Roles and Responsibilities

Best Man

When asked to be a Best Man you are over whelmed and joyed to be part of someone’s special day – they have asked you because you mean so much to them.

Your have several tasks to perform on the day and in the build up of the big day – but not to worry Wedding Talk is to hand to guide you through it with a simple planner of your role and responsibilities were even on hand to help you with your Speech.

6 months

Discuss the wedding plans with the bride, groom and chief bridesmaid.

4 months

Organise the stag party.
Prepare your speech for the reception.
Compile a list of close family members who should have special seating arrangements at the ceremony and share the infomation with the ushers.
Visit the ceremony and the reception venues with the bride and groom to check on timings, parking arrangements etc.

1 week before

Check the groom has all the necessary documents for the ceremony and the honeymoon. Double check their passports and visas.
Attend the wedding rehearsal.
Liaise with the ushers on the final arrangements.
Check for roadworks, diversions, carnivals etc taking place on the wedding day that may effect timings or the route.
Arrange transport for the groom and self to ceremony.
Arrange transport to and from the reception.
Arrange going away car for the bride and groom from the reception if required.
Make a note of details and availability of emergency taxi companies.
Finalise speech.
Have your hair cut.

The day before

Collect any hired clothing and accessories.
Wash car if driving to the ceremony.
Organise decorations for the going away car.

On the day

Check final arrangements for the ushers, buttonholes, order of service sheets and rings.
Collect telemessages, cards and emails to be read at the reception.
Keep the rings safe until the required time in the service.
Help the groom get ready (so be ready before him).
Ensure the groom gets to the church on time, which we advise is at least 20 minutes before the ceremony is due to start.

At the church

Check on the ushers.
Sit on the right hand front pew with the groom.
Witness the signing of the register, if required.
Ensure all fees are paid to the church or registrar.
Escort the chief bridesmaid out of the church.
Assist the photographer in organising the guests for the photographs.
Ensure everyone has transportation to the reception venue.

At the reception

Stand in the receiving line and greet the guests.
Announce the speeches and cake cutting, if there is no Master of Ceremonies or Toastmaster.
Read any cards, emails and telemessages.
Give the third and final speech and reply on behalf of the bridesmaids.
Dance with the chief bridesmaid once the bride and groom have completed their first dance.
Decorate the going away car.
Put any luggage required in the going away car.
Make sure the bride and groom go and change on time and announce to the guests that they are about to depart.
Take charge of the groom's wedding clothes, if required.

After the wedding

Ensure the wedding presents are safely stored.
Return any hired clothing and accessories.
The chief bridesmaid is usually a sister or close friend of the bride. However, if she is already married herself or if the bride is a widow and is re-marrying, her title becomes Matron of Honour. She will liaise closely with the bride during all the wedding preparations and help look after the other bridesmaids, flower girl and page boys.

Chief Bridesmaid

Normally this is the brides sister or best friend, your chief bridesmaid should be someone you can trust, who won’t mind helping out with the planning stages and someone you can turn to when it is all getting hectic and stressful.

9 months

Help the bride to choose her dress and the bridesmaids dresses.

6 months

Discuss the plans with the bride, groom and best man.
Discuss the dress or outfit with the bride, especially if being made. Ascertain who will pay for the outfit.

1 week before

Confirm final travel arrangements with the best man and any other ushers, including the time of arrival at the church or registry office.
Obtain for the best man a list of family and guests who should be personally escorted to their seats.
Attend the wedding rehearsal if required.
Have your hair cut.
Obtain large umbrellas.

The day before

Collect any hired clothing and accessories.

On the day

Ensure bouquets are ready for the bride, bridesmaids and flower girl.
Help the bride with her hair, make-up and dress.
Help the other bridesmaids, flower girls and page boys to get dressed and give them any final instructions on their duties.
Leave for the ceremony 10 minutes before the bride.

At the church

Arrange the bride's dress and veil.
Follow behind the bride and her father up the aisle.
Hold the bride's bouquet during the ceremony.
Witness the signing of the register if required.
Leave the church accompanied by the best man after the bride and groom.
Depart for the reception with any other bridesmaids and best man after the bride and groom.

At the reception

Stand in the receiving line and greet the guests.
Help to display and record gifts received.
Distribute slices of the wedding cake to the guests.
Have the first dance with the best man.
Help the bride change into her going away outfit.
Take care of her dress and accessories if required.

After the wedding

Return any hired clothing and accessories.

Ushers

The ushers are chosen by the groom nd are usually brothers, close relatives or friends of the bride and groom. Traditionally the ushers are the responsibility of the best man, who ensures they know their duties.

4 months

Arrange to purchase or hire clothes and agree who will pay for them.

1 week before

Confirm final travel arrangements with the best man and any other ushers, including the time of arrival at the church or register office.
Obtain for the best man a list of family and guests who should be personally escorted to their seats.
Attend the wedding rehearsal if required.
Have your hair cut.
Obtain large umbrellas.

The day before

Collect any hired clothing and accessories.

On the day

Collect buttonholes and order of service sheets from the brides home.
Arrive at the church at least half an hour before the ceremony is due to start.

At the church

Help with car parking facilities.
Greet the guests and hand out the buttonholes, order of service sheets and maps showing the route to the reception.
Ensure the officiant has order of service sheets for the bride and groom.
Seat couples with young babies and children near the exit.
Escort the brides mother and appropriate guests to their seats.
Assist the photographer.
Ensure the church is left tidy and check for any left property and unused order of service sheets.
Ensure all guests have transport to the reception.

At the reception

Assist with car parking facilities.
Offer drinks to the guests as they arrive if appropriate.
Assist any elderly or infirm guests.

After the wedding

Return any hired clothing and accessories.

Bridesmaids / attendants

It is completely your choice of how many bridesmaid you have if you have any. They can be older members of the family or close friend to the bride or smaller children. It is completely up to as well how active or in active you want them to be in the planning stages – though if they are involved in some aspect of the planning it makes them feel more special on the day it self. These are your support network and assistants throughout the wedding planning and day don’t be shy in asking for help, you will find they are eager to get involved.

6 months

Discuss the plans with the bride, groom and best man and chief bridesmaid
Discuss the dress or outfit with the bride, especially if being made. Ascertain who will pay for the outfit.

1 week before