In more modern times, a best man has exactly one job for a wedding: organise a bucks party that’s outrageous enough to be talked about in weeks to come but responsible enough to have everyone home in one piece.
Other than that, turning up to the wedding in time and looking after the rings are added bonuses. You know, nice little things you can do for your friend.
But it turns out the role of a best man wasn’t always so cruisy. And interestingly, it wasn’t always a job given to the groom’s best mate.
One theory says that the best man originated in Medieval Germany, long before the tradition of bucks nights (and weekends for that matter) came about.
In those days, of course, marriage didn’t have a whole lot to do with love. Instead, it’s believed men who had decided on who he wanted to marry would essentially have to kidnap their future wives if her family did not approve of the impending nuptials.
In the days of the Germanic Goths, it was preferable for men to marry women within their community. However, if women were in short supply, the men would have to head to a neighbouring community and capture a bride from there. This operation, naturally, would take more than person to carry out.
A study shows being a bridesmaid is the equivalent of a full week’s work. Is it time to ditch them?
This is where the best man comes in.
The future groom would enlist the help of the best man to help, and for this reason, wouldn’t always pick his best friend. Often, it would be the best sword fighter.
This also explains why he stands next to the groom, acting as a kind of bodyguard until the vows had been exchanged. Just in case, you know, the captive bride plans on escaping.
With the dark origins of the concept emerging, perhaps elaborate bucks parties aren’t so bad after all.
