The Best Man's Duties: Ushering And Beyond

The best man is the groom's chief assistant and is responsible for helping the groom, keeping the wedding rings safe, and giving a speech at the reception. Ushers, on the other hand, are responsible for greeting and seating guests, and ensuring the wedding runs smoothly. Ushers are typically the groom's closest friends or family members and are part of the wedding party alongside the best man and groomsmen. While the best man has a more prominent role, ushers play a large part in a wedding and can also be groomsmen.

The best man's duties on the wedding day

The best man is the groom's right-hand man and has a variety of duties on the wedding day to ensure things run smoothly. Here are some of the key responsibilities:

Before the Wedding

The best man should help the groom prepare for the big day by arranging a stag night and looking after the wedding rings. It is also becoming increasingly common for the best man to organise a gathering for the groom and the groomsmen to relax and socialise before the wedding.

On the Wedding Day

On the day of the wedding, the best man is responsible for getting the groom to the venue on time and ensuring he is calm and his suit is present and correct. The best man should also ensure he has the wedding rings. He will wait with the groom at the front of the venue, and it is his responsibility to stand with the groom during the ceremony. The best man may also be required to escort the chief bridesmaid.

After the Ceremony

The best man should help gather relatives and ushers for photographs and direct guests to the wedding reception. He will also be required to give a speech during the reception.

Other Responsibilities

The best man may also be asked to act as a witness and sign the marriage certificate. He may also be asked to organise the ushers and ensure they are aware of their duties.

The best man's role before the wedding

The best man's role is to be the groom's right-hand man and provide support and assistance before and during the wedding. The best man is usually a close friend or relative of the groom, and they are in charge of leading the groomsmen and coordinating their activities and duties.

• Help the groom with planning and administration: The best man can offer to help with logistical details like booking vendors, managing RSVPs, and coordinating schedules.
• Plan an epic bachelor/stag party: The best man takes the lead in organizing the groom's last big night out before he gets married.
• Help choose the groomsmen's attire: The best man assists the groom in rounding up the ushers and other important wedding party members to try on wedding suits. They also help with any final fittings.
• Liaise with the maid of honor: The best man can chat with the maid of honor and coordinate any useful things to have on hand during the wedding day, such as large umbrellas or gifts for the couple.
• Organize a groomsmen's gift to the groom: The best man can present the groom with a sentimental gift from his groomsmen on the wedding morning.
• Stay over with the groom the night before the wedding: The best man traditionally stays with the groom the night before the wedding to provide support and ensure the groom doesn't oversleep.
• Help the groom get ready: On the morning of the wedding, the best man assists the groom with getting dressed and any last-minute tasks.
• Keep the rings safe: The best man is often asked to be the ring bearer and is entrusted with keeping the wedding rings safe before and during the ceremony.
• Greet the guests with the groom: The best man stands by the groom's side to welcome and greet arriving guests, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere before the ceremony.
• Stand at the altar with the groom: Before the wedding ceremony, the best man takes their place next to the groom at the altar.
• Escort the maid of honor out of the ceremony: After the ceremony, the best man escorts the maid of honor out of the room ahead of the newly married couple.
• Help organize wedding photographs: The best man helps round up guests for the wedding photographer's group photos and appears in many of them.
• Be the master of ceremonies: If the couple hasn't hired a master of ceremonies, the best man may announce key elements like the couple's arrival, the speeches, and the cutting of the cake.
• Deliver the best man's speech: The best man gives a speech during the reception, offering sincere well-wishes to the newlyweds and sharing lighthearted anecdotes about the groom.
• Get the party started: After the first dance, it's traditional for the best man to dance with the maid of honor and encourage everyone onto the dance floor.

The best man also has a few duties after the wedding, such as returning hired items, taking care of wedding gifts, and helping the groom write thank-you notes to guests.

Overall, the best man plays a crucial role in supporting the groom and ensuring the wedding runs smoothly. Their duties can vary depending on the couple's dynamics and the size of the wedding party.

The best man's speech

So, you're the best man? Congratulations! Now, it's time to prepare for the big day and that means writing your speech. Here is some advice on how to deliver a heartfelt, funny, appropriate, and unique best man's speech.

First of all, don't wing it! It is always a good idea to prepare your speech in advance. Write it down, and if you're not a confident speaker, consider bullet-pointing your speech to make it easier to deliver. If you're nervous, that's okay, but don't have too many drinks to calm yourself. It's important that you remain sober enough to deliver your speech without slurring or rambling.

Your speech should be short and to the point, with a maximum length of around five minutes. Any longer, and people will lose interest. Begin by introducing yourself and explaining your relationship with the groom. Thank everyone for coming, and be sure to mention the bride and the bridesmaids, incorporating a positive story about them.

The bulk of your speech should focus on the groom. Think of the qualities that define him and his relationship, and share stories that demonstrate those qualities. Keep the stories light and funny, but avoid dirty jokes or tales that might embarrass his grandmother. You could also share a story about how the couple met, or how you learned about the bride from the groom.

Finally, end your speech with a common toast to the couple and their future.

Good luck!

The best man's attire

The best man's suit should complement the groom's, without overshadowing it. It's customary for the best man to adapt their look to the groom's, or, in some cases, to the groom's father or brother. For a formal wedding, the best man may wear a tuxedo or a morning dress, depending on the time of day and the groom's preference. If the wedding is before 6 pm, a tuxedo or morning dress is appropriate, while a tailcoat is customary for the evening. For a more casual wedding, a three-piece suit in a dark shade of grey or blue is a good option.

The fabric choice should also be considered. For a warm, exotic location, a light and breathable fabric such as linen or a blend of linen and cotton is ideal. On the other hand, a wedding outdoors in the evening may require wool and silk to keep warm.

When it comes to colour, dark blue is a popular choice as it flatters any complexion and body type, and it is both formal and elegant. Charcoal grey is another elegant option, inspired by the most rigorous tuxedos and morning dresses. Black is formal but may not be appropriate for a traditional wedding, as it is the colour of tailcoats.

As for the shirt and tie, a white shirt is a must, and a plain-coloured silk tie is recommended. It's important to avoid matching the tie to the groom's shade. If the groom wears a boutonniere, the best man should do the same, and a white flower is a classic choice.

Lastly, comfortable shoes are a must for the best man, who will be on their feet all day. Black, calfskin laced shoes are a safe choice, and original details can be added with socks in different shades and patterns.

The best man's relationship with the groom

The best man is the groom's right-hand man and chief assistant. He is usually a close friend or relative chosen by the groom, and it is considered an honour to be selected. The best man's role is primarily to help the groom, so he has several responsibilities.

The best man's duties include arranging the stag night, looking after the rings, delivering a witty speech, and organising the ushers. He is also responsible for getting the groom to the venue on time and ensuring he is calm and his suit is all present and correct. The best man must also not forget the ring!

The best man's role is an honour but also a big responsibility. The groom will need all the help he can get, so it is important to choose someone organised and responsible as the best man.

The best man and the groom often spend the night before the wedding together, and the best man may even stay over to ensure the groom doesn't oversleep. On the wedding day, the best man and ushers usually meet up at a pub near the venue to celebrate the groom's final moments as a single man. This is also a chance to run through the ushers' duties.

The best man is also sometimes required to escort the chief bridesmaid. He should help gather together all the relatives and ushers for photographs, and he may be asked to make a toast to the happy couple.

Frequently asked questions