.

quote:

and how his new bride is much better than his first...

lol.

i dunno mark, some long tirade on his first old lady could be pretty epic.

Hold the ring on wedding day and hand it to the groom at the proper time. Be the "fixer" on the wedding day. And it's your call, but a great gift would be a short speech since it's hard for you.

There will still be responsibilites, but likely paired down assuming the wedding is paired down as it's a 2nd marriage for both. Here is a checklist.

Bachelor parties don't have to be drunken orgies. For example, you could rent a bay at the range for an afternoon followed by a cookout. I had one buddy who liked hot wings and liked to laugh. We took him out for wings and a comedy club where the headliner was a clean comic.

Just don't try to prove it.

I went on a 2 day river rafting trip (Arkansas River, Brown's canyon) for a bachelor party. I doubt that is up your alley, but like T-Todd said, they don't have to be drunken orgies...think outside the box.

Work out some wording for a short speech, run it past the groom and bride. Say it, propose the toast, then let them preside the rest of the day.

A small party - maybe a BBQ, maybe a restaurant - would be appropriate for the "bachelor" festivities. The wedding party for a 2nd marriage usually isn't as large.

You might be able to have the BBQ at one of the sites you service for your business - lets you show off your abilities.

My best man (my brother) helped me get my tux on which was a big help, holding the jacket up so I could slip it on, etc.

Hit the shooting range and then stop for beer & bbq?

Ask your friend what he expects.

I told my brother all I wanted was him standing by my side and a short speech.

No shooting, he's a liberal. No bbq, he's vegan.

Dang I guess you could hit up a natural food place and do wheat grass shots after an antifa riot

Doesn't eat meat, doesn't eat dairy, doesn't drink, doesn't shoot, doesn't like logic - what the heck does the guy like?

plan a bachelor party or a night out of something. DOesnt have to be crazy. Hold ring, go to dress rehearsal, the usual.

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Originally posted by lkdr1989:
Dang I guess you could hit up a natural food place and do wheat grass shots after an antifa riot

Haha!

Make sure guys friends behave and that the groom shows up on time.

Preferably with the ring.

My only (3 marriages 4 weeddings) bachelor's started with explaining to a cop that the screaming fool reported was now passed out in the back seat and ended with a US Dep Marshal being beat down with a cue ball.

And remember you can never wash all the stripper dust off.....

Go do something fun. If shooting and alcohol are out, how about a camping trip, boat outing, fishing trip, etc?

.

Source: (www.CNN.com/2008/LIVING/wayoflife/06/27/wedding.traditions/index.html?_s=PM:LIVING)

The original duty of a "Best Man" was to serve as armed backup for the groom in case he had to resort to kidnapping his intended bride away from disapproving parents.

The "best" part of that title refers to his skill with a sword, should the need arise. You wouldn't want to take the "just okay" member of your weapon-wielding posse with you to steal yourself a wife, would you?

The best man stands guard next to the groom right up through the exchange of vows and later, outside the newlyweds' bedroom door, just in case anyone should attack or if a non-acquiescent bride should try to make a run for it.

It's said that feisty groups like the Huns, Goths, and Visigoths took so many brides by force that they kept a cache of weapons stored beneath the floorboards of churches for convenience.

Modern-day best men are more likely to store an emergency six-pack at the ceremony for convenience, but the title remains an apt one.