Role of the Best Man

Before the day
It is up to him to arrange a stag night/weekend several weeks in advance of the ceremony, make sure the ushers are correctly dressed and briefed for their duties, meet with the bride and groom’s parents and bridesmaids before the day, visit the ceremony and reception venues in order to become familiar with their layouts and attend the rehearsals and introduce people that may not know each other.

On the day
The best man is usually the groom’s best friend and should stay with the groom the night before the wedding. It is up to him to check that the groom knows what is going to happen on the day and has everything he needs. Firstly the best man must be outside to greet the ushers and guests and then wait with the groom before the ceremony begins. The best man is there to make sure there are no problems before or during the ceremony and must make himself known to the ceremony officiate. He must also make sure everyone is seated correctly and look out for a nod from the chief usher to signal that the bride has arrived. Most importantly, the best man is in charge of the rings so he must be reliable and present them at the correct moment.

The best man must accompany the chief bridesmaid down the aisle once he has greeted the bridal party in the vestry/register. Once the ceremony is over the best man will make sure the couple are ready to have their photos taken and will usher them into their car to take them to the reception. He will then guide all of the bridesmaids, families of the bride and groom and ushers to the correct cars to follow the couple to the reception.

Once at the reception, the best man will introduce people who do not know each other and deliver his speech without having drunk too much before-hand. Once the reception is over the best man should make sure all the couple’s luggage and travel documents are safely in the get-away vehicle. Once the couple has left the reception the best man should make sure all guests leave the venue safely and organise travel when appropriate.