Best Man's Gift Guide: What To Buy And Why

The best man has a lot of responsibilities, from organising the stag do to making sure the wedding rings are safe. But what about gifts? While it's not required, it's traditional for the best man and ushers to club together to buy the groom a treat on his big day – perhaps a nice bottle of whisky. The groom should also present the best man with a gift, usually at the bachelor's dinner or rehearsal dinner. It's also nice for the best man to treat the newlyweds to a wedding present.

Best man's gift to the groom

As the best man, you are expected to give the groom a gift. It is a way to show your support, appreciation, and gratitude for your friend on his special day. While it is not mandatory, it is a thoughtful gesture that can make the groom feel cherished and celebrated.

When choosing a gift for the groom, it is important to put thought into it and consider his interests, hobbies, and personality. Avoid generic gifts and instead opt for something personalised and meaningful. Here are some gift ideas to consider:

Timeless Classics

A classic gift option is a pocket watch, which can be engraved with the groom's initials or a special message. Another timeless idea is a pair of cufflinks, which can be elegant and personalised with the groom's initials or designed to match the wedding theme. A wristwatch is another elegant and practical option, which can be engraved for a personal touch.

Practical Gifts

A practical gift is always a good idea, as it shows your appreciation and ensures that the groom will use it long after the wedding day. A high-quality leather wallet, personalised with his initials or a heartfelt message, is something he can use daily. A stylish belt with his initials on the buckle is another practical option. If the groom is a whiskey enthusiast, consider a set of whiskey stones and glasses or a personalised decanter set. For the cigar lover, a cigar-holding whiskey glass or a personalised cigar box to store his favourite cigars can be a unique gift.

Adventure and Experience

If the groom enjoys outdoor adventures, consider gifting him an experience such as a hot air balloon ride, rock climbing, or a driving experience. Alternatively, you can gift him adventure gear, such as a camping hammock, a durable backpack, or a multi-tool set to support his adventurous spirit.

Grooming and Self-Care

A premium grooming kit with essential items like a luxury shaving set, skincare products, and a stylish toiletry bag can be a practical and indulgent gift. For the groom with a beard, an upscale beard care set with beard wash, conditioner, oil, and grooming tools can be a thoughtful choice.

Food and Beverage

For the foodie groom, a gourmet food basket filled with delectable treats, fine cheeses, and premium wines or craft beers can be a delightful gift. Alternatively, a beer flight set with personalised glasses allows him to sample different brews. If the groom is a whiskey connoisseur, a set of personalised whiskey glasses or a whiskey-tasting tour can be a memorable gift.

Remember, the gift you choose should reflect your friendship and convey your heartfelt congratulations to the groom. Whether it is a physical, consumable, or experiential gift, the thought and effort put into it will be appreciated.

Best man's gift from the couple

While it is not mandatory for the best man to give a gift to the couple, it is a thoughtful gesture and a long-standing tradition. The gift is usually presented to the couple at the wedding reception and should be addressed to the bride. It is meant to be a lasting memento of the special day and can be something sentimental, like a personalised gift, or practical, like a high-quality tool set. Here are some ideas for best man gifts from the couple:

• Personalised Gifts: Adding a personal touch to the gift makes it even more special and memorable. Some ideas include a customised map of a significant location, such as the couple's hometown or the wedding location, a custom bar sign if the groom enjoys hosting, or a personalised pocket watch or wristwatch engraved with the groom's initials or a special message.
• Classic Gifts: Timeless and sophisticated options include cufflinks, which can be designed to match the wedding theme or engraved with the groom's initials. Another idea is a high-quality leather wallet, which can be personalised with the groom's initials or a heartfelt message.
• Grooming Kit: A top-notch grooming kit is a practical and thoughtful choice. Opt for a premium set that includes essentials such as a razor, shaving cream, and a grooming brush.
• Experience Gifts: If the groom already has everything he needs, consider gifting an experience instead. This could be an adventure day, such as a hot air balloon ride or rock climbing, or a class or workshop that aligns with his interests, like a cooking class or wine tasting tour.
• Sentimental Gifts: Gifts that evoke sentiment and hold emotional value are always meaningful. A custom artwork piece that represents a special memory shared with the groom or a personalised photo album filled with memories and adventures is sure to be cherished.
• Hobbies and Interests: Consider the groom's hobbies and interests when selecting a gift. For example, if he is a whiskey enthusiast, an engraved whiskey decanter set with glasses would be appreciated. Alternatively, if he is into gaming, consider accessories or a console to enhance his experience.
• Practical Gifts: Practical gifts that the groom can use in his daily life or for a specific purpose are always useful. A gourmet food basket filled with delectable treats, fine cheeses, and premium wines or craft beers is a delightful option. Alternatively, a high-quality tool set is perfect for a groom who enjoys DIY projects or home improvements.

Remember, the gift should be a token of your support and appreciation for the groom and a way to convey your congratulations and best wishes on his special day.

Best man's speech

So, you've been asked to be the best man at a wedding—what an honour! But what exactly does that entail? Well, aside from planning the stag do and helping choose the groom's attire, one of your main duties is to give a speech at the wedding reception. Here are some tips and ideas to help you craft the perfect best man's speech.

