Friends, with wedding preparations underway, I expect to encounter more bizarre origins of this sacred tradition. Luckily for you, I’m prone to share.
Talk about your runaway brides — the original duty of a “Best Man” was to serve as armed backup for the groom in case he had to resort to kidnapping his intended bride away from disapproving parents. The “best” part of that title refers to his skill with a sword, should the need arise.
The best man stands guard next to the groom right up through the exchange of vows (and later, outside the newlyweds’ bedroom door), just in case anyone should attack or if a non-acquiescent bride should try to make a run for it.
-Excerpt from this CNN article.
