Groomsman's Guide: Best Man Speech Alternatives

The best man's speech is a highlight of any wedding, and while it's just 10 minutes or so on the day, the memories of this speech will last a lifetime. It is a daunting task, but with the right preparation, any groomsman can deliver a heartfelt, humorous, and unforgettable tribute to the happy couple.

The best man is usually the groom's closest friend or brother, and it is his duty to deliver a memorable wedding speech that reflects the groom's personality. While it is not required, it is expected that the best man gives a speech, especially if the other honor attendants are giving one. If speaking in public makes your stomach turn, consider showing your appreciation for the couple in a different way. We've seen best men do upbeat choreography, sing the couple's favourite song, or even present a wedding video they made.

The best man's speech should be lighthearted and humorous or heartfelt and sincere

The best man's speech is one of the most memorable parts of a wedding, and it's essential to get it right. While it's only about 10 minutes long, it will be remembered forever. The best man is usually weighed down by the expectation to be funny, but it's important to remember that the speech should also be heartfelt and sincere. Here are some tips to help you strike the right balance:

Keep it Lighthearted and Humorous:

Begin with a light-hearted icebreaker or a well-chosen joke to warm up the guests and calm your nerves. You could make a funny introduction about yourself, or share a humorous story about how you met the groom. For example, "Hello everyone! For those who don't know me, thank you so much for coming to my wedding. [pause for laughter] Sorry about that...I'm a little nervous."

Share Anecdotes and Stories:

Recounting anecdotes and sharing personal stories is a great way to make your speech entertaining. Choose one or two funny or heartfelt stories that showcase your friendship with the groom and his new spouse. Keep the stories lighthearted and short, and avoid rambling or including too much detail. For instance, "I remember when we first met in first grade. [Groom's Name] had just glued his hand to his face but still used his free one to shake my hand and ask if I wanted to be his friend."

Focus on the Couple:

Remember that the speech is ultimately about celebrating the couple's relationship. Share how they met, and speak about why they are a great match. If you played a part in bringing them together, don't forget to mention that! You could say something like, "I know I said earlier I'm the best man, but I lied. I'm actually Cupid because I'm the one who introduced these two eight years ago."

Offer Sincere Well-Wishes:

Conclude your speech with sincere well-wishes for the couple's future. Raise a glass and propose a heartfelt toast, wishing them a lifetime of happiness, love, and joy. You can also include a marriage quote or a funny one-liner to end on a high note. For example, "May you always find joy in the little things, like your Xbox and 'Star Wars.' Oh wait, that's my personal goal. You should actually find joy in each other, and do everything you can to have a lifetime of happiness together. Let's toast the newlyweds!"

Keep it Tasteful:

While it's important to be humorous, avoid controversial or offensive topics such as politics, religion, or anything else that might be considered sensitive. Steer clear of negative marriage jokes, sinful connotations like drinking or drugs, and embarrassing stories about the groom. Keep the speech positive and focused on celebrating the couple's love.

In conclusion, a best man's speech should be a balance of lighthearted humour and sincere well-wishes. By following these tips and adding your own personal touch, you'll be able to deliver a speech that will be remembered and cherished by the couple and the guests alike.

The speech should be tailored to the couple and their unique relationship

The best man's speech is an important part of the wedding and should be tailored to the couple and their unique relationship. Here are some tips to make your speech memorable:

Know the Couple Well

It is essential to know the couple well, especially the groom, as your best friend. Reflect on your relationship with the groom and share stories or experiences that showcase their connection. This will add a personal touch to your speech and make it more engaging for the guests.

Share Anecdotes and Personal Stories

Include one or two anecdotes or personal stories about the groom (and optionally, their partner). These stories should be lighthearted, short, and have a sentimental or funny ending. For example, you can talk about the first time you met the groom or share a funny memory from your childhood together.

Talk About the Couple's Relationship

Speak about why the groom and their spouse make a great couple. Share how they first met and how their relationship has grown. If you played a role in their love story, don't be afraid to mention it! This will add a touch of humour and make the couple feel special.

Keep it Short and Sweet

Aim for a speech duration of around 3 to 5 minutes. This is enough time to share meaningful stories and well-wishes without losing the audience's attention. Respect the couple's big day by keeping your speech concise and giving them the spotlight they deserve.

Relate to the Couple

Remember, the wedding day is about celebrating the union of the bride and groom. Make sure your speech focuses on the couple and their relationship. Share stories or experiences that showcase how they complement each other and how their lives have changed since being together.

Avoid Controversial Topics

Stay away from controversial topics such as politics, religion, or anything else that might be considered sensitive or offensive. Remember, this day is about the couple, and you don't want to upset anyone with your speech.

Don't Embarrass the Groom

While it might be tempting to share embarrassing stories about the groom, resist the urge! Keep your speech celebratory and avoid sharing stories that might embarrass the groom, especially in front of their family and friends.

Practice and Prepare

Start writing your speech at least two months in advance. Practice your speech aloud, and if possible, do it in front of an audience or record yourself to get feedback. This will help you refine your delivery and ensure your speech is well-received.

It should be kept short and sweet, lasting around three to five minutes

Keeping the best man's speech short and sweet is a great way to ensure that you capture the attention of the audience and leave them wanting more. A good rule of thumb is to aim for a speech that lasts around three to five minutes. This gives you enough time to share a couple of anecdotes, express your love and support for the couple, and raise a toast to the newlyweds.

• Open with a strong introduction: Start by introducing yourself and your relationship to the groom. This helps the audience connect with you and sets the stage for your speech. For example, "Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. For those who don't know me, I'm Chris, the best man, and I've had the pleasure of being Mark's friend since university."
• Share personal stories: Choose entertaining and meaningful stories that highlight the groom's character, your friendship, or his relationship with his spouse. For instance, you could share a story about a time when the groom went out of his way to support you during a difficult period in your life.
• Express gratitude and well wishes: Take a moment to thank the couple for including you in their special day and wish them all the best for their future together. For example, "Mark, I can't tell you how much it means to me to be standing here today. You've been an incredible friend, and I know that you and your spouse will have a lifetime of happiness ahead of you."
• Keep it light and sincere: Find a balance between humor and sincerity. Even if you're going for a humorous speech, include some genuine moments of appreciation for the groom and his spouse. For example, "But in all seriousness, Mark, I've never met anyone with a bigger heart. I'm so grateful to have you as a friend, and I know that your spouse is the luckiest person in the world to have you as their partner."
• Close with a toast: Wrap up your speech by raising a glass and inviting the rest of the room to join you in celebrating the happy couple. You can keep it simple and heartfelt, such as, "To Mark and his spouse, may your love continue to grow stronger each day. Cheers!"

The best man should know the groom well and reflect on their relationship

The best man's speech is one of the highlights of a wedding, and it's essential to get it right. While it's just about 10 minutes on the day, the memories of this speech will last a lifetime. The best man should know the groom well and reflect on their relationship in his speech.

The best man's speech should be a celebration of the groom and his new spouse. It should be memorable, strike the right tone, and find a balance between humor and sincerity. The best man should share personal stories and memories that illustrate his relationship with the groom, highlighting the groom's best qualities, such as his kindness, sense of humor, or loyalty.

If the best man and the groom have always been the class clowns, the speech might be lighthearted and filled with jokes. On the other hand, if they've been through serious life experiences together and share a deep, meaningful bond, a more heartfelt and sentimental approach might be more appropriate. The best man can express his genuine love and appreciation for the groom and celebrate the unique relationship the couple shares.

The best man should also consider the couple's personality and the overall vibe of the wedding when crafting his speech. If the couple is traditional, a classic and heartfelt speech is ideal. However, if they are known for their silly sense of humor and laid-back attitude, the best man can have some fun with his speech.

It's important to tailor the speech to the couple and their relationship. The best man can talk about how the groom has changed since meeting his spouse, the qualities he admires in the spouse, and how they complement each other. He can also share how he first met the groom and how their friendship has grown over