The Best Man

• Offer any assistance necessary to the groom.

• Organise the pre-wedding or bachelor party at least one week before the wedding, ensure that the groom is looked after on this occasion and that the practical jokes do not get out of hand.

• Organise the delivery and return of the men's wedding clothes from the formal wear hire store.

• Ensure that the groom gets to the church in plenty of time, stand next to him at the altar and hand him the rings at the appropriate time during the ceremony.

• Act as one of the official witnesses at the signing of the register, escort the matron-of- honour/chief bridesmaid into the vestry or area where the signing will take place.

• Take particular care of the matron-of-honour/ chief bridesmaid at the reception and give her your full consideration.

• Organise payment/donation of church fees with money given to you by the groom.

• Ensure that all guests have transport to the reception.

• At the reception help the bride's parents by making sure the receiving line moves quickly (if there is to be one) and that the guests have something to drink.

• Help the photographer by organising the wedding groups to pose.

• Write your speech for the reception, know when to deliver it, read out any messages and good wishes cards at the reception.

• At the reception ensure that the groom has somewhere to change, that he has all the clothes he needs, and make sure the bride and groom get away in time for their plane, train or other travel arrangements.

• Ensure safekeeping of all tickets, passports, etc. for the honeymoon during the wedding day and make sure they are handed to the groom.

• Take care of the groom's wedding clothes after the reception.

• Help pack the "going-away" car with the bridal couple's luggage.

• It is traditional to go on to some kind of celebration after the bride and groom have left the reception, and the best man should look after the bridesmaids at this time and also see that the bride's parents are looked after.

• Be on hand to help with anything that needs to be done after the reception and offer your assistance to the bride’s and groom's parents at all times.

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