Best Man Duties

[Nutcase]

Originally Posted by Betty

You're in charge of more than you might think you know

6 months

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

4 months

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

1 week before

Check the groom has all the necessary documents for the ceremony and the honeymoon. Double check their passports and visas.
Attend the wedding rehearsal.
Liaise with the ushers on the final arrangements.
Check for roadworks, diversions, carnivals etc taking place on the wedding day that may effect timings or the route.
Arrange transport for the groom and self to ceremony.
Arrange transport to and from the reception.
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 speech.
Have your hair cut.

The day before

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

On the day

Check final arrangements for the ushers, buttonholes, order of service sheets and rings.
Collect telemessages, cards and emails to be read at the reception.
Keep the rings safe until the required time in the service.
Help the groom get ready (so be ready before him).
Ensure the groom gets to the church on time, which we advise is at least 20 minutes before the ceremony is due to start.

At the church

Check on the ushers.
Sit on 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 chief bridesmaid out of the church.
Assist the photographer in organising the guests for the photographs.
Ensure everyone has transportation to the reception venue.

At the reception

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 cards, emails and 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.
Put any luggage required 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.

After the wedding

Ensure the wedding presents are safely stored.
Return any hired clothing and accessories.


Good luck and all that

At my best mate's wedding, the bride did 90% of that. The best man organised the stag do, turned up at the wedding and did a speech at the reception.