Have you recently been chosen by a friend or a family to best them at their wedding and you have no idea of what to do? Maybe you have even searched online and all you got was the best man duties that sound foreign and alien to you? You are not alone. In this short article, I will be demystifying the role of the best man in the NIGERIAN setting. Stay with me...

Hello everyone! My name is Adekola Taiwo. I am a wedding photographer based in Ibadan, Nigeria. I am also a wedding and events consultant and I share free wedding tips on my instagram and nairaland page every week.

My Instagram page is @Timagex_bridal_clicks. Please, show some love.

This week, we will be focusing on the role of the Nigerian best man.



　　Who is the best man? Being the best man literally means, out of all the male friends of the groom, you are the best of the men, so, it’s an honour. The groom must have seen something special in you for you to best him on one of the most important days of his life. Remember, “with great title, comes great responsibility”
　　
　　It is a fact that, the role of the best man differs due to diversity in traditions, cultures, religions, etc, but, here, I will be focused on being a best man in Nigeria(yoruba setting with a little sprinkle of Christianity religion), because, that is what I am conversant with.
　　
　　(NOTE: THESE POINTS ARE BORNE OUT OF MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCES IN MY SEVEN YEARS AS WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER IN NIGERIA)
　　
As an event and wedding photographer in Nigeria, some of the qualities I have noticed in best men are:
1.They are usually good looking and fashionable. Some are even more good looking than the groom. I have never met a ugly best man.
2. They are extroverts. They like parties and stuffs. I have never met a shy best man.
3. They know the story of the love journey of the couple and always tease the groom at every opportunity.. One was giving the best man’s speech and he was talking about how he ‘gingered’ the groom and gave him sure format to go and toast the bride. It was so funny.
4. They can dance. They usually lead the way when the new couple come into the reception as a couple.

Do not be afraid if you come short of any of these qualities. I'm an introvert myself. You will do just fine.

So, back to the functions of the best man. (THESE POINTS DO NOT FOLLOW ANY PARTICULAR ORDER)

　　The best man begins to function immediately he is notified of his role. So, the first point is,
　　
1. THE BEST MAN HELPS AND ASSISTS IN PREPARING FOR THE WEDDING.
He assists the groom in choosing colours/themes and designs of attires, shoes, etc

2.THE BEST MAN IS THE LEADER OF THE GROOMS MEN.
Just as the bride is going to have a bridal train, the groom also moves with his groomsmen. The leader of the groomsmen is the best man. He coordinates all the activities and serves as the spokesperson of the groom.

3. THE BEST MAN PUTS THE MICROPHONE CLOSE TO THE MOUTH OF THE GROOM DURING THE EXCHANE OF VOWS. (NIGERIAN THING)
This point sounds so Nigerian. In the church, during the exchange of vows, the groom is required to hold the pamphlet containing the vows and repeat the vows after the officiating minister. The best man holds the microphone close to the mouth of the groom so as to illuminate the voice of the groom.

4. PROSTRATE (DOBALE) WITH THE GROOM DURING TRADITIONAL CEREMONY.
The best man is usually part of the entourage when the groom wants to go and ask for the hand of the bride in marriage the traditional way. He is required to also prostrate and do little activities that are sometimes financial. You gerrit? Furthermore, let's assume the ‘alaga iduro’ fines the groom for a misconduct, the best must help a comrade in trouble. These parts are always interesting. Make sure you have enough cash on you o!


5. THE BEST MAN SERVES AS THE CONSELLOR AND CONFIDANT OF THE GROOM.
It is part of the duties of the best man to reassure the groom occasionally and ginger him. At some points during the wedding ceremony, it is normal for the groom to be fed up/ confused or even nervous. It is part of the duties of the best man to reassure him that everything is going to be fine. The best man also doubles as the counselor and the confidant of the groom.

6. SOMETIMES, THE BEST MAN IS IN CHARGE OF THE GROOMS PHONE.
This one is negligible. But, most times, the phone of the groom stays with the best man, because, the groom has to focus.

7. THEY WATCH OUT FOR THE EXE’S OF THE GROOM WHO MIGHT SHOW UP TO CAUSE WAHALA.
Please, don’t laugh. I am very serious here. Do you know that, it is the duty of the best man to spot, neutralize and dismiss any ex of the groom who might attend the wedding with the sole aim of causing wahala? A best man gave me this point when I asked him why he was looking around with suspicious eyes all through the ceremony. No chances must be taken. Start doing push ups o!

8. THEY KEEP EMERGENCY KIT ON THEM. STUFFS LIKE EXTRA FACE TOWEL, BODY SPRAY, ETC
You will never know when you need to wipe a sweat off the groom or spray the atmosphere. Just be at alert.

9.THEY SERVE AS THE LAST POINT OF CONTACT BEFORE YOU GET TO THE GROOM.
People will always look for the groom because of one thing or the other. The best man deals with such issues and only involves the groom when it is absolutely necessary.

10. THEY KEEP AN EYE ON THE GROOM AT THE BACHELOR PARTY AND CARRY HIM HOME IF HE GETS DRUNK.
This is self explanatory. Never you leave the groom behind.

11. HOLD THE RING AND GIVE THE RING TO THE GROOM AT THE ALTER.
I have personally witnessed a situation where the little ring bearer did not want to give the ring to the pastor! I don’t know why. But, most times, the rings stay with the best man for safe keeping.

