The Best Man's Handbook: From Ring to Reception

Steve Pitt is a Toronto-based freelance writer and an award-winning journalist. He has written many young adult and children's books, including Day of the Flying Fox: The True Story of World War II Pilot Charley Fox.

A forgotten ring. A botched toast to the bride. A groom lost somewhere
between the smoking wreckage of a bachelor’s party and a church filled
with expectant wedding guests. These are the horrible visions that haunt
the dreams of many a rookie best man’s dreams. Author Andre Garrison
writes user’s guides for a living. The first time he was asked to be a
best man at a wedding, he was dismayed to discover that he could not
find a single book that explained his duties and how to perform them. He
asked some friends for advice, but was ultimately forced to wing it. He
must have been a hit, because Garrison has since served as a best man
three more times.

For this handbook, Garrison has combined his own personal experiences
with input from other veterans. The book is laid out in a simple
“start to finish” format, with quick-reference chapter titles:
“The Best Man’s Responsibilities,” “The Bachelor Party,”
“The Groom,” “The Bride,” “Wedding Preparations,” “The
Ring,” “The Reception,” “The Emcee,” “Toasts and Speeches
(with samples),” “The Speech (with generic samples),” and “Other
Responsibilities.” Garrison explains how a best man’s duties are
supposed to be performed, then spices his lecture with the occasional
“worst-case scenario” or personal disaster story. Not surprisingly,
the bachelor party chapter contains the most disastrous incidents.

Garrison covers his subjects thoroughly, yet always keeps his prose
fresh and interesting. The sample toasts and wedding speeches alone are
a godsend to any best man who is the least bit shy about public
speaking. Nervous rookies or even seasoned veterans looking for a few
new ideas will find this guide well worth the price.