Best Man Duties for the Big Day!!

How to be the Best Best Man

You are the groom’s right hand man. As best man duties go your main job is to look after the groom on the day and support him with the planning and preparations.

Basically that could be anything from keeping him cool, calm and collected to helping him plan and organise the big day!

Don’t panic – the key to being a successful best man is to leave nothing to chance.

Wedding preparations

Here are your key best man duties leading up to the wedding:

1. Prepare and deliver a speech – the earlier the better!!
2. Discuss the wedding plans with the bride and groom.
3. It’s a good idea to start by meeting the people who are going to be in charge on the day including the chief bridesmaid and ushers.
4. Help the groom, if he asks, to choose the ushers.
5. Explain the usher’s duties to them. Make sure you all know who’s who and any special seating arrangements.
6. This is one time when you will need to be super organised and super cool so start early and make a plan so you know everything will go like clockwork.
7. Do a reccy. Check out venues, parking and timings. Remember it’s your responsibility to get the groom to the church on time so be prepared.
8. Check on the route a couple of days before the wedding for any roadworks or diversions.
9. Make a note of local taxi numbers just in case.
10. Organise transport for yourself and the groom to the church and for the bride and groom to and from the reception.
11. If you are using your own cars make sure they are clean and valeted.
12. Organise the stag do…

The Stag Party

Let’s face it this is the bit you’ve been waiting for - the ultimate duty of the best man! These days a stag party can be as simple as a night out with the boys to a wild weekend in Borneo!! Before you get carried away it’s a good idea to sit down with the groom and discuss how big a bash this is going to be.

Whatever you decide to do make sure the stag party takes place well in advance of the wedding. The groom needs to look his best on the big day and those photographs will be on display for many years to come.

For some really fun ideas for your stag do, take a look at www.doomedgroom.com which is a one-stop shop for everything having to do with planning a bachelor party. It includes great bachelor party ideas, helpful advice columns, and a store for gag gifts and supplies. Have fun!!

And on the day

The best man duties are:

1. Take care of the groom
2. Look after the rings
3. Get the groom to the church on time
4. Organise the ushers – teamwork is the order of the day
5. Make sure key people have buttonholes
6. Witness the signing of the register
7. Make sure all the fees have been paid to the church or registrar
8. Take care of the guests while photographs are being taken9. Consider taking a few of your own pics to record those special moments that haven’t been posed for
10. Ensure everyone has transport to the reception
11. Act as a toastmaster if a formal master of ceremonies has not been hired
12. Make sure you have everything you need for your speech
13. Collect all the emails, telegrams, cards, messages to be read out
14. Check that the microphone (if applicable) works
15. Your best man duties would not be complete without the best man dispensing some good advice to the happy couple as part of your speech

And finally…

Have that drink!

You’ve earned it!!

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