Best Man in France?

Telergic · Dec 4, 2013

No, this has nothing to do with D'Artagnan.

Do the French have the tradition of a "best man" at a wedding? If so, how common is the tradition, and how old is it in France? If not, is there any other special role a groom's best friend might be expected to play anywhere along the way from the engagement to the wedding?

Cath · Dec 5, 2013

Did you try Googling? Because I found the answer very easily.

Try search terms 'Best Man' and 'French Wedding'.

Ladybird · Dec 5, 2013

We were guests at a French wedding and there was a best man. He made a best man's speech with a slideshow of funny pictures from when the bride and groom were babies, to when they met. It was an extremely long and drawn out affair especially as the French disappeared between each course to have a ciggy. I'm not sure if he was just a crap best man but he didn't circulate with the guests or do anything much except pose.

As Cath mentioned try googling. If you still have problems, please let me know and I will ask my French relatives

Telergic · Dec 5, 2013

When I google I get references to "mariage anglais", which makes me think it's a recent import as a custom. I see no historical analysis of when the French adopted the custom, nor any social reporting how common it is.

But feel free to use "let me google that for you" if I used the wrong search term. Certainly there are many examples of French best men at marriages, but my question was not if they exist at all, but how common they are, and how old the tradition.

I should point out that http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wedding_customs_by_country#French_customs does not mention them at all.

TheNighSwan · Dec 5, 2013

As far as I understand, the "best man" is what in French is called a "témoin" (witness), who is required by law to be present in French weddings during the signing of the registry (or however the document is called). The bride too has a "témoin", which I think corresponds to the bridesmaid?

Witnesses have been required for Catholics since at least the Council of Trent (mid 16th century).

Telergic · Dec 5, 2013

TheNighSwan said:
As far as I understand, the "best man" is what in French is called a "témoin" (witness), who is required by law to be present in French weddings during the signing of the registry (or however the document is called). The bride too has a "témoin", which I think corresponds to the bridesmaid?

Witnesses have been required for Catholics since at least the Council of Trent (mid 16th century).

Thanks! That's very helpful.

rosehips · Dec 17, 2013

I've been to dozens of weddings in the Burgundy area (it may vary elsewhere). It is correct to have two witnesses to the wedding, but there's no expectation that either be male. You also can involve family members or friends in the wedding ceremony, by doing a reading from the Bible or leading a hymn or whatnot. But no actual best man. You also have a "cortege" of children all dressed alike.

It's traditional for there to be speeches at the reception, but anyone invited to it can give one, as far as I know, and the witnesses are not required to in any way. It's often family members known for being outgoing and funny who take it on.

Best Man in France?

Telergic

Overwriting

Cath

The mean one

Ladybird

Telergic

Overwriting

TheNighSwan

Telergic

Overwriting

rosehips

Mr. Boo is watching you.