You’ve officially been asked to be best man! Out of all of his friends, family and work colleagues, you are the best — but how do you make yourself even better? House of Fraser, home to a selection of best man suits, shares their tips on how to be a good best man.
Also Read:- 7 Steps to be a Top Notch Bridesmaid
1. Perfect your speech
After the ceremony and first dance, the best man’s speech is often a highlight of the day, so it’s important you get it right.
You may be tempted to get some ideas from Google, but cutting and pasting ‘heartfelt phrases’ and ‘sentimental sentences’ into your speech is far from considerate! You’ll feel like a fraud and your audience will pick up on your clichés.
Instead, spend time crafting a personal speech that comes from the heart. Throw in a few slightly embarrassing stories (a speech wouldn’t be complete without them!) and don’t rely on dad jokes or slapstick humor.
Do: Know your audience and what you can get away with. Some ninety year old grandmothers appreciate the odd crude joke but not all!
Don’t: Make it too long — a rambling speech documenting the groom’s life from birth to present day is far from entertaining.
2. Organize the stag party
As best man, you’ll need to take charge of the stag party. A lot of importance is put on the groom’s last night of freedom, so it’s vital that you get it right — no pressure!
Choose something you know he’ll like. Paintballing, go karting and quad biking are great daytime activities, and who doesn’t love a big night out? Offer a range of options that suit everyone’s budget to make sure all of the groom’s nearest and dearest can attend.
Do: Make sure everyone (especially the groom) has a plan for coming home!
Don’t: Let the groom get a tattoo, particularly somewhere visible for the big day.
3. Encourage people to dance
Not a dancer? Too bad! As best man, you’ll spend a large chunk of your time on the dancefloor.
It is your responsibility to get the party started while the bride and groom work the room, chatting to their guests. It doesn’t matter if you’ve got two left feet, you’ll dance with everyone from mother of the groom to the bridesmaids — basically, anyone who strays near the dancefloor!
Do: Start a conga line! Everyone loves them, no matter how much they protest.
Don’t: Be that person… there’s always one and don’t let it be you.
4. Know the running order of the day
Despite it being their day, the bride and groom will have very little time to spend seeing to their guests. While they’re busy with photographs, it’s your duty to explain the running order of the day to guests.
Guests will probably already have an idea of what’s happening and when, but it’s your job to herd them up and make sure they’re at the right place at the right time. With your army of ushers in place, you’ll ensure the day runs perfectly from start to finish.
Do: Help keep everyone organised and out of trouble, the happy couple will thank you for it.
Don’t: Have one too many pints of Dutch courage before the speech and end up the barman’s best friend.
5. Attend all suit fittings
As best man, you should offer practical advice to the groom when it comes to picking out suits. Even if you hate shopping, you should be as helpful as possible and willing to try a variety of suits on.
You’ll need to attend all suit fittings too, no matter how time-consuming and dull you find them. If you don’t you could be remembered as the best man whose suit didn’t fit!
Do: Be honest with everyone, when the photos get produced it’ll be noticed
Don’t: Try and stitch up the groom and encourage him to look too ‘jazzy’ for your enjoyment.
6. Keep the groom calm
It’s the eve of the wedding and the groom is starting to panic — that’s where you come in. You’ll be by his side to offer advice and calm him down. Remind him why he is getting married and, if the heart to hearts don’t work, take his mind of it with a night of pizzas, beer and his favorite movies. The perfect pre-wedding prep — just make sure there are no hangovers on the big day!
Do: Lock the doors. When/if those cold feet set in desperate measures might be needed.
Don’t: Scare him with horror stories of being left at the altar – this will not help matters!
7. Collect the presents at the end of the night
The bride and groom have retired for the night, the bridesmaids are nowhere to be found and the ushers are worse for wear — it’s up to you to collect the presents at the end of the night. To ensure nothing is left behind at the venue, collect all of the presents and cards and store them safely in your room or car.
Do: Be a truly exceptional best man and drop them off at the bride and groom’s house the next day
Don’t: Keep them all for yourself, no matter how tempting that Nutri Bullet is!
