Best Man's Speech: Keep It Short And Sweet

Being asked to be a best man is a huge honour, but with it comes the daunting task of delivering a speech. The best man's speech is one of the most highly anticipated moments of the day and is expected to be funny, engaging, and sentimental. While some best men opt for longer speeches, others prefer to keep it short and sweet. A concise best man's speech can be just as impactful, if not more, than a lengthy one. In this article, we will explore the art of delivering a short and memorable best man's speech. We will provide tips, templates, and examples to help you craft the perfect speech that will leave a lasting impression.

Keep it short and sweet

Being the best man is a huge honour, but it can also be a nerve-wracking experience. If you're not a fan of public speaking, you might be tempted to rush through your speech or keep it very brief. While short and sweet is often the best approach, a speech that's too short can end up feeling a bit odd and rushed.

A good best man's speech should be around 5-7 minutes long. This gives you enough time to say what the groom means to you and share a few funny stories or anecdotes. If you're worried about speaking for this long, remember that you don't need to write out your whole speech and then memorise it. In fact, it's better if you don't! Instead, jot down some key phrases and talking points on cue cards, and speak from the heart. This will make your speech feel more natural and sincere.

Here's a simple structure you can follow to keep your speech short and sweet:

• Introduce yourself and your relationship with the groom: Give a brief introduction, including how you know the groom. Are you best friends? Brothers? How long have you known each other?
• Compliment the bride and groom and their wedding: Tell the bride she looks lovely, say how happy you are for the groom, and compliment the wedding ceremony, food, decorations, etc.
• Share a short story or anecdote about the groom: This could be a funny story from your childhood, college days, or just a memorable moment from your friendship.
• Talk about how much the groom means to you: After sharing a story, follow up with a heartfelt statement about how much the groom means to you and how happy you are for him.
• Say something kind about the couple's relationship: If you can, share the story of how the couple met, or talk about the positive impact the bride has had on your friend's life.
• Wish the couple well and propose a toast: Congratulate the couple and wish them a happy future together. Hold up your glass and propose a toast to their marriage!

Remember, it's totally fine to keep your speech short and sweet. As long as it's meaningful and includes well-wishes for the couple, it's perfect!

Introduce yourself

Introducing Yourself as Best Man

The first few lines of your best man speech set the tone for the rest of it, so nailing your introduction is vital. It's likely that you'll be speaking after the groom and father of the bride, so you'll have some big shoes to fill. A killer opening line is a great way to get the crowd on your side.

• Keep it brief: Not everyone in the room will know who you are, so start with a quick introduction, including your name and how you know the groom. You might be best friends, brothers, or school friends. You could also mention how long you've known each other.
• Make it funny: Being the best man gives you a licence to make the guests laugh at the couple's expense. You could make a joke about how you don't like public speaking and will keep your speech short, or poke fun at yourself. For example: "Hi, I'm [name], and it's time for me to deliver this short best man speech I scribbled down an hour before the ceremony started."
• Break the ice: You could begin with a quick-witted joke or an unexpected announcement. For example: "Right, I'd just like to start by laying down a couple of rules. Firstly, if you do have a mobile phone, please leave it switched on; keep yourselves entertained. And if anyone texts you any good jokes, could you please forward them to me?"
• Be creative: Try an imaginative introduction, such as pretending you printed your speech off the internet: "It's a pleasure to stand here as the best man to 'insert name here'. Oh wait, I was supposed to edit that bit out before I printed it off..."
• Be honest: If you're known for being forgetful, use your introduction to poke fun at yourself: "Hi, I'm [name] and it's time for me to do this speech I scribbled down about an hour before the ceremony started."
• Keep it light-hearted: Make a joke without saying anything about anyone in particular. For example: "I must admit, I'm not accustomed to public speaking. Until I was asked to give this speech, I thought a toastmaster was a type of kitchen appliance!"
• Be self-deprecating: Guests love it when you poke fun at yourself. For example: "I've been worried about giving this speech for a while now. Fortunately last night I slept like a baby – waking up every two hours and bawling my eyes out."
• Be sincere: Express your honour and pleasure at being chosen as best man. For example: "I'm Ben, Tom's best friend, and today his best man. I have to admit I am absolutely honoured to be chosen."

Remember, your introduction as best man should be short and sweet, setting the right tone for the rest of your speech.

