If he's the BEST MAN? What are the rest like?

The Lonliest man in the room is the man about to make a speech in public.... and at a wedding the one who speaks most in public is the bestman. As a service to people preparing their wedding plans - heres my view on it.

Usually the designated guy is the groom’s best friend or maybe his brother. The groom has thought long and hard about which of his friends he’ll offload this horrendous obligation to. But in the end it all boils down to THE SPEECH.

That’s the tricky bit. The Groom usually gets to speak before the bestman – so it may be a case of the groom getting his retaliation in first.

So what does the bestman have to do to be a good bestman?

• Plans the Stag night
• Rents and pay for the specified tux from the specified supplier in the correct design, and goes for fittings.
• Attends the rehearsal, if there is one.
• Helps bring any boxes or flowers to ceremony and reception location.
• Helps the groom dress and make sure he gets to the church on time.
• Stands at the grooms side until the bride comes up the Aisle. Then he steps away.
• Keeps the wedding rings until the ring exchange. He may be asked to hold both rings or none at all if the ring bearer has them.
• Signs the marriage certificate.
• Hands over the envelope with the officiant’s or church’s fee in it. You will give this the priest/officiant before the ceremony.
• Tips the Limousine Driver
• Pays the Photographer.
• Finds and rounds up all the families for photographs
• Sits to the groom’s left at the reception.
• Makes the first toast to the bride and groom
• Replies on behalf of the Bridesmaids.
• Reads out the cards and messages.
• Dances with the chief bridesmaid.
• Arranges transportation or personally drives the bride and groom to the hotel or the airport.
• Collects and returns all formalwear rentals on time.
• Helps the chief bridesmaid bring gifts to the bride and groom’s house.

Finally, there is no definitive "right way" or indeed a definitive "wrong way" either - there is your own way which is, for you, definitely the right way to do it. Some hotels will allow you to have your speeches before the meal - others will not allow it - so check with your hotel if you're planning speeches early.