About 4 years ago, I was asked to be the best man at my best friend's wedding. The wedding is still a couple of years away, but I no longer feel like I'm his best friend and if he had waited until now to ask, he'd ask someone else. What would you do in my situation?

Posted by strugglingnewdad@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 108 comments

Names have obviously been changed.

I have known X for about 15 years and we have been very close over this time. He has been through a lot and I've been there to support him throughout. I won't get into specifics but he's suffered more tragedy than most. He's also been very good friends with Y, but Y didn't see him as often as I did. I am also very good friends with Y.

About 4 years ago, X asked me to be the best man at his wedding. I was very honoured to be asked. Then, obviously covid happened and some more personal tragedies. The wedding is now planned for 2026. In this space of a few years, X has become much closer with Y. There are various factors for this - we haven't had a fall out or argument or anything like that. Just their personal circumstances changed and now they see each other a lot more.

When we hang out as a three, it seems pretty obvious to me that X and Y are now much closer than I am with X. X always goes to Y for advice and support etc. When the topic of the wedding comes up amongst other friends, they always seem shocked that I am the best man. I can't help but feel that if he had waited until this point to ask, he would ask Y.

Again, we haven't had any fallout or argument or anything like that. We are still very good friends who speak and hang out fairly often. It's just that due to their circumstances changing, X and Y inevitably spend a lot more time together.

I wonder if I should check in with X to see if he wants to change his mind. Currently, I feel like a bit of an imposter. I'd be pretty gutted if he did, but I also don't want to be his best man out of guilt. I also don't want to offend X though, as I worry he might take it personally and be upset if I've misread the situation. What would you do?