Before the Speech

Before you even think about standing up in front of all those people, you need to prepare and practice your speech. Start by brainstorming ideas and writing down your thoughts. The best man's speech is usually the funny speech, so don't be afraid to inject some humour into it. Just make sure any jokes or embarrassing stories are appropriate for the audience, which will likely include older relatives. It's also a good idea to run your speech by a trusted friend or family member to make sure it hits the right tone.

During the Speech

When it comes to the delivery of your speech, speak slowly and clearly, and don't forget to pause for laughter if you land a good joke! Traditionally, the best man's speech comes last, after the father of the bride and the groom. Begin by introducing yourself and thanking the couple for having you. Then, lead a toast to the bridesmaids and comment on how wonderful the couple is together. Don't forget to mention the groom's partner and how perfect they are for each other. If you've collected any messages or telegrams from guests, be sure to read those out as well.

Gift Ideas

Although it's not required, it's a nice gesture for the best man to present the newlyweds with a gift. This could be something simple like a personalised pint glass, or something more lavish like an engraved watch. Alternatively, you could organise a gift for the groom from all the groomsmen. Something sentimental, like a vintage bottle of Scotch or a personalised wedding watch, would be a thoughtful touch.

Best man's duties on the wedding day

While the best man is not expected to buy gifts for the newlyweds, he does have a lot of other duties to fulfil on the wedding day. Here is a detailed list of the best man's duties on the wedding day:

Before the Wedding

• Plan and arrange the stag do.
• Keep an eye on how the groom is coping with the wedding planning process and offer emotional support.
• Help choose suits for the bridal party and round up the other ushers.
• Show the groom how excited you are for him and create a sense of occasion.
• Organise a gift from the groomsmen to the groom.
• Offer your services to the bride and groom for any wedding planning duties, such as contacting suppliers or finding wedding transport.
• Write and practice your best man's speech.
• Do your homework on the guests and be prepared to mingle and introduce yourself.

On the Wedding Day

• Help set up the wedding, including carrying chairs and tables and other props.
• Be the point person for the ushers and keep them organised.
• Be organised and prepared—you could even bring a spare copy of the groom's speech!
• Look after the groom the night before the wedding and make sure he doesn't drink too much.
• Help the groom get ready on the morning of the wedding and hand out any buttonholes to the bridal party.
• Keep the rings safe and organise any ring bearers.
• Greet the wedding guests and stand by the groom's side.
• Enter with the groom and walk down the aisle, taking your place at the altar beside him.
• If there is a maid of honour, escort her out of the ceremony after it is over.
• Stand in the receiving line and greet the guests.
• Help organise the wedding photographs by rounding up guests.
• Be the master of ceremonies and announce key elements, such as the couple's arrival, the speeches and the cake-cutting.
• Deliver your speech.
• Get the party started by dancing with the maid of honour and encouraging everyone onto the dance floor.

After the Wedding

• Return and clean the suits.
• Take care of wedding gifts and ensure all gifts, cards, the guest book and any other keepsakes are collected and delivered to the couple.
• Return the groomsmen outfits and make sure any rented tuxes are returned on time and intact.
• Decorate the newlyweds' car.

Best man's duties before the wedding

The best man has a lot of responsibilities, but it's an honour and a privilege to be the groom's right-hand man and trusted confidante throughout the wedding planning process. Here is a detailed list of duties that a best man should take care of before the wedding:

Several Months Before the Wedding:

• Help choose the suits and coordinate the groomsmen's attire.
• Arrange to meet the ushers and other groomsmen.
• Liaise with the maid of honour to prepare for the big day.
• Help the groom with planning and administrative tasks, such as booking vendors and managing RSVPs.
• Plan the bachelor party, including setting a date, budget, and venue.
• Coordinate with the groomsmen about the bachelor party and collect money from them.
• Attend venue visits and tasting sessions with the groom.

One Month Before the Wedding:

• Send out bachelor party invitations.
• Confirm attire details for all groomsmen and ensure they are ordered and fitted.
• Check in with the groom about any last-minute preparations or changes.

Week Before the Wedding:

• Attend the wedding rehearsal and dinner.
• Inform the groomsmen of the wedding day schedule.
• Collect and keep the wedding rings safe.
• Host the bachelor party.

Day Before the Wedding:

• Double-check all attire details and ensure everything is clean and ready.
• Review the wedding day timeline and coordinate transportation.
• Have a heart-to-heart with the groom and offer support and encouragement.
• Assist the groom with any last-minute preparations.
• Ensure the groomsmen are on time and appropriately dressed.
• Coordinate with the wedding party for group photos.

Morning of the Wedding:

• Help the groom get ready and remind him to breathe—weddings can be stressful!
• Organise the ushers and hand out buttonholes.
• Keep the rings safe and present them during the ceremony when the time comes.

The best man also has a range of duties on the wedding day, including standing beside the groom at the altar, giving a speech at the reception, and assisting with logistics and cleanup.

Frequently asked questions