Best Man: A Guide To Uk Traditions And Duties

Asking your best friend to be your best man can be nerve-racking, but it's also an exciting moment to share with your pal. There are many ways to ask, from a simple card to a more creative best man proposal with a gift. You can go for something funny, personalised, or sentimental. If you're looking for a card, you can choose from a range of styles, including rustic, gold foil, and funny designs. If you want to give a gift, there are plenty of options, such as a hip flask, pint glass, or a pair of socks. For a more luxurious option, you might consider a watch and wallet set, or a personalised whiskey tumbler.

Best Man Cards

A card is a great way to ask your best mate to be your best man. Whether you want to keep things simple and elegant, or funny and lighthearted, there is a card out there to suit your style.

If you're looking for a card with a rustic style, you might like the Rustic Best Man Card from Norma and Dorothy. This card has a pretty kraft finish, and the same style is also available for groomsmen, page boys and ushers. For a more elegant card, the Gold Foil Best Man Card from Zazzle is a great choice. This card features gold detailing and is available in navy or white. You can also add your own personalisation to the outside of the card, and print a special message inside.

For a fun twist on the traditional card, why not try a scratch card? With Puns offers a unique scratch card that can be personalised with your best man's name. They will then have to scratch off a gold heart to reveal the hidden message. Another fun option is the 'You'd Rock It In a Suit' Card from Wordplay Design. This card is sure to bring a smile to your best man's face and is a perfect way to ask your BFF to be by your side on your wedding day.

If you want to add a personal touch, you can customise the hair, clothes and skin colour on the card from The Sarky Cow Card to resemble your best man. This card is a great keepsake for your wedding day and you can even add a gift bag and wine label that can be personalised with your best man's name.

There are plenty of other card options available too, such as the 'Top Job Best Man Card' from Joanne Hawker, which will let your best man know exactly how much they mean to you. Or, for a more affordable option, the 'Will You Be My Best Man?' Calligraphy Card from Sarah Burns Prints is an elegant choice that can be tailored to your wedding theme.

Best Man Gifts

There are many gift ideas for the best man at a UK wedding. Here are some suggestions:

Gifts to Accompany the "Will You Be My Best Man?" Question

These gifts are typically given when the groom asks their friend to be their best man, and are often accompanied by a card.

• A personalised print, such as a movie-style art print or a colourful print with scope for in-jokes.
• A monogrammed glass, such as a gilded monogram glass or a personalised pint glass.
• Alcohol, such as a bottle of single malt or a selection of beers.
• A book, such as a book of modern speeches or a book on cycling routes.
• A card, such as a personalised "Will You Be My Best Man?" card or a simple, meaningful card that can be kept long after the day.
• A pocket watch, such as an art-deco-style engraved silver pocket watch.
• A pocket square, such as a silk pocket square.
• A tie.
• Cufflinks, such as monogrammed or rectangular brushed cufflinks.
• Socks, such as personalised wedding socks.
• A beard grooming kit, such as a conditioning beard oil.
• A hip flask, such as a personalised hip flask.
• Whisky-themed gifts, such as whisky marmalade or a whisky and smoke set.
• Cheese, such as a cheese of the month selection.
• A photo frame, such as a geometric diamond photo frame.
• A wallet, such as a leather credit card holder wallet.

Gifts for the Wedding Day

These gifts are given to the best man on the wedding day and are often personalised.

• A personalised toiletry bag.
• A personalised duffel bag.
• A personalised cooler bag.
• A personalised flask set with a wooden box.
• A personalised cigar tube.
• A personalised money clip.
• A personalised hip flask and up to five items (e.g. a gift bag, bottle opener, whisky or beer glass, hanger and socks).
• A personalised toiletry wash bag with initials or a name.
• A personalised gentleman's toiletry bag.
• A personalised wallet, such as a minimalist groomsmen wallet.
• A personalised weekender bag.
• A personalised rucksack.
• A personalised lighter, such as a Zippo lighter.
• A personalised gift box, such as a bamboo gift box.
• A personalised pocket knife, such as a Leatherman utility knife.
• A personalised watch, such as a watch made from bourbon barrels.
• A gift card to their favourite restaurant or store.
• A personalised tie or tie clasp.
• A personalised pocket square.
• A personalised cigar holder.
• A personalised cigarette case.
• A personalised pen, such as a two-tone pen in a case.
• A personalised business/credit card holder.
• A personalised compass, such as a graphite grey compass in a tin gift box.
• A personalised bottle opener, such as a waiters mate bottle opener with a metallic panel.
• A personalised shot glass, such as a big gulp shot glass.
• A personalised bottle opener, such as an ace of spades bottle opener.
• A personalised beer koozie.
• A personalised glass, such as a quality piece of glass.
• A personalised sunglasses.

Best Man Proposal Ideas

Asking your best mate to be your best man can be nerve-racking. You want to impress your pal and mark the moment. Here are some ideas for best man proposals:

Gifts

• A personalised print—make him the star of your show with a movie-style art print.
• A monogrammed glass—if you prefer a more subtle style of personalisation, opt for a cool gilded glass.
• A single malt—a fine single malt will go down a treat when popping the question.
• A personalised cooler backpack—his initials can be embroidered in a wide array of shades and fonts.
• A hip flask—a quintessential groomsman gift, a bespoke hip flask will deliver a little pre-best man speech Dutch courage.
• A tie—if you’ve decided on your wedding suit styling, kit him out early by giving him a tie.
• Cufflinks—sleek and understated monogrammed cufflinks will go with every suit and shirt combo and become a go-to for decades to come.

