Post # 1
Member
3 posts
Wannabee
Bees,
My fiance and I have a wonderful group of friends (mainly guys). Picking the best man between all of them would be hard to do. We’ve all been friends since we were young & it wouldn’t be fair. With that in mind, my fiance has the idea that he would ask his dad to be his best man.
Have you ever seen a wedding with this? Or done it yourself? I’m perfectly fine with it (it’s totally his decision), but I have a few logistics questions. Did the father of groom stand next to the other groomsmen? Or does he sit down with my fiance’s mom? He would be fine with the speech, but I’m sure I’m missing something else.
Any advice?
Thank you!
Post # 2
Member
138 posts
Blushing bee
My groom’s father was his best man. It was fitting since his dad is actually his best friend. He stood at the front where a best man would normally stand and gave a nice toast at the reception.
Post # 3
Member
1600 posts
Bumble bee
It is my understanding that this is very common and traditional in the southern United States. The best man from my parents’ wedding had his father be the best man at his wedding, and was also the best man at his son’s wedding. They are from Louisiana.
I wouldn’t think it’s odd. I think it’s very nice!
Post # 4
Member
552 posts
Busy bee
You could just not have a best man too…
Post # 5
Member
440 posts
Helper bee
My husband did this! He and his dad actually walked out together and stood at the front with our weddding officiant. then his four groomsmen and my four bridesmaids walked out in pairs. his dad gave a speech/toast during dinner.
Post # 6
Member
10416 posts
Sugar Beekeeper
If he’s the best man, I assume he would do everything a best man typically does – so yes he would stand up with the other groomsmen. I don’t think the logistics are any different than with any other best man. You are just overthinking it.
If he still wants to escort his wife down the aisle, he can do so and then circle back around to walk with the rest of the bridal party. My brother did this at my wedding. He escorted my mom down the aisle then just looped around real quick to walk down with a bridesmid. That’s really the only logistical difference I can think of.
Post # 7
Member
1355 posts
Bumble bee
curti2le : More times than not! Unless there is a bad relationship between the father and the groom (as was the case with my first husband and my cousin’s husband) then it is almost always the case. And if not the father, if there is a brother, he is next in line (which is what my ex and cousin’s husband did).
Post # 8
Member
2107 posts
Buzzing bee
I just went to a wedding a few weeks ago where the best man was the groom’s father. He did stand next to the groom during the ceremony. The mother of the groom wanted to be escorted down the aisle, so the groom walked out with her, helped her be seated, and went to stand at the front. He gave a lovely speech during dinner and it was really sweet to see the love between father and son.
Post # 9
Member
3814 posts
Honey bee
The best man usually stands next to the groom so I don’t see why this should be different! It’s sweet. If he’s unsure he could also just have all his friend as groomsmen and no best man.
Post # 10
Member
2668 posts
Sugar bee
This is not something that is done where I’m from, but if your Fiance wants to ask his father I don’t see why he shouldn’t. I would assume that he would fill the complete role of best man, which means standing at the front next to your Fiance, etc etc.
Another option is to just not have a best man, which is what my DH did. He had 3 groomsmen (my sister’s long-term SO who he sees like a brother and his 2 best friends) and said he couldn’t choose between them, so just kept them all as groomsmen. One stood next to him during the ceremony, one signed as his witness and the other sat next to him at the reception. I had my sister as Maid/Matron of Honor and no one thought it was strange.
Post # 11
Member
7638 posts
Bumble Beekeeper
I’ve never seen it, but why not? The FOG doesn’t usually have much to do, so you’re not diverting him anything important. I have seen the father of the groom sign the register, and give a speech (at two different weddings), so why not have him standing at the front during the ceremony too?
I imagine he’d stand with the other groomsmen. Since none of the other groomsmen stand with their partners (if they have partners), I don’t see why it’s a big deal.
Typically, at least in my experience, the groom’s family members (if they aren’t in the bridal party) all sit together in the front row on the groom’s side. So FI’s mother will more than likely have other family members to sit with, so she won’t be alone.
Post # 12
Member
487 posts
Helper bee
curti2le : my cousin’s husband’s father was his best man and I thought it was the sweetest thing ever. I’m pretty sure he stood up there with him and the groomsmen as they said their vows.