The Best Man's Guide To A Memorable Wedding

Being the best man at a wedding is a huge honour, but it's also a big responsibility. The best man is the groom's right-hand man, tasked with supporting the groom and ensuring he enjoys one of the greatest days of his life. The role traditionally goes to the groom's closest friend or family member, but there are no rules – it could be a best woman, bridesman, or any other title the couple prefers.

The best man's duties include planning the bachelor party, writing and delivering a speech, helping to choose the groomsmen's attire, and keeping the wedding rings safe. On the day, the best man is in charge of keeping the groom and groomsmen on schedule, greeting guests, and acting as an unofficial host at the reception.

The role can be daunting, but it's ultimately about supporting the groom and serving as a point of contact for the groomsmen. So, if you've been chosen as best man, get ready to roll up your sleeves and help make the happy couple's day as special as it can be!

Organise the stag do

As the best man, organising the stag do is one of your most important duties. It's a big responsibility, but with some careful planning, you can make it a memorable event for the groom. Here are some tips to help you get started:

• Start planning early: Don't procrastinate on this one. The earlier you start, the less stressful it will be, and the better the stag do will be. Aim to have a date in the diary a few months before the wedding.
• Consult the groom: Ask the groom for a list of people he wants to attend. Don't assume you know everyone he wants to invite. Get a sense of his preferences and what kind of celebration he has in mind.
• Consider budgets: Keep in mind that everyone's budget is different. Try to organise something that everyone can afford so that no one is left out.
• Choose a location: Will it be a local celebration or a trip abroad? Consider the budget and time constraints when deciding on a location.
• Personalise the event: Make the stag do special and tailored to the groom's interests. It could be a day of golf, a night out, or a weekend getaway.
• Involve the groomsmen: Planning a stag do is a team effort. Enlist the help of the groomsmen to make the event even more memorable. They can provide recommendations and share the logistics.
• Avoid last-minute hiccups: In the lead-up to the event, confirm all the arrangements, including flights, accommodation, and activities.
• Keep it safe: As the organiser, it's your responsibility to ensure everyone's safety. Make sure no one drives drunk, and keep an eye on the group to prevent any mishaps.
• Time it well: Try to organise the stag do at least a month before the wedding. This gives everyone time to recover and look their best on the wedding day.

Remember, the stag do is all about celebrating the groom and creating lasting memories with his closest friends. So, have fun with the planning and don't stress too much about perfection. Enjoy the process, and your efforts will surely be appreciated!

Give a best man's speech

Giving a Best Man's Speech

The best man's speech is one of the most important parts of the wedding reception. It's your chance to celebrate your friend and share some kind words with the newlyweds. Here are some tips to help you deliver a memorable and engaging speech:

Preparation:

• Start preparing your speech months in advance. Giving yourself enough time will make the process less stressful.
• Brainstorm ideas and outline your speech. Think about the structure and the key points you want to make.
• If there are multiple best men, collaborate with them to write and practise the speech together.
• Practise your speech beforehand so that you feel comfortable and confident during the delivery.
• Consider getting help from a professional to refine your speech and make it more engaging.

Content:

• Introduce yourself at the beginning of the speech.
• Share positive stories and anecdotes about the groom. It's a good opportunity to include some light-hearted and funny moments, but make sure they are appropriate for a family audience.
• Compliment the bride and talk about how well-suited they are as a couple.
• Include a toast to the newlyweds and ask everyone to raise their glasses to celebrate.
• Keep the speech relatively short, around 1-2 minutes.

Delivery:

• Speak slowly and clearly, and remember to pause for laughter at the appropriate moments.
• Mention everyone who needs to be mentioned, such as the newlyweds, the bride's and groom's families, and any guests who have travelled a long distance.
• Be confident and try to enjoy the moment. Remember that the audience is on your side and wants you to succeed.
• If you're feeling nervous, focus on reminiscing about your adventures with the groom. Your genuine enthusiasm will shine through.

Remember that the most important thing is to celebrate the newlyweds and make them feel special. With some preparation and a positive attitude, you'll be able to deliver a fantastic best man's speech that everyone will remember.

