Live Life Team
The tradition of having a best man started with the Germanic Goths. At that time it was preferable for men and women from the same community to marry. Once in a while the supply of women was scarce and it became necessary to “recruit” brides from neighbouring groups. Usually future brides were not so willing, so they had to be captured. The future bridegroom would seek help from a male friend to help in the abduction. He would choose the “best man” to help him in this important task.
Sometimes the bride’s family were not pleased at the abduction and would try to steal her back. It was the best man’s duty to stand by the groom’s side at the wedding to protect him during the ceremony. The duty continued as he stood sentry outside the new couple’s home.
Whether this is just German folklore or a true history of the times, there are written records that show an assortment of clubs, knives and spears hidden beneath church altars. Perhaps the stealing back of the bride was a fairly normal occurrence.
It is also said that the bride stands to the left of the groom so that he may keep his right arm free so that he can easily grab a weapon and protect her (or keep her from being recaptured). The tradition of carrying a bride over the threshold is thought to have originated from the fact that brides were carried away when they were abducted. It is also said that if the bride trips or falls as she enters the couple’s new home, the marriage will be filled with bad luck.
