Best Man Duties: What Comes After The Reception?

The best man's duties are far from over after the reception. In fact, there are a couple of important tasks that need to be completed after the wedding celebrations have ended. These include:

- Returning and cleaning suits: The best man is usually responsible for rounding up and returning any hired items, such as suits, and ensuring that they are dry-cleaned and returned on time.

- Taking care of wedding gifts: The best man may be asked to safely store and transport the wedding gifts, cards, guest book, and other keepsakes to the couple's home, especially if they are leaving for their honeymoon immediately after the reception.

- Tipping vendors: The best man may also be tasked with handing out tips to vendors and ensuring that all wedding-related expenses are settled before the end of the reception.

- Decorating the getaway car: The best man often takes the lead in decorating the couple's getaway car, although this may not be allowed if the couple has hired a transportation company.

- Coordinating transportation: If the couple has not hired transportation, the best man may need to drive the couple to their hotel or the airport after the reception or coordinate alternative transportation for them.

Return and clean suits

Returning and cleaning suits is one of the many responsibilities of the best man. Here are some detailed tips to help you with this task:

Returning the Suits

If the suits were rented, it is crucial to return them promptly to avoid late fees. Contact the rental company to confirm the return process and ensure all suits are accounted for and in good condition.

Cleaning the Suits

• Use a professional dry cleaning service. Dry cleaning is a complex process, and professional cleaners have the expertise and equipment to handle it without damaging the suits.
• Act quickly to remove stains. The sooner you treat a stain, the higher the chances of removing it.
• Check the care label. Some fabrics, like wool, require special care.
• Remove minor stains before dry cleaning. Use a gentle approach, like pretreatment with club soda, and inform the dry cleaners of the steps taken.
• Hang the suits immediately after wearing. Use padded hangers to preserve the shape and prevent creases.
• Store the suits properly. Keep them in a well-ventilated area, away from humidity, and use garment bags to protect them from dust and insects.

Stain Removal Techniques

• Wine Stains: Blot the stain gently, apply dish soap and gently work it into the fabric, then rinse with warm water and air dry.
• Oil Stains: Blot the excess oil, apply an absorbent powder like talcum powder, and brush it off after 30 minutes. If the stain persists, apply a small amount of heavy-duty laundry detergent, rinse, and air dry.
• Ink Stains: Place a cloth under the stain to prevent spreading. Dampen a cotton ball with rubbing alcohol and gently dab the stain, working from the outside in. Rinse with warm water and air dry.

Remember, it is essential to act quickly when dealing with stains and always test stain removal methods on a small, inconspicuous area first.

By following these tips, you can ensure that the suits are returned and cleaned properly, fulfilling one of your crucial duties as the best man.

Take care of wedding gifts

As the best man, you will have a number of responsibilities when it comes to taking care of wedding gifts. Firstly, you may be asked to collect money from the other groomsmen and purchase a gift for the groom. This is a great opportunity to get something special for the groom, perhaps a vintage bottle of wine or a higher-end spirit.

You will also need to purchase a gift for the couple yourself. Traditionally, the best man purchases a gift from the couple's wedding registry or gives cash. However, if you would prefer to give a more creative or sentimental gift, that is okay too. You should expect to spend about $120 on a wedding gift, and potentially more if you are attending the wedding with a plus-one.

On the day of the wedding, you may be asked to help collect gifts from guests. Even if there is a designated gift table, some guests may want to hand over their cards or presents to a person. If a guest gives you a gift, make sure it ends up in the right place, whether that is a card box, gift table, or locked room. You may also be asked to deposit cheques in the couple's bank account or keep them safe until the couple returns from their honeymoon.

Finally, after the wedding, you will need to help transport gifts to the newlyweds' home.

Help with the pre-wedding setup

Being the best man is a huge honour and a lot of responsibility. Here are some duties you will need to perform to help with the pre-wedding setup:

Assist with outfit details

As the best man, you will be in charge of supporting the groom with all his wedding day attire needs. This includes helping with final suit selections for the groom, groomsmen, and important family members. You may even put together emergency kits for the groomsmen, including extra cufflinks, shoe polish, or an extra tie.