Help choose the suits

As the best man, one of your main duties will be to help the groom and the other groomsmen choose their wedding formalwear. This includes helping with final suit selections and coordinating the other groomsmen's ensembles—you might need to gather everyone's measurements, give the group an order-by deadline, or even place the order yourself.

• Discuss ideas with the couple about style, and also decide whether the groomswear is to be bought or hired. Traditionally, the couple pays for the wedding suits or hire, but if it’s decided that financial contributions are required, make sure this is discussed openly and upfront with the ushers so everyone is aware.
• If you don't already know the other groomsmen, arrange to meet them. Knowing who they are and what their roles and duties are will help you coordinate with them more effectively.
• If the groomsmen are spread around the country, it might be easier to ask for their measurements instead of arranging a time for everyone to go to the suit shop together.
• Be honest when the groom asks for your opinion—you both need to look your best on the big day.
• If the groomsmen are renting or buying their attire from the same retailer, make sure the order is placed, alterations are made, and everyone receives their attire in a timely fashion.
• Talk to the groom about what he wants everyone to wear and whether everyone is expected to match or coordinate. If so, look into ordering as a group to save some money.

Be the groom's right-hand man

Being the groom's right-hand man is one of the most important duties of the best man. Here are some ways to ensure you are providing the groom with the support he needs:

Before the Wedding

• Help choose the suits: Assist the groom in rounding up the ushers and other important members of the wedding party to go and try on wedding suits. It's a good idea to discuss ideas with the couple about style and decide whether the suits will be bought or hired.
• Offer to help with wedding planning tasks: Offer to lend a helping hand with organising the more logistical details like booking vendors, managing RSVPs, or coordinating schedules.
• Check in with the groom: Take some time out to check in with the groom and provide a listening ear for any nerves or wedding anxiety he may be feeling.
• Help with the pre-wedding set-up: Help the couple by picking up and delivering any hired items, such as the wedding suits, and offer to pitch in with any set-up at the venue.

On the Wedding Day

• Help the groom get ready: Be as hands-on as possible with whatever last-minute tasks come your way.
• Keep the groom and groomsmen on schedule: Keep an eye on the clock to ensure everyone gets to the venue on time.
• Hold the wedding rings: Be entrusted with keeping the wedding rings safe ahead of the ceremony.
• Greet the guests with the groom: Ensure the groom arrives at the venue at least 20 minutes before the ceremony is scheduled to begin, and stand by his side to welcome and greet the arriving guests.
• Stand at the altar with the groom: Take your place on the front right-hand side of the ceremony room at the altar. If you are the ring-bearer, make sure you have the rings ready for when the couple exchanges them.
• Be the groom's personal aide: Deliver a letter to his future spouse, serve as a point of contact for vendors, and ensure that the groom eats and drinks enough.
• Be the time enforcer: Ensure the groomsmen arrive on time for the rehearsal, pre-wedding activities, the portrait session, and the ceremony.

After the Wedding

• Return and clean suits: Round up and return any hired items, such as suits and any decorative details used at the venue. If the suits weren't hired, take them to be dry-cleaned.
• Take care of wedding gifts: Safely store the wedding gifts if the couple goes on their honeymoon straight away. Collect gifts, cards, and things like the guest book and any important keepsakes from the venue and deliver them to the couple.
• Decorate the getaway car: Help coordinate car transportation for the newlyweds to leave the reception and enlist the help of the wedding party to decorate the car.

Keep the wedding rings safe

Keeping the wedding rings safe is one of the best man's most important duties. Here are some tips to ensure you don't lose the rings:

• Find a safe place for the rings.
• Triple-check your pockets don't have holes!
• If the ring bearer is carrying the rings down the aisle on a pillow, you'll fasten the rings to the pillow as you're lining up for the processional.
• When the ring bearer reaches the end of the aisle, they will pass the rings to you for safekeeping until they're requested by the officiant.
• During the ceremony, stand beside the groom at the altar. When it's time for the rings to be exchanged, hand them over.
• If you're not the official ring bearer, you might still be asked to hold the couple's personal items, such as their phones or money.

If you're worried about fumbling the rings on the day, you could slip the ring lightly onto your little finger so it can be discreetly removed when needed.

Frequently asked questions