On the big day
There’s work to be done -- and fun to be had -- when the big day arrives
You have a lot on today -- so much, in fact, that you probably won't even have time to get nervous about your speech (as if ...). Here’s the confetti Complete Guide to the best man’s tasks on the big day.
First thing
Meet the groom at least a couple of hours before you need to leave for the ceremony venue and help make sure he’s prepared.
- Check he has everything he’ll need for the honeymoon especially the tickets and passports. Make sure you put the honeymoon luggage in the right vehicle.
- Collect the buttonholes for the groom, ushers and yourself.
It’s traditional to check with the bride/bride’s family for any last-minute messages you might need to pass on, or announcements you might need to make. There may also be telegrams to collect to read out at the reception, which have arrived on the morning.
Before you go
Most importantly, make sure you have the rings(s) and money for the church fees (civil wedding fees will have been paid beforehand).
- A telephone call to the bride’s father telling him when you are leaving will be welcome!
- Take the groom to the ceremony venue, making sure you arrive at least 30 minutes before the ceremony is due to begin. Check you have some confetti if the venue allows it.
At the ceremony
- Make sure you have the rings (again). Check the Order of Service sheets have been brought to the venue to hand to guests as they arrive.
- Make sure your ushers are wearing their buttonholes. If buttonholes have been ordered for guests, check they have been delivered and to whom they should be given.
- Get the ushers in line! Organise one on each side of the entrance to hand out Order of Service sheets. If the couple is following a traditional seating plan, make sure the ushers know to direct the bride’s relatives to the left-hand side of the church and the groom’s to the right.
- If the bride and groom have a page boy or ring bearer in the wedding party, have a chat, man to man. Make sure he knows when he’ll need to step up to the mark with the rings.
In a church ceremony you will need to:
- Pay the church fees on behalf of the groom and check one last time you’ve got those rings.
- Take your seat with the groom on the front right-hand pew while waiting for the bride. Shortly before the bride arrives, you will be prompted to stand in position at the head of the aisle, to the groom’s right.
- Hand over the ring(s) at the right time during the ceremony -- your big moment.
- After the service, accompany the chief bridesmaid (or matron of honour) and the bride and groom to the vestry for the signing of the register. You may also be asked by the groom to sign the register as a witness.
- Join the procession down the aisle following in line after the bride and groom, the bride’s father and groom’s mother and the groom’s father and bride’s mother. Traditionally, you escort the chief bridesmaid from the church on your left arm.
In a ceremony at a register office or a licensed venue, you will need to:
- Take your seat with the groom on the front right-hand seats while waiting for the bride to arrive. Shortly before the bride enters, you will be prompted to stand in position before the registrar, to the groom’s right.
- Hand over the ring(s) at the required moment as prompted by the registrar.
- Sign the register as a witness, if asked to by the groom.
- Join the procession out of the room, following in line after the bride and groom, the bride’s father with the groom’s mother and the groom’s father with the bride’s mother. Traditionally, you escort the chief bridesmaid on your left arm.
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