Organise the bachelor party

The best man is typically in charge of planning the bachelor party, with the help of the other groomsmen. Consult with the groom to host an event that aligns with his wishes. Is he looking to travel or stay local? Does he want a wild party or something more low-key? Work with the groomsmen to plan a celebration that suits the groom's style and keep in mind everyone's schedules and budgets.

Lead the groomsmen

Introduce yourself to the other groomsmen and act as the point of contact for everyone on the groom's side. If you all live nearby, set up a time to meet and get acquainted. If you're spread across the country or the world, start an email chain or group chat to facilitate communication.

Shop for formalwear and coordinate purchases

As the best man, you will assist the groom in picking out everyone's formal wear and ensure that each groomsman orders their attire in a timely fashion. If you're renting or purchasing as a group, you'll need to submit the order, collect payment from everyone, and ensure that the suits are received and tailored.

Provide moral support and emotional support

Planning a wedding can be stressful, and the groom will rely on his best man to help him make decisions and solve problems. Be a supportive friend throughout the process and provide a listening ear for any complaints, confessions, or questions the groom may have. Reassure the groom and keep him focused and calm in the lead-up to the wedding.

Coordinate travel and accommodations

If you and the groomsmen are travelling to the wedding, ensure that everyone books their flights and hotels on time. Jump on any room blocks and accommodations arranged by the couple for out-of-town guests. You can even help pair up groomsmen to share hotel rooms or rental cars to save costs.

Be present for the rehearsal

Attend the ceremony rehearsal and rehearsal dinner, which usually take place the day before the wedding. You may be tasked with wrangling the wedding party to ensure the schedule moves along smoothly. It is common for the best man to make a small toast during the rehearsal dinner to kick off the festivities.

Create an emergency kit

Prepare an emergency kit for the wedding day, including essential toiletries, stain remover, sewing kit, extra cash, and any other items that might come in handy.

The best man has a crucial role in helping with the pre-wedding setup, and these duties will ensure that the groom and the wedding party are prepared and ready for the big day.

Stay over with the groom

Staying over with the groom the night before the wedding is a tradition rooted in the idea that the best man is there to offer support and camaraderie during the groom's last few hours of single life. While it is not a strict requirement, it is a good opportunity for the best man to ensure the groom gets home safely and on time for the wedding.

• Prepare drinks and snacks, but make sure the groom doesn't eat or drink anything that might cause an issue the next day.
• Go over the best man's speech once more to ensure you are confident in reading it out.
• Check in with the groom to see if he has any last-minute jitters or wedding anxiety.
• On the morning of the wedding, play music, break out some beers, or play card or video games to help pass the time and keep the atmosphere relaxed and upbeat.
• Help the groom get ready, making sure he has everything he needs, and provide moral support.
• Ensure the groom arrives at the venue at least 20 minutes before the ceremony is scheduled to begin.
• Throughout the day, be a source of calm and positive energy for the groom.

Remember, your role as the best man is to support and assist the groom, making his experience as stress-free as possible.

Help the groom get ready

As the best man, you'll be the groom's right-hand man and go-to person on the day of the wedding. Here are some tips on how to help the groom get ready:

Before the Wedding

As the best man, you'll be responsible for helping the groom choose his wedding attire. This includes assisting with final suit selections and ensuring that all the groomsmen order their attire in a timely manner. You'll also need to keep an eye on the clock on the morning of the wedding to ensure everyone gets to the venue on time.

On the Wedding Day

Your duties on the day include helping the groom get ready and being as hands-on as possible with any last-minute tasks. You'll also need to take delivery of any buttonholes and hand them out to the groomsmen and ushers. It's important that the groom arrives at the venue at least 20 minutes before the ceremony is scheduled to begin, so keep an eye on the timeline to ensure things run smoothly.

During the Ceremony

As the best man, you'll traditionally stand next to the groom during the ceremony and may be asked to hold the wedding rings until the couple's ring exchange. You'll also need to greet guests with the groom, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere before the ceremony commences.

After the Ceremony

You may be asked to escort the maid of honour out of the room ahead of the newlyweds and stand in the receiving line at the wedding reception. You'll also need to give your best man speech, traditionally after the father-of-the-bride's speech.

Remember, it's important to stay organised and communicate with the groom and wedding party to ensure you're meeting expectations and fulfilling all your duties as the best man.

Frequently asked questions