The Best Man

The Best Man

He is the Groom’s right hand man – usually his brother or closest friend. The Best Man should undertake the following duties.

- organise the groom’s “Stag” night
- discuss the wedding plans with the bride and groom
- prepare a speech for the wedding reception (wedding breakfast)
- prepare a list of VIP’s who have special seating arrangements and inform the ushers
- visit ceremony and reception venues with the bride and groom, checking on travel times to and in between locations, and parking arrangements, etc.
- visit the tailors with the groom for fittings, or
- visit the hire wear store and liaise with the ushers
- assist groom I checking passports, and other documentation, are in order for the honeymoon
- attend the wedding rehearsal
- liaise with any ushers on final arrangements
- check the route to the ceremony and reception for road works, diversions, carnivals, tolls, etc. which may effect the timing and route
- arrange transport for groom and yourself to the ceremony
- arrange transport for yourself and the chief bridesmaid to the reception and afterwards ensure she has transport home
- make a note of taxi companies for guests use
- finalise speech
- get hair cut
- collect any hired clothing and accessories
- wash car of driving to ceremony
- organize decorations for “going away” car

On The Day:

- check final arrangements for ushers, buttonholes, order of service sheets and rings
- collect faxes, telex-messages, cards, e-mails to be read at the reception
- keep rings safe until the required moment in the wedding ceremony
- get ready and then help the groom
- get the groom to the ceremony on time i.e. 20 minutes before hand

At the Ceremony:

- check on ushers
- sit in the right hand seat on the groom’s right hand side
- if required, witness the signing of the register
- ensure all fees are paid, e.g. to registrar/minister, organist, etc
- escort of chief bridesmaid, after the bride and groom, to the wedding reception
- assist the photographer in organising the guests for photographs
- ensure everyone has transport to the reception venue

At the Reception:

- stand in the reception line (receiving line) and greet the guests
- announce speeches and the cake cutting if there is no Master of Ceremonies
- read any cards, e-mails or telex-messages
- give the third and final speech and reply on behalf of the Bridesmaids
- have the first dance with the Chief Bridesmaid
- decorate the “going away” car
- put any luggage in the car
- make sure the bride and groom change and leave on time
- announce the bride and groom’s departure and the throwing of the bouquet
- take charge of the groom’s wedding clothes, if required, after the wedding

After the Wedding:

- ensure the wedding presents are safely stored
- return any hired clothing and accessories

As a rule, the larger the wedding, the more involved and busy the Best Man is going to be in assisting the Bride and Groom. Always carry spare cash and a spare shirt for the Groom.

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Best Man, the Groom’s right hand man - here are some rules to follow