13 year old is Dad's best man

[Anonymous]

we to a wedding last fall where the 14 yr old son was the groom's best man. And he gave a simple but lovely (and well-prepared) toast. Basically a few soft jokes about the dad, a few lovely things about the bride, a welcome to the family. Cheer

[Anonymous]

I think it’s a wonderful idea and is indicative of a very good relationship. The typical best man responsibilities can be handed off to others.

[Anonymous]

My brother was a widower with three children and when he remarried his 12 year old son was his best man. He did a wonderful job and his best man speech was almost all about his new stepmother. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house.

[Anonymous]

I think that it's a very sweet gesture and shows how much the dad wants to celebrate the bond he has with his son as he takes on a new (?) wife and help the son feel connected to the new family. I would not try to micromanage the sons responsibilities in the wedding. I think the bride and groom can help decide what the son should be doing

[Anonymous]

Not weird. People can take different roles if they are inclined to. Not everyone should attempt to have a 13 year old as a best man because it does not make sense.

[Anonymous]

Great sign he’s telling his son he’s not going to drop him for his new family

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not weird, makes sense for him to want his son to be part of the wedding. He’s too old to be a ring bearer.

I asked him if he was giving a speech and he had no idea that best men give speeches...!

This sounds like a pretty non traditional event. Are you sure that his father intends for him to make a speech or are you just trying to ruin the experience for your son and his father?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think that it's a very sweet gesture and shows how much the dad wants to celebrate the bond he has with his son as he takes on a new (?) wife and help the son feel connected to the new family. I would not try to micromanage the sons responsibilities in the wedding. I think the bride and groom can help decide what the son should be doing

This.

[Anonymous]

We're you not married to his Dad? People can play weddings any way they like. The one rule is there are no rules....except maybe send a thank you note for gifts.

[Anonymous]

My stepsons were my husbands’ best men. (I didn’t have bridesmaids.). We also said a vow to them as well as to each other when we got married. One of them gave a speech at the rehearsal dinner—they gave me a necklace from my MIL that I wore at the wedding. I gave a toast to them (and gave them each a gift) at the wedding reception.
More than a decade letter, we’re all still good and they have happy memories of the night.

[Anonymous]

It's very sweet.

[Anonymous]

My first reaction to the title of this post, before I opened it, was oh that is so sweet. So no, I don't think it's weird at all, I think it's a wonderful way for the dad to include his son in a special way on his special day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The groomsmen have a role to play with things like helping guests to seats, rounding up the right people for group photos. A 13-year-old is a child, not a man.

Oh for crying out loud, have the groomsmen, ushers, or other family or friends play that role. You're ridiculous.

[Anonymous]

100% normal. Obviously they will adjust the role from what a brother or best friend would do, but I personally think this is exactly how a dad should approach remarrying if he has a kid old enough to really get it.

[Anonymous]

Echoing others that I think it is lovely.