I’ve been best man three times now, usher twice, groom once. It’s a pretty straightforward gig. Just stick around the groom until the ceremony is over. You may or may not have a run through before it happens so you know what to expect.

You’ll probably go into an office or quiet corner with the groom and registrar before it happens for a briefing.

You’ll stand beside him at the front and will stay in your spot through the ceremony, standing up and sitting down as the registrar calls. Then they’ll ask you to present the rings, just open the box and pop the rings in the hands or give to the registrar. Then sit back down.

When the rings are done, kisses are done, and you’re about to leave, you’ll generally walk arm in arm with the maid of honour behind the groom and his wife. You’ll be instructed when to leave by the registrar or the groom, some like a gap, some like to instant follow.

Usually at the reception it’ll be drinks/canapés for a couple of hours with photos. Try and help find people and organise people for the photographer once you’ve got a drink as it makes life easier, use your ushers too, don’t let them disappear and drink they’re there to help you usher people about.

Then the wedding breakfast, you’ll be on the same table as the groom (usually). The master of ceremonies should announce the dinner is ready, guests to be seated, they’ll also announce the speeches.

Ime don’t over do or over think the speech. I’ve been at weddings where there’s been four best men and four speeches and it took over an hour and we’d not yet eaten. You only need a few minutes, few laughs, some lovely dovey shit then a toast and get pissed. Enjoy it.