The Best Man's Guide To Wedding Ceremony Duties

The best man is the groom's right-hand man and has a variety of responsibilities during the wedding ceremony. These include greeting and welcoming guests, standing next to the groom during the ceremony, acting as a legal witness and signing the marriage certificate, and holding the wedding rings until they are needed. The best man may also be asked to announce key moments during the ceremony, such as the couple's arrival or the cutting of the cake. In addition to their duties during the ceremony, the best man also plays a crucial role in the planning process and is often in charge of organising the bachelor party and choosing the groomsmen's attire.

Hold the wedding rings

Holding the wedding rings is one of the most important duties of the best man. Here are some tips to ensure you ace this responsibility:

Keep the Rings Safe

As the best man, you will be entrusted with the wedding bands until the ring exchange during the ceremony. This is a huge responsibility, so make sure you keep the rings in a safe place, like your inner jacket pocket. Check this pocket in advance to ensure it doesn't have a hole, and be aware of where the rings are at all times. If there is a ring bearer, you will fasten the rings to the pillow as you line up for the processional and they will pass the rings to you for safekeeping until the officiant requests them.

Prepare for the Ring Exchange

During the ceremony, you will be expected to produce the rings when the couple is ready to exchange them. Make sure you pat your pockets several times after leaving for the ceremony and once you arrive to ensure you have the rings. You don't want to be the one shrugging when asked to present the rings!

Be Mindful of the Rings Throughout the Day

As the best man, you will have a lot of responsibilities on the day of the wedding, but don't let that distract you from your ring-bearing duties. Keep your wits about you and be mindful of the rings throughout the day.

Return the Rings

After the ceremony, you will likely want to hand over the rings to the newlyweds. Ensure they are safely returned and don't forget to retrieve them from your pocket if you haven't already done so!

Have a Backup Plan

Although it is unlikely, it is possible that something could go wrong with the wedding rings. They could get lost, or the couple may decide at the last minute that they don't like the design. In the lead-up to the wedding, discuss backup plans with the couple. For example, you could suggest buying affordable, simple rings as a backup or confirm with the couple that they are happy to proceed with the ceremony without exchanging rings if necessary.

Practice Makes Perfect

In the lead-up to the wedding, practice taking the rings out of your pocket and handing them to someone. This will help you feel more comfortable and confident during the ceremony.

Stand next to the groom

Standing next to the groom is one of the most important duties of the best man. This is a clear display of your love and support for your friend. It's also a good idea to stand up straight, look interested, and smile during the ceremony.

While the best man traditionally walks down the aisle solo during the processional, he will likely be paired with the maid of honour during the recessional. The best man will take his place standing closest to the groom at the altar, with the rest of the groomsmen lining up alongside.

The best man is often asked to also be the ring bearer at the wedding and is entrusted with keeping the wedding rings safe ahead of the ceremony. Even if you aren't the official ring bearer, you may still be responsible for holding onto the rings.

If there is no ring bearer, the best man may be responsible for holding the wedding bands until the ring exchange portion of the ceremony. It is important to be aware of where the rings are at all times and keep them in a safe place, like an inner jacket pocket.

The best man is also in charge of the groomsmen, leading all communication and spearheading most of their activities and duties. This includes helping the groom and groomsmen get ready on the morning of the wedding and ensuring everyone is awake, fed, hydrated, and ready to go.

The best man may also be responsible for holding onto the groom's phone so he's not distracted, and helping to calm any pre-wedding jitters.

Act as a legal witness

Acting as a legal witness is one of the most important duties of the best man. The best man is usually one of the two witnesses required to sign the marriage certificate, along with the maid of honour. The best man should always be ready to fulfil this task and should have a backup pen in his pocket in case of any last-minute mishaps. After signing the marriage certificate, the best man will hand the officiant a sealed envelope containing their fee. The officiant will then send the marriage license to the county clerk's office, and the couple will receive their official marriage certificate.

In most modern Anglophone countries, the best man stands next to the groom during the ceremony and acts as his chief assistant. This means that the four people present at the altar are the officiant (such as a civil celebrant, priest, rabbi, minister, or other religious figure), the bride, groom, and best man. This tradition is common in some Western countries, although in others, the best man and bridesmaid participate on an equal footing.

The best man's role as a legal witness is a significant honour and responsibility, ensuring that the marriage is legally recognised and that the couple receives their official marriage certificate.

Prepare a speech

Preparing a Best Man Speech

Being asked to be the best man at a wedding is a huge honour, but it also comes with a lot of responsibility. One of your key duties is to deliver a speech at the wedding reception. This is a big moment, and one that you should prepare for in advance. Here are some tips on how to prepare a best man speech:

Know the Structure

The best man's speech usually comes after the father of the bride and/or the groom's speech. It is traditionally the last speech before the party gets started. You may be asked to speak at the rehearsal dinner instead, so check with the couple in advance.

Prepare in Advance

Don't leave writing your speech until the last minute. Start brainstorming ideas early on, and get a first draft done as soon as possible. That way, you can refine it and practice delivering it in the weeks leading up to the wedding.

Keep it Light-Hearted

A best man speech should be fun and good-natured. It's fine to include some cheeky stories or gentle ribbing of the groom, but avoid anything that might cause embarrassment or offence. Remember that the wedding will be attended by people of all ages, so keep it clean!

Include Everyone

Make sure you mention all the key people in your speech. Thank the couple's parents, and welcome any new family members. You should also mention the bridesmaids, and perhaps say a few words about how beautiful the bride looks.

Tell a Story

A great way to structure your speech is to tell a story about the groom. You might want to talk about how you met, or share a funny anecdote that shows his good qualities. You could also talk about how he and the bride met, and what makes them a great couple.

Keep it Short

Don't ramble on for too long. A best man speech should be relatively short and sweet. Aim for around 5-7 minutes, depending on how many other speakers there are.

Rehearse

Practice makes perfect, so make sure you rehearse your speech in advance. Practise in front of a mirror, or record yourself so you can see how it comes across. You could even practise in front of a small audience to get some feedback.

Enjoy Yourself

Finally, remember to relax and enjoy the experience. It's an honour to be asked to be a best man, and your speech is a chance to celebrate your friend's happiness. Don't stress too much about getting it exactly right—just speak from the heart, and the rest will follow.

Escort the maid of honour

The best man has a key role to play in the ceremony, and one of his duties is to escort the maid of honour. This is a traditional part of the wedding ceremony and is usually done as the two of them exit the room, just before the newly married couple makes their exit.

To avoid any potential awkwardness, it's a good idea for the best man to meet the maid of honour before the wedding day. This will help them to get to know each other and ensure they are comfortable with each other.

The best man should also be aware of the maid of honour's role in the wedding and any duties she may have, so that he can support and assist her if needed. For example, they might want to discuss any on-the-day wedding gifts they plan to arrange for the couple, or other useful things to have on hand, such as large umbrellas in case of bad weather.

The best man should also be prepared to dance with the maid of honour during the reception. This is usually done after the first dance and is a way to encourage everyone onto the dance floor and get the party started.

Overall, the best man's role in escorting the maid of honour is an important one that helps to ensure the wedding ceremony and reception run smoothly and are enjoyable for all involved.

Frequently asked questions