12. THE BEST MAN PROPOSES THE TOAST.
Go and learn how to propose a proper toast o!

13. THEY ALSO SIGN PART OF THE MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE.
The best man serves as one of the legal witnesses by signing a section of the marriage certificate before it is being presented to the couple by the officiating minister. This should not be a problem.


14. THE BEST MAN MIGHT BE CALLED UPON TO GIVE A SPEECH AT THE RECEPTION.
This is known as the best man’s speech. The speech usually contains insights into the love life of couple before the wedding, how they met, his own role in settling disputes when they fought, etc and sometimes, the best man uses it an avenue for vote of thanks. The speech usually ends with a toast.

15. THE BEST MAN SOMETIMES CONDUCTS THE ORDER OF PHOTOGRAPHS.
Please, as the best man, try your best to ease the burden of the photographer as this critical moment. The photographer will be grateful.

16. THE BEST MAN GOES HOME WITH THE CHIEF BRIDES MAID AFTER THE WEDDING! No be me talk am o. But, anything can happen. You gerrit?


There is nothing really hard in being the best man. Just be confident and go with the flow. YOU WILL DO JUST FINE. I PROMISE.


HOWEVER, AS THE BEST MAN, PLEASE,
1. Do not come to the wedding and start forming frosh and start doing “igberaga”. If you know all you will be doing is press phone, please, don’t take the best man role. You were chosen to serve, not to be served.

2. If you will be rude to the vendors like telling the photographer that you are not sure he is a professional, or calling the caterer a compound fool because she didn’t serve your friends on time, don’t do it.

3. If you cannot ginger the groom and bring good vibes, don’t do it. Don’t come and be behaving like you were being forced. Be humble.

4. Don’t try to outshine the groom. We know say you fine. We know you can speak phonetically heavy english. We also know you can dance. Do all, but, don’t outdo the groom. Wisdom is profitable to direct.

5. Do not leave your post and start directing who should get rice or semo. Have some dignity.

That’s it for this week!

Past best men in the house should help us add to the tips in case we missed any.

Next week will be for the chief brides maid! Watch out! Thanks for your time! I remain Timagex. Your favourite wedding photographer. Bye for now...

cc FuckHomophobes go through this sir.

cc lalasticlala cc mynd44 please, help us move this to the promise land to help future bestmen.

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Omouexx thank you so very much for this.... I have picked a lot from it.

That No 7 ehn . His ex would be coming tomorrow. Make I go prepare.

Thanks again for the great job sir. Nice thread

FuckHomophobes:
Omouexx thank you so very much for this.... I have picked a lot from it.

That No 7 ehn . His ex would be coming tomorrow. Make I go prepare.

Thanks again for the great job sir. Nice thread

You are welcome boss....I wish you luck.

Further more, immediately you spot the ex, alert all the grooms men and call for backup!

God bless you bro
Though, I performed the roles some weeks ago , all you highlight here is in line with it. Thanks very much, but as for me I no danced very well.

adeoyekay:
God bless you bro
Though, I performed the roles some weeks ago , all you highlight here is in line with it. Thanks very much, but as for me I no danced very well.

Amen sir.

So, did you later go home with the chief brides maid?

Timagex:


Amen sir.

So, did you later go home with the chief brides maid?

Haaaaa

Am a pastor I didn't

adeoyekay:
Haaaaa

Am a pastor I didn't

I see.

Timagex:


I see.

[i][/i]

Na office?

Don't make me remember that movie "Best Man"

beach wedding with just 20 people or nothing

His duty is to hold handkerchief and be cleaning sweat on the groom's face.

Number 7 is the main duty of a good bestman.

Noted

Ah no sure say they get duty for Nigeria unless na to lash the chief bridesmaid. That's the only duty.

Okay. Modified. Point number 7 is key! For this reason, I think I will need at least 3 best men to secure every corner. �

And the num1 duty of the bridemaid is to knack the groom a day to the wedding.....

My only duty is to knack the best lady

Interesting..

To allow the husband rock another ynash without snitching on him as per bro code.......

Ok

Never been a best man before and will never be ,I got married before all my friends

Best man duty is just to be there for your Hommie or brother getting married. And if you are still single then keep skemping for the next hottest babe in your friends wife bridal train as all their bloods dey hot to get married as one of them is about to fashy them for life or almost ever.


Woman are wired differently don’t worry. Single guys goes to weddings because they are invited, the booze and chicks.

Na there you go see Bannys with Boobs bigger than 2 heads fitting into their lovely native attires. And Ass and curves of a goddess fitting into their lovely native attires.



You’ll see foodies, premium oloshos depending if the guy is a baller or his wife to be has a touch of Hoelism. But everybody will be there with their various missions for mind. And the representative of EX’s that can’t attend for their safety reasons



So you the best man, stand firm for your guy, and if you have money, not really to impress but spray your guy well. Honor that best man duty to dey clean him face or listen to his orders on how to keep his visitors comfortable too, but importantly spray your guy money and all the bridal train them go wet before wedding end.

If there’s an after party all the good,bad and ugly at the event will want to rock you openly and on the low.



So enough knacking but no go knack and dump your future wife as that’s part of the disadvantages


Flex your life joor, e no too serious.


Single life is good but you see being married to a woman that understands you is bliss.


Make una pardon my typos, I no get power to read Wetin I write or else I fit delete all.


If you get it, good and if you don’t get it? it’s okay as well.