The popular perception of the best man at a wedding is of a risque boor whose main interest in the day is the chief bridesmaid. Nothing is - or should be - further from the truth.

The best man has a range of important duties which, if done well, will go unnoticed.

These in chronological order are:

• Organise the groom's stag night and ensure he comes to no harm. Never hold a stag night the night before a wedding. A hungover groom is not funny.
• Remember the rings.
• Ensure the groom arrives on time and in condition, i.e. sober.
• Remember the rings again.
• Ensure that the ushers, page boys and flower girls know what they have to do, and check that they do it.
• Escort the chief bridesmaid down the aisle.
• Remember the rings and have them ready when required.
• Make the speech toasting the groom.
• Act as toastmaster if no professional toastmaster is present.
• Ensure security of any wedding presents given on the day and safe delivery of those presents afterwards.
• Organise somewhere for the bride and groom to change if they are leaving on honeymoon after the reception.
• Ensure the couple's luggage is packed and ready to go.
• Return the groom's hired clothes if he has gone on honeymoon.
• Act as compere and roving host, introducing people to each other, getting conversations started and generally making sure things go smoothly.