Hi Libbie

What are the duties of the best man and maid of honour? I need to know ASAP! Friends who are getting married shortly are about to ask me and my boyfriend to stand in and I am not too sure what will be expected of us.

Leigh

Hallo Leigh

Most friends feel very honoured to be invited. But as you rightly perceive it is not only fun ... there is some work involved!

As to your duties: subscribe to our newsletter (at the right hand bottom of this page) and you will soon get a newsletter explaining what is expected of you as maid of honour.

Before the wedding the duties of the best man are:

* organize the stag party or a similar alternative for the bachelor party, like a golf day or a 4x4 trip for the groom and his friends. He does not only organize this - he ALSO sees to it that things don't get too out of hand.

*is available to help the groom out with all the odd jobs like picking up wine, the cake or Aunt Janice at the airport. 

On the wedding day he is really busy and supportive:

* The best man gets the groom to church on time waits with him on the bride, to ease the stress.

* The best man keeps the rings for the groom until the right moment (optional)

*The best man makes the speech on the groom at the reception (see other questions dealing with subjects such as humour, nerves and what to say, etc.)  He also does not neglect to lead the groom's friends in heckling the groom during his speech.

*He is gallant towards all the bridesmaids, asking particularly those who are not in a relationship to dance. However, if he himself is in a relationship he does not neglect his own girlfriend.

 *He is a true gentleman throughout the whole evening - overdoing nothing and keeping an eye on matters to ensure that things go well from the groom's point of view.

*If guests misbehave he either helps them right or helps them off ... all very tactfully

* He also sees to it that the groom's car isn't tackled too badly, or is kept safe, if the groom requests that.

*Often help is required after the reception to move flowers, drop gifts at the groom's house, provide transport to some guests, etc. He is first to offer his help, and he is the last to leave the reception as he helps the bride's parents with whatever they still need to have done.

*While the groom is on honeymoon he is available to look after the groom's house and business, within reason.