How to Be the Greatest Best Man & Maid of Honor Ever
At the end of my own wedding night, my bridesman (yes, that’s right!) told me that he hadn’t realized how much of a privilege it was to be in my bridal party until the day unfolded. Cue a huge hug from me! As a best man or maid of honor, know that you’ve been honored to be a large party of the bride or groom’s core group for the wedding day and that truly should mean something to you. They could have chosen any of their friends or family members to fill the position and they chose you. To live up to the title, here’s how to be the greatest best man and maid of honor ever.
Cavin Elizabeth
The bride or groom likely will need help at some point throughout their planning and especially on the wedding day. Not all couples will directly ask for help, so be sure to ask often if they need anything or what you can do to help.
1. Always Ask How You Can Help
The bride or groom likely will need help at some point throughout their planning and especially on the wedding day. Not all couples will directly ask for help, so be sure to ask often if they need anything or what you can do to help.
Rebecca Yale
Traditionally, the maid of honor and best man plan the bachelorette and bachelor trips, respectively. If you’re up to the task, plan a trip that the bride or groom will love. If they’re huge party people, perhaps plan a lively weekend in Vegas. If they’re more chill and prefer relaxing, you could opt for a quiet trip to Palm Springs. Bottom line, plan the trip with their interests in mind and ask for help from the other bridal party members if you need any assistance. That way the bride and groom never have to lift a finger. They’ll simply enjoy the trip and some time away from work and wedding planning.
2. Plan a Bachelorette/Bachelor Trip
Traditionally, the maid of honor and best man plan the bachelorette and bachelor trips, respectively. If you’re up to the task, plan a trip that the bride or groom will love. If they’re huge party people, perhaps plan a lively weekend in Vegas. If they’re more chill and prefer relaxing, you could opt for a quiet trip to Palm Springs. Bottom line, plan the trip with their interests in mind and ask for help from the other bridal party members if you need any assistance. That way the bride and groom never have to lift a finger. They’ll simply enjoy the trip and some time away from work and wedding planning.
Cavin Elizabeth
I cannot stress enough how quickly the wedding day goes by and how many things the bride and groom have on their mind. On my own wedding day, I loved that I didn’t have to look at a schedule. My bridal party had it printed or saved to their phone to reference throughout the day. All I had to do was ask when something was going to happen next and they immediately could tell me! My husband’s best man had the timeline fully memorized and was wonderful at directing where he and the groomsmen would go next. It seems simple, but knowing the timeline like the back of your hand will be a huge help to the couple!
3. Know the Wedding Timeline
I cannot stress enough how quickly the wedding day goes by and how many things the bride and groom have on their mind. On my own wedding day, I loved that I didn’t have to look at a schedule. My bridal party had it printed or saved to their phone to reference throughout the day. All I had to do was ask when something was going to happen next and they immediately could tell me! My husband’s best man had the timeline fully memorized and was wonderful at directing where he and the groomsmen would go next. It seems simple, but knowing the timeline like the back of your hand will be a huge help to the couple!
Les Anagnou Photographers
Before the photographer is set to arrive, enlist all of the bridal party members in cleaning up trash, plastic water bottles, suitcases, shoes, etc. from the areas that will be photographed. This is not only greatly appreciated by the photographer but also from the couple who will love their cleaner photos!
4. Organize the Getting Ready Room
Before the photographer is set to arrive, enlist all of the bridal party members in cleaning up trash, plastic water bottles, suitcases, shoes, etc. from the areas that will be photographed. This is not only greatly appreciated by the photographer but also from the couple who will love their cleaner photos!
Cavin Elizabeth
Again, the timeline of the wedding day is something you should know well. Know when to direct the bridal party to be at their next location and ensure they have everything they need with them like bouquets, boutonnieres, or anything else important. You don’t want the bridal party photos cut short because any of you were late for portraits, so keep them on a tight schedule!
5. Keep Bridal Party Members On Time
Again, the timeline of the wedding day is something you should know well. Know when to direct the bridal party to be at their next location and ensure they have everything they need with them like bouquets, boutonnieres, or anything else important. You don’t want the bridal party photos cut short because any of you were late for portraits, so keep them on a tight schedule!
We Are Origami
Although hopefully the bride’s photographer has an eye for detail, you’ll want to make sure that you are looking out for stray hairs or smudged makeup on the bride in case the photographer misses it. Make sure she looks flawless throughout the day and always jump in to fix anything out of place. She’ll be so thankful!
6. Lookout for Hair and Makeup Touch Up Needs
Although hopefully the bride’s photographer has an eye for detail, you’ll want to make sure that you are looking out for stray hairs or smudged makeup on the bride in case the photographer misses it. Make sure she looks flawless throughout the day and always jump in to fix anything out of place. She’ll be so thankful!
Cavin Elizabeth
To give an unforgettable wedding toast, keep it to less than 4 minutes and be sure to tell guests who you are at the beginning. I find toasts that tell a story with a great flow from start to finish seem to do best with guests rather than a collection of random inside jokes. Be sure to practice your toast multiple times and have someone you trust give you feedback. Perfecting the toast not only shows you truly value the couple, but also ensures you give the best possible speech!
7. Write an Incredible Toast
To give an unforgettable wedding toast, keep it to less than 4 minutes and be sure to tell guests who you are at the beginning. I find toasts that tell a story with a great flow from start to finish seem to do best with guests rather than a collection of random inside jokes. Be sure to practice your toast multiple times and have someone you trust give you feedback. Perfecting the toast not only shows you truly value the couple, but also ensures you give the best possible speech!
Cavin Elizabeth
At the end of the evening, the couple will be busy saying their goodbyes. Before you leave, check the reception space for any items they might have left behind. Phones, handbags, shoes, makeup, or even gifts certainly shouldn’t be left behind. It’s these little tasks that will truly make you the greatest best man or maid of honor!
8. Check the Reception for Left Behind Items
At the end of the evening, the couple will be busy saying their goodbyes. Before you leave, check the reception space for any items they might have left behind. Phones, handbags, shoes, makeup, or even gifts certainly shouldn’t be left behind. It’s these little tasks that will truly make you the greatest best man or maid of honor!
Cavin Elizabeth
Cavin Elizabeth is a wedding film photographer based in San Diego, California. Her wedding work has taken her all over the United States and abroad. In addition to being a photographer, Cavin is an educator and an avid blogger of wedding planning tips for brides and grooms. She authored the book A Bride’s Guide to a Picture Perfect Wedding, which teaches couples how to make wedding plans that are best for photography.
Cavin Elizabeth is a wedding film photographer based in San Diego, California. Her wedding work has taken her all over the United States and abroad. In addition to being a photographer, Cavin is an educator and an avid blogger of wedding planning tips for brides and grooms. She authored the book A Bride’s Guide to a Picture Perfect Wedding, which teaches couples how to make wedding plans that are best for photography.