Best Man Tips

Depending on the religious beliefs (or lack of them) of the two families concerned, a grace may or may not be said before the meal. If the meal is an informal buffet, no grace is required, unless there are strong feelings in one or other family that there should be.

If grace is to be said, and a minister of religion is present (whether the person who conducted the marriage ceremony, or a member of one of the families, or a wedding guest), they should be invited to perform this duty. However, rather than simply announcing them without any warning at the start of the meal, it would be courteous to tell them earlier on that you would like them to say the grace and establish that they are happy to, although any member of the clergy is likely to be well prepared for such a request.

If there is no minister present, grace may be said by father of the bride or the father of the groom, by one of the mothers, or by a brother or sister of the bride or groom. It could be said by the best man, but if the best man is acting as MC (Master of Ceremony), it is best done by someone else. How about an uncle or grandfather or godparent? (It's a good way of involving another member of one or other family.) Even a child might be asked to do it if you can be sure that they won't take stage-fright on the day - give them and their parents plenty of warning, so that they have time to choose a suitable grace and practice it.