The Wedding Zone - From Engagement to Honeymoon
Getting Married? Start Here

The Best Man

Traditionally the best man should be in close liaison with the brides family and bridesmaid-in-chief to ensure that the wedding runs smoothly.

Although the best man has no status in the arrangements for the actual wedding day itself or the reception, he may be called upon by the families to help with general matters.

The most worrying part of the day for the best man are the speeches. Being there on your best friend or brothers wedding day in front of a crowd of people, most you know. Don't be nervous - because the audience will be sympathetic your plight!

As soon as you are asked to be best man - Meet both families, parents, siblings and grand parents if they are local. This will make life easier later as you won't be addressing complete strangers!

Six months before the wedding -

Discuss the wedding plans with the bride, groom and bridesmaid-in-chief.
Help to choose the ushers and explain their duties to them.

Four months before the wedding -

Organise the stag party.
Prepare your speech for the reception.
Create a list of the family members who should have special seating arrangements at the wedding ceremony and inform the ushers.
Visit the wedding and reception venues with the bride and groom to check on timings, parking arrangements etc.

One month before the wedding -

Check the groom has all the necessary documents for the ceremony and the honeymoon. Double check his passports and visas.

One week before the wedding -

Attend the wedding rehearsal.
Liaise with the ushers on the final arrangements.
Check for any road works or diversions taking place on the wedding day that may effect timings or the route.
If not already sorted - Arrange transport for the groom and yourself to the wedding venue.
Arrange your transport to and from the reception.
If not already sorted - Arrange going away car for the bride and groom from the reception if required.
Make a note of details and availability of emergency taxi companies.
Finalise your speech.
Have your hair cut.

One day before the wedding -

Collect any hired clothing and accessories.
Wash your car if driving to the ceremony.
Organise decorations for the going away car!

On the morning of the wedding -

Check final arrangements for the ushers, buttonholes, order of service sheets and rings.
Collect any telemessages, cards and emails etc to be read out at the reception.
Keep the rings safe until the required time in the service.
Get ready early yourself so you are available to help the groom get ready.
Ensure the groom gets to the church at least 20 minutes before the ceremony is due to start.

At the wedding venue -

Check on the ushers.
Sit in the right hand front pew with the groom.
Witness the signing of the register, if required.
Ensure all fees are paid to the church or registrar.
Escort the bridesmaid-in-chief out of the church.
Assist the photographer in organising the guests for the photographs if required.
Ensure everyone has transportation to the reception venue.

At the reception venue -

Stand in the receiving line and greet the guests.
Announce the speeches and cake cutting, if there is no Master of Ceremonies or Toastmaster.
Read any emails, cards, telemessages.
Give the third and final speech and reply on behalf of the bridesmaids.
Dance with the chief bridesmaid once the bride and groom have completed their first dance.
Decorate the going away car.
Make sure any luggage required is in the going away car.
Make sure the bride and groom go and change on time and announce to the guests that they are about to depart.
Take charge of the groom's wedding clothes, if required.