THE BEST MAN

The best man has the most duties to perform on the day of the wedding. Prior to the wedding he will have been busy with formal wear fittings, helping the Groom and coordinating the rest of the groomsmen and ushers. He will likely have planned the bachelor party or at least been involved in its planning and successful execution.

The Best Man is most often your brother or best friend. Likewise, it can be another close relative or friend, the Groom's father - or - In the case of a second marriage. his son. Due to the responsibilities of this position. It is important for the Groom to select someone dependable.

The best man's duties include:

BEFORE THE WEDDING DAY:

• Organizes or helps organize the stag party
• Attends any pre-nuptial parties in the couple's honour
• Helps select formal wear
• Attends formal wear fittings
• Pays for own wedding attire
• Confirms honeymoon reservations and ensures that Groom has tickets. traveler's cheques. etc.
• Confirms in town hotel reservation for the wedding night. registers the couple, and makes sure the groom gets the keys
• Runs errands as necessary
• Coordinates reservations, keys and travel arrangements for the out of town guests
• Attends rehearsal and rehearsal dinner

ON THE WEDDING DAY:

• Gets up early and has a good breakfast
• Is on time for any appointments such as manicure or shoe shine
• Is on time for getting dressed (at the Groom's home or elsewhere)
• Arrives early to help the Groom dress and finish packing
• Gets payment envelopes from Groom for clergy member (a cheque is made out in the clergy member's name, not the church), organist. etc.
• Holds the marriage license
• Gets Bride's ring and keeps in a secure place, or if there is a ring bearer, attaches the rings securely to the pillow
• Provides early - on time transportation for the Groom to the ceremony site
• Keeps the Groom calm in the minutes just preceding the ceremony
• Coordinates the ushers
• Signs marriage documents as an official witness
• Delivers all payment envelopes to correct recipients
• Helps Bride and Groom into the car leaving the ceremony
• Ensures the wedding party and principal family members are in correct cars leaving the church and that ALL drivers know exactly where they are going
• Possibly drives Bride and Groom to the photography site or reception
• Participates in photography sessions
• Sees that Bride's and Groom's luggage is in 'get-away' car
• Ensures that Groom has all the tickets. passports, travelers cheques, itinerary, baggage checks, etc. that he will need for the honeymoon
• Makes sure 'get-away' can is in a convenient location and has a working engine (it's fun to decorate their car with balloons and confetti - but not to spend time under the hood re-arranging wires)
• Participates in the receiving line
• Offers the first toast at the reception
• Dances with Bride, maid of honour, bridesmaids, mothers of the Bride and Groom and other guests
• Helps Groom change into going away clothes
• Facilitates Bride and Groom getting away from the reception

AFTER THE WEDDING:

• Returns Groom's and personal formal wear if rented or takes to cleaners and picks up when ready.

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