Cards

• A personalised card—tailor the shade of the script and the envelope to suit your wedding theme.
• A scratchcard—add your best man’s name and choose between a grey, pink or blue balloon to put their mark on it.
• A postcard—a postcard is a perfect keepsake gift from the groom.

Other Ideas

• A telegram—correspondence with your best man doesn’t get more old-school than via telegram.
• A pocket watch—an art-deco-style engraved silver pocket watch is a snappy addition to any suit and will encourage him to be bang on time on your wedding day.
• A book—handing over a book like The Penguin Book of Modern Speeches might give the game away, but be sure to follow up with the big question.

Best Man Speech Ideas

There are many elements to a best man's speech, and it can be a daunting task, but with some planning and preparation, you can deliver a memorable and entertaining speech. Here is a guide to help you craft your speech:

Start with a bang and capture the audience's attention. Open with a joke or a light-hearted comment to set the tone and put everyone in a good mood. Introduce yourself, as many guests may not know who you are. You can also mention how honoured you are to be the best man and how special the day is for the couple.

Personal Anecdotes and Memories:

Share personal stories, anecdotes, and memories about the couple, especially those that are unique and bring a smile to your face. People love hearing about the bride and groom's relationship from a different perspective. Include some sweet or funny moments you have witnessed or experienced with them.

Humorous Stories and Jokes:

The audience will be expecting some humour in your speech, so prepare some jokes or light-hearted stories. Make fun of the groom playfully; perhaps joke about his style, dress sense, or romantic prowess. Keep the jokes appropriate, especially if there are older family members present. If you are childhood friends, you can share some coming-of-age stories. If you worked together, share a tale of something that went wrong but was resolved by the groom.

Tribute to the Bride and Groom:

In this section, highlight the qualities and virtues that make the bride and groom special as individuals and how those qualities complement each other. Talk about their values, personalities, and beliefs and how they fit together. For example, you can mention how the bride's passion complements the groom's calm and collected nature.

Words of Advice and Well Wishes:

Here, you can offer some personal relationship advice or share your perspective on marriage. If you are married, you can share some wisdom from your own experience. If not, you can provide some general tips on topics like making up after an argument, celebrating each other's successes, or supporting each other through tough times.

Thanking the Guests and Wedding Party:

This section is important as it shows your appreciation for those who have contributed to the wedding. Thank the bride for her efforts and compliment her. Thank the in-laws as a sign of respect. Also, acknowledge the bridesmaids, groomsmen, and other family members or friends who played a role in the wedding.

Closing Remarks and Toast:

Finish your speech with some well-chosen words to celebrate the couple. You can use a quote or a simple wish for their future together. Raise a glass and invite the guests to join you in toasting the happy couple.

Remember to keep your speech within an appropriate time frame, usually around 5-15 minutes. Practise your speech beforehand, but don't read directly from a script—use cue cards instead. Enjoy the moment and try to relax, as the audience is on your side and wants you to succeed.

Best Man Duties

Being the best man at a wedding is a big responsibility and a great honour. Here is a detailed list of duties to fulfil the role:

Pre-Wedding:

• Assist with outfit details: Help the groom and groomsmen with their wedding attire choices and any last-minute issues.
• Organise the bachelor party: Plan the entire celebration and recruit the groomsmen to help. Consult with the groom to host an event that suits his wishes.
• Coordinate the groom's gift: If the groomsmen are getting a gift for the groom, the best man usually takes charge, collecting money and choosing the gift.
• Provide emotional support: Be there for the groom, listen to his concerns and reassure him.
• Be present for the rehearsal: Help to wrangle the wedding party and keep the schedule on track. You may also make a small toast at the rehearsal dinner.

On the Wedding Day:

• Keep the groom and groomsmen on schedule: Ensure everyone gets to the venue on time and help to wrangle the groomsmen throughout the day.
• Hold the wedding rings: Keep the rings safe until they are needed for the ceremony.
• Welcome guests: As a close friend or relative, the best man often knows many of the guests, so they are well-placed to greet and welcome people to the wedding.
• Witness the marriage: The best man and maid of honour are usually the witnesses for the marriage license, so be ready with a pen!
• Make a speech: If the couple opens the floor for toasts, the best man often goes first. The speech should be well-crafted, focusing on the couple and their love story.
• Keep the reception moving: Be the first one on the dance floor and mingle to ensure everyone is having a great time. You may also dance with the bride, maid of honour, and mothers of the bride and groom.
• Emcee: If the DJ or band is late, the best man may need to step in, crack some jokes and get the party started.
• Collect gifts: Help to ensure gifts are in the right place and may need to deposit cheques.

Post-Wedding:

• Take care of the groom's clothing: Ensure his outfit is returned, especially if it is a rental, and that it is not damaged.
• Check-in with vendors: Make sure all wedding expenses are settled before the night ends.
• Coordinate and decorate the getaway car: Help to organise the couple's transport and decorate the car.

The best man has a vital role in supporting the groom and ensuring the wedding runs smoothly. It is a busy role but a very special one!

Frequently asked questions