Who's been a best man?

[thehappyotter]

My best mate is getting married next Saturday and i'm the best man.

Being organised as usual i've not even started my speach... I guess it's time to start writing something??? Has anyone here been a best man? Any tips for how to do things and more importantly, how not to...

The groom and I do have a nice bottle of single malt to drink before the service so it should be intresting!

Any ideas???

[FlyTexas]

(sheepishly holds up hand) I have. My advice to you is to double-check anything related to the wedding that's your responsibility. It's very easy to forget things in the hectic hours leading up to a wedding. When I was a best man I forgot one little detail...my shirt. To make a long story short the Groom and I were running late and were rushing to get dressed at the Church when I noticed that I'd forgotten my shirt. The Groom just about died laughing. As luck would have it I was able to find a suitable temporary replacement in a large box containing clothes being donated to the poor. Now if I would of had a bottle of single malt before that wedding I'd probably have forgotten my pants as well. Have a great time at the wedding, and congrats on being the best man.

Brian

[DispatchDragon]

Rob

I did it once - many years ago for my Cousins wedding

from what I can remember it all went well - things got a bit hazy after the service was over

Just remember to hold on to the ring !!!!!!!!

And Unless you wished to be regaled as the reason for the couples first child DO NOT place two bottle of

champagne in the Limo when the couple departs

CHEERS

Leif

[DaveB]

Hi Rob..

Done it a couple of times for my sins and knew very few of the guests on either occassion. The second was quite easy.. the bride was from Yorkshire (where the wedding was held) and the groom from London so a succession of quips about 'Southerners' and drivel about him being an Arsenal supporter went down well with the flat cap brigade. Not sure what he thought about it but I had to get him back for asking me to be best man

ATB

DaveB :tab:

[DelP]

Rob...and this is most important..

...if part of the service involves the Bride and Groom kneeling, then it's your solemn duty to paint 'HE LP' in large white letters across the soles of the grooms shoe's...

Derek ;-)

[Nigel H-J]

Here you go Rob,

As the rest here will take great delight in getting you wound up long before you get to the church!!

Take a read of this:

http://www.hitched.co.uk/planning/roles ... stman.aspx

http://www.hitched.co.uk/speeches/speechhome.aspx

Oh, by the way........Good luck.

Regards
Nigel.

[thehappyotter]

Thanks for the advice so far guys, i'm not too nervous yet but am sure I will be on the day.

I do like the paint on the bottom of the shoes idea, I think i'll get just a little told off if I did though...

[RJP]

When anyone doubts how useful the internet can be I often mention my sister choosing the music for her wedding from an internet site.

So I was sure a site like this would exist;

http://www.thebestman.com/

Gotta admit, if I were asked the reaction would be the same as when I got the letter calling me for jury service, i.e. how the **** do I get out of this

Rgds
Richard

PS, Jury service was actually bloody brilliant, wish you could do it as a full time job!!

[thehappyotter]

Well I just got back from the mist amazing of weekends, I was so nervous before my speech that I hardly ate any dinner, once it was done though I realised it was actually quite good fun.

Del's idea nearly got me into trouble though... I got busted smuggling a bottle of tip-ex out of the office by the groom and he twigged onto what I was up to. He went through all of the stationary store and hid every single bottle then went so far as to leave a dummy pair of shoes out so i'd get the wrong ones!!!

The only drama of the evening was when the chief bridesmaid's new boyfriend realsied that she had to have the second dance with the best man! I don't think he realised he was going out with a previous Mrs Otter!!!

Thanks for all the ideas guys.

Rob.

[Nigel H-J]

Pleased to hear it went off without a hitch!! So after the speech did you go looking for the food tray?

PS, Jury service was actually bloody brilliant, wish you could do it as a full time job!!

Richard, it depends very much upon the type of case you are hearing, some would send you to sleep before the coffee break!!

Nigel.