Besides presenting your awesome best man speech, you may be in charge of various other elements of the wedding. Your part in the ceremony is very important, so always be ready to help out just in case it’s needed.

Make sure you get to the wedding location at least an hour beforehand if you are charged with driving the Groom there. You want to avoid last minute panic and careless mistakes at all costs, and having the Groom there early eliminates much of this possibility. Don’t forget the endless ridicule he would get from his new wife for being late to his own wedding. She’d be able to hold that over his head for the rest of his life, so don’t let that happen!

Keep the wedding rings and the marriage license in a safe spot if you are responsible for holding them. Pack up the car with their passports, luggage, tickets, or whatever else they need if they are leaving for the honeymoon right after the wedding. Before the actual ceremony, make sure you do a quick once-over for the Groom. Straighten his tie, button any missed buttons, and send him out looking his best. This is his big day after all, and you want to make sure he’s looking good.

Be ready to lend a hand if something goes a little awry during the wedding. Big problems are usually sorted out during the rehearsal, and so you generally won’t have to deal with those, but be ready in case the flower girl gets nervous and stops or if the Groom’s collar is popped up. You probably won’t experience a “Runaway Bride” kind of deal, but keep an eye out so you can lend a hand wherever it’sneeded. Also, remember to be ready for your best mans speech, which will come up faster than you expect!

You may have even more jobs after the reception. Check that the wedding gifts are all safe and packed up and ready to go. Make sure the Bride and Groom get to their ride if they are heading to a hotel or the airport. If you are in charge of driving them, make sure you don’t drink. If tuxedos need to be returned, be sure to have them their on time so no one gets charged a late fee.

Being the Best Man at a wedding holds a lot of responsibility, aside from preparing for your best man speeches. Make sure you double check and triple check to make sure you know exactly what you are in charge of on the wedding day, and that your best man speech is ready to go, as you definitely don’t want to be surprised on the big day.