Thief Hall Journal

Top Tips for the Best Man/Ushers

Being asked to be a best man or usher for your friend or family members wedding can be a huge honour. As a best man or usher, the groom has entrusted you with responsibilities to help them with the planning and run up to their special day. This can be daunting to some people, especially with such a special day for 2 people. Also to make sure the stag party goes well and without any faults before the wedding and to make sure the day runs smoothly for the couple so they don’t need to stress.

1. Moral Support

This is a huge part of the Best Man duties. Giving moral support to your groom in times when he is panicking or stressing about anything to do with the big day. This can include, Choosing the ring, choosing and introducing (if not met) the groomsmen, helping with suits and any part of planning the groom has been given for the big day.

2. Help choose the suits

One of the main duties is suit shopping. The best man needs to help the groom with rounding up all of the groomsmen, ushers and other important male members of the wedding party that need to try on suits for the big day. Helping the groom decided on whether to hire or buy is a big decision to help make. Traditionally the couple pay for the wedding suits, but financial situations are not always the same for each couple getting married.

Plan the Stag Do

This is the Best Man’s time to shine! Planning the Stag Do is a vital part of the best man’s duties. With having to please the Stag, there is also the responsibility of making sure it is not too close to the wedding date. If you do and something happens, the Bride will never forgive you! Make sure you organise the Stag do a good 4-5 weeks before the wedding. Now you can plan the best stag do based on your groom, what he enjoys, where he would like to go and what activities he would want to do. This is personal so make sure you are thinking of the groom and not yourself and what you would prefer to do. Consider all of the people the groom would like to be there with him celebrating and make sure everyone is happy with the plans, or even has some input to make them feel involved. Be wary of price, not everyone’s financial status is the same as yours. Finally, make sure the groomside place is all paid for between the whole stag party.

4. Help set up

As planning is mainly taken care of by the bride, the groomsmen and best man duties are mostly aimed towards the set up of the day (the crafts and DIY). To help anyway when asked. Even if theres not much to do with the finer details, offering to help out moving the heavier stuff or furniture etc is a huge help for the bride, maid of honour and bridesmaids.

5. The day before

The day before the wedding can be busy. There’s stuff to be collected and picked up. Offer to help with this. Picking up the suits, making sure the Groom has been for his haircut, picking up the gift bouquets or presents. The tradition is for the best man to stay with the groom the night before the wedding. Prepare for this, make sure you know where you are staying (or organise where to stay). Make sure you have a good supply of whisky or beer of whatever the grooms drink of choice is. Have a good supply of food, snacks or a meal for yourself the groom and whoever else is staying with him the night before. It’s the little things that count. BUT….. make sure the groom does not drink too much! You do not want to be the person responsible for the groom being hungover on his own wedding day. Lastly, if you remember, go through yours and the grooms speeches one more time just to be safe.

6. On the Day

Get ready with the groom, this starts with making sure you get the groom up with enough time to get ready and some spare time incase anything should come up unexpectedly. Make sure you know where the button holes and and if/when they are arriving. Most importantly, keep the groom calm, some may or may not show it, but a lot of the time they may be nervous or stressed.

Keep the rings safe. This is a big one, these are important so make sure you know where they are at all times running up to the ceremony.

When you get to the ceremony you and the ushers are responsible for greeting guests, making sure they are seated and everyone has an order of service. Detail is key, make sure you know who the bride and groom’s family are and who is sitting in the front rows. Look after the parents and grandparents this will be highly appreciated.

When everyone is seated you need to be up there at the top of the aisle stood by the groom’s side. Make sure you still have the rings for when they are ready for the exchange.

7. Speech

One of the main duties of the best man is to give a speech (traditionally after the meal). You will have already gone over your speech to make sure it is right and you are confident with what you are saying. And also have ran it past at least one person you trust to make sure it is not inappropriate or offensive.

The best mans speech is usually last in the order of speeches, but many people have the order of speeches any way they wish. Nerves are a good thing, it means you care and want to get it right, but make sure you speak clear enough for everyone to hear and understand you (also check if you venue has a microphone, these are very useful), pause after jokes or when its appropriate for an applause. Make sure you say all the thanks you need to, mentioning everyone that needs to be mentioned.

8. Dance with the Maid of Honour

It’s always been a tradition for the best man to dance with the maid of honour after the first dance has taken place and to encourage other guests to join you on the dancefloor. If yourself and/or the MOH would prefer not to go with this tradition, just make sure you are still one of the first on the dancefloor and still encouraging others onto the floor.

9. After the Wedding

After the best day is over, make sure you help with clearing up of the wedding, returning any hired items such as the wedding parties suits and any decorations. If the bride and groom are going on their honeymoon straight after or soon after the wedding, make sure the groom is ready and prepared for this, also if needed keep hold of any items or wedding gifts for them until they return.

Glamping Pods

Meet our six glamping pods with a difference…..
They each come with a separate theme and sleep up to 4 altogether with a king bed and bunk bed, perfect for families with children.

Thief Hole Barn

Whether you’re looking to take some time out with family, find the perfect setting to celebrate an occasion, are looking for an adventure break or a corporate retreat, Thief Hole Barn provides a stunning location. Enjoy breathtaking sunsets from the courtyard, spread out on the huge L-shaped sofa in front of the wood burning stove and enjoy the calm and serenity of country living.

Swift Nick Cottage

Offering spacious living for up to four adults and two children, Swift Nick is the perfect hideaway for any family or group. Easy access and a sloped ramp make Swift Nick ideal for those requiring versatile, easy living in an idyllic ground floor cottage. Whether you want to cosy up by the fire in Winter or enjoy the sunshine on the terrace in Summer, Swift Nick offers a luxurious holiday home away from home in the tranquillity of the countryside.

Turpin Cottage

Nestle yourself away in this beautifully converted cottage and enjoy splendid views of the North Yorkshire countryside. A haven of countryside charm and cottage comfort, Turpin Cottage is a fantastic location for some well-deserved time out for you and your pet. With a spacious feel and high beamed ceilings you cannot fail to appreciate its original character.

Fawkes Cottage

This sensitively renovated barn conversion oozes charm and character whilst providing contemporary home from home living for two adults and children. The perfect retreat for a romantic break, family holiday, or countryside escape, Fawkes Cottage balances five star luxury with everyday comforts including your very own private hot tub!

Millington House

The heart of the six cottages with dining facilities for up to 20 guests. This cottage is perfect for any celebration, party, family get-together or just a group wishing to get away from it all.

Bateman Byre

This one bedroom cottage is named after the Yorkshire witch Mary Bateman and with the original character of the barn you cannot fail to appreciate the old with the new. The fully fitted kitchen is well equipped with washer/dryer, dishwasher, fridge/freezer, and every other item you would expect. Why not enjoy watching the sunset from the hot tub!

Download our wedding brochure

What we offer

Thief Hall is a barn conversion restored in stunning style, offering a blank canvas venue with open beams and a clean modern finish. Thief Hall is surrounded by the beautiful rural countryside of North Yorkshire, the perfect backdrop for your special day! Included with the venue you will receive:

Exclusive 3 day hire
Accommodation for 2 nights for 60+ guests
6 cottages, 5 with hot tubs
6 Glamping Pods
Wedding planning support throughout
Wedding coordination on your day
Fully licensed to hold civil ceremony weddings
Fully stocked and staffed bar
Outdoor Weddings available
No restrictions or stipulations
Tables, chairs, linen and more!
Marquees Permitted