About The Author:-
Bethanie Dennisis the Digital Marketing Manager at Media Works.
Also Read:- 7 Steps to be a Top Notch Bridesmaid
1. Perfect your speech
After the ceremony and first dance, the best man’s speech is often a highlight of the day, so it’s important you get it right.
You may be tempted to get some ideas from Google, but cutting and pasting ‘heartfelt phrases’ and ‘sentimental sentences’ into your speech is far from considerate! You’ll feel like a fraud and your audience will pick up on your clichés.
Instead, spend time crafting a personal speech that comes from the heart. Throw in a few slightly embarrassing stories (a speech wouldn’t be complete without them!) and don’t rely on dad jokes or slapstick humor.
Do: Know your audience and what you can get away with. Some ninety year old grandmothers appreciate the odd crude joke but not all!
Don’t: Make it too long — a rambling speech documenting the groom’s life from birth to present day is far from entertaining.
2. Organize the stag party
As best man, you’ll need to take charge of the stag party. A lot of importance is put on the groom’s last night of freedom, so it’s vital that you get it right — no pressure!
Choose something you know he’ll like. Paintballing, go karting and quad biking are great daytime activities, and who doesn’t love a big night out? Offer a range of options that suit everyone’s budget to make sure all of the groom’s nearest and dearest can attend.
Do: Make sure everyone (especially the groom) has a plan for coming home!
Don’t: Let the groom get a tattoo, particularly somewhere visible for the big day.
3. Encourage people to dance
Not a dancer? Too bad! As best man, you’ll spend a large chunk of your time on the dancefloor.
It is your responsibility to get the party started while the bride and groom work the room, chatting to their guests. It doesn’t matter if you’ve got two left feet, you’ll dance with everyone from mother of the groom to the bridesmaids — basically, anyone who strays near the dancefloor!
Do: Start a conga line! Everyone loves them, no matter how much they protest.
Don’t: Be that person… there’s always one and don’t let it be you.
4. Know the running order of the day
Despite it being their day, the bride and groom will have very little time to spend seeing to their guests. While they’re busy with photographs, it’s your duty to explain the running order of the day to guests.
Guests will probably already have an idea of what’s happening and when, but it’s your job to herd them up and make sure they’re at the right place at the right time. With your army of ushers in place, you’ll ensure the day runs perfectly from start to finish.
Do: Help keep everyone organised and out of trouble, the happy couple will thank you for it.
Don’t: Have one too many pints of Dutch courage before the speech and end up the barman’s best friend.
5. Attend all suit fittings
As best man, you should offer practical advice to the groom when it comes to picking out suits. Even if you hate shopping, you should be as helpful as possible and willing to try a variety of suits on.
You’ll need to attend all suit fittings too, no matter how time-consuming and dull you find them. If you don’t you could be remembered as the best man whose suit didn’t fit!
Do: Be honest with everyone, when the photos get produced it’ll be noticed
Don’t: Try and stitch up the groom and encourage him to look too ‘jazzy’ for your enjoyment.
6. Keep the groom calm
It’s the eve of the wedding and the groom is starting to panic — that’s where you come in. You’ll be by his side to offer advice and calm him down. Remind him why he is getting married and, if the heart to hearts don’t work, take his mind of it with a night of pizzas, beer and his favorite movies. The perfect pre-wedding prep — just make sure there are no hangovers on the big day!
Do: Lock the doors. When/if those cold feet set in desperate measures might be needed.
Don’t: Scare him with horror stories of being left at the altar – this will not help matters!
7. Collect the presents at the end of the night
The bride and groom have retired for the night, the bridesmaids are nowhere to be found and the ushers are worse for wear — it’s up to you to collect the presents at the end of the night. To ensure nothing is left behind at the venue, collect all of the presents and cards and store them safely in your room or car.
Do: Be a truly exceptional best man and drop them off at the bride and groom’s house the next day
Don’t: Keep them all for yourself, no matter how tempting that Nutri Bullet is!
About The Author:-
Bethanie Dennisis the Digital Marketing Manager at Media Works.