Congratulate the couple

Now that you've introduced yourself and perhaps cracked a few jokes, it's time to congratulate the happy couple. This is the perfect time to express your well wishes for the newlyweds and send them your blessings for their future together. Here are some ways to do that:

• "I can speak for everyone in this room when I say we all wish you all the happiness you deserve. We are so glad that you have found one another, and this day is a reminder that the best is yet to come. To the happy couple!"
• "I've known [Bride] and [Groom] for [number of] years now, and I can honestly say they are perfect for one another. They were both fantastic individuals when they met, and now, as a team, they will be even better together as they embark on a new adventure as a married couple. [Bride and Groom], I toast to you and wish you both peace, health, and happiness."
• "You two have been dear friends of mine for longer than you've been dating, which is a very, very, VERY long time! I have seen you both grow as individuals and flourish as a couple. Separately, you two are special, remarkable people, but together, you are complete. Today, we celebrate everything you have found in each other—a best friend, a lover, a teacher, a playmate, a true partner—for life. Congratulations!"
• "I wish I could say I predicted this day would come, but [Groom]'s incredible character and charm won [Bride] over. I am so grateful to be friends with both of them and to join you all in this celebration."
• "Please join me in raising our glasses to a lifetime of happiness for [Bride and Groom]."
• "Here's to the past, for all you've learned. Here's to the present for this beautiful moment we all share. Here's to the future for all you've got to look forward to. Cheers to the happy couple!"
• "There's something extra special about these two. They go together like peanut butter and jelly. They love and respect each other so much. [Bride] was the one for [Groom] from the second they locked eyes. We are all so happy to be here for your big day. Let's raise our glasses to the beautiful bride and groom! Cheers!"

Share a story about the groom

Sharing a story about the groom is an essential part of a best man's speech. Here are four paragraphs that can be used as inspiration for this section:

Paragraph 1:

"So, where do I start with Tom? Well, for starters, he's handsome, witty, and intelligent. But most importantly, he's an excellent friend. I met Tom over ten years ago, and our friendship has brought me so much joy. I remember when we first met; I thought he was very laid-back and normal. Boy, was I wrong! As we lived together during college, I started noticing his unique quirks: his obsession with conspiracy theories, his preference for baths over showers, and his vast collection of nun-chucks and other weapons. Despite his eccentricities, Tom is an incredible person, and it is an honour to be his best man today."

Paragraph 2:

"John and I go way back—all the way to our university days. We've been friends for over 17 years now, and in that time, he has proven himself to be not only a great friend but also a truly good man. I value my friendship with John, and I am excited to extend that friendship to his lovely new bride, Katherine. John, I've seen you at your happiest, and it's clear to me that Katherine is the reason for that joy. She has brought out the best in you, and I know that your love will only continue to grow as you embark on this new chapter of your lives together."

Paragraph 3:

"I've known the groom, Alan, for 32 years now. We met when we were just kids, and our friendship has endured the test of time. I remember one time when we were dangerous duo in the neighbourhood. Alan always came up with the pranks, and I was his loyal sidekick. We'd throw eggs and toilet paper at houses, and I'd always take the blame for his antics. Looking back, those memories bring a smile to my face. Alan, you are like a brother to me, and I am so happy to stand here today as your best man."

Paragraph 4:

"The groom, Alex, is someone I've come to know well over the years. He is intelligent, caring, and has a great sense of humour—something his new wife, Julie, will need plenty of! One of the things I admire most about Alex is his loyalty. He is always there for the people he cares about, and he has a generous spirit. I remember when we were in college, and Alex helped me through a difficult time. He dropped everything to support me, and I will always be grateful for his kindness. Alex, you are an amazing friend, and I wish you and Julie a lifetime of happiness together."

Thank those who helped with the wedding

The best man's speech is a highly anticipated part of the wedding day, and while it should be funny, engaging, and a little sentimental, it doesn't have to be long to be iconic. In fact, a short best man's speech can be more effective at keeping the room engaged.

If you're the best man, you'll likely want to thank several people for their help with the wedding. Here are some ideas to guide you:

The Wedding Party

It's customary to thank the wedding party, including the bridesmaids and groomsmen, for their contributions to the special day. You can acknowledge their hard work and dedication in ensuring the day runs smoothly. You might also want to give a special mention to the maid of honour and the best man, recognising their extra responsibilities and support.

The Bride's and Groom's Families

Expressing gratitude to the families of the newlyweds is also important. Thank the parents of the bride and groom for their roles in raising such wonderful children and, if applicable, for their involvement in planning the wedding. You can also thank any siblings or other close relatives who played a significant part in the celebrations.

The Happy Couple

The best man should definitely thank the happy couple. Express your appreciation for the honour of being chosen as the best man and share a few words about the couple's positive impact on each other's lives. You can also offer them marriage advice or a heartfelt blessing.

The Guests

Don't forget to thank the guests for their attendance, especially those who have travelled long distances to be there. You can also acknowledge any guests who sent well wishes or contributed to the wedding in other ways, such as helping with decorations or entertainment.

The Wedding Planners and Vendors

If the couple had wedding planners or coordinators, it's thoughtful to acknowledge their efforts in bringing the couple's vision to life. You can also thank the vendors, such as the caterers, florists, musicians, or photographers, for their contributions to making the day memorable.

Remember, while it's important to express gratitude, try to weave your thanks seamlessly into your speech to maintain a good flow. You don't want your speech to become a long list of thank yous.

Frequently asked questions