Your best man will play a major role in the build up to your wedding and on the day itself. You may have someone who immediately comes to mind, perhaps a close relative or friend. Whomever you choose though, they need to be dependable, reliable, organized and trustworthy.

Traditionally the role of the best man was as protector to the groom - literally! His principle duty was to ensure the groom made it to the ceremony on time and without being waylaid or side tracked. It is also considered back luck for the groom to turn back after setting out for the church. Although I think the bride would accept the risk should he have forgotten the wedding ring or left the honeymoon tickets behind!

The best man’s duties include: Organizing the bachelor party Getting the groom to the church on time Guarding the groom’s wedding ring Giving an inspired speech at the wedding reception Helping the chief bridesmaid with organization on the day

The choosing of the best man is traditionally the domain of the groom, but more and more brides are having a say in who should be chosen these days. The best man’s role is a wide and varied one and he is an integral part of the smooth running of the wedding. Your best friend since childhood may be your dearest friend but is totally unreliable and as such cannot really be considered for the role.

The best man needs to be quick thinking, ready to step up to the plate and have the ability to step into the breech when needed. If you are really stuck with who to choose then you could consider splitting the role between two. All though unorthodox, it can be the best solution if you cannot choose.

One of the best man’s duties is to organize the bachelor party. It is important that you make him aware of what you want from your bachelor night. If the idea of a drunken weekend surrounded by strippers does not appeal then make sure he knows this. Conversely you need to make sure that your choice of best man will be able to deliver a night you’ll remember as well as everyone else who is invited. Your bride to be may prefer you to have a few quiet drinks at home, but it is hardly the send off to married life that most would consider!

The best man must also be able to stand up and give a wedding speech that will be memorable and heartfelt at the reception. You want them to give a speech which is thoughtful, avoids any overly embarrassing stories (particularly those your bride doesn’t know about) and which will not offend anyone with rude jokes! The speech is widely considered as the most important task your best man will undertake so if your first choice goes to pieces at the thought of public speaking, then they may not be the best choice for the job.