The Best Man, Bridesmaids and Ushers

If you are getting married in your home town in your own country the above tasks for your family and friends are simplicity itself. Turn up on the big day looking pretty, or in the case of the men handsome, and sober, and in all reality you are practically there!

Getting married abroad for a wedding that the Bride and Groom have organised themselves may take a little more help and support. Nobody minds a well meaning slightly tongue-tied Best Man, ---- also a pretty gaggle of Bridesmaid’s is de rigueur for such an occasion. Nevertheless, there is much work to be done by them, making sure on the day in particular that everything goes as smoothly as possible will need the full support of your network of mates and close relatives. Impress upon your “home team” the need for them to make sure that all is running smoothly and they, not you, should be the people interfacing with the venue staff and contractors on the day. The Bride in full regalia is not the best person to debate with a head waiter where Auntie Bunty might want to sit, or the fact that cousin Harry has suddenly decided that he is vegetarian.

A really good tip is that nowadays many well structured and relaxed weddings have the speeches before eating, rather than after the meal. When the father-of-the-bride, groom and best man have to sit for hours (In Spain meals are definitely not rushed!) before they “do their stuff” a mixture of natural nerves and alcohol don’t make for elegant speeches.

In short get all the extended wedding party involved in the structure and management of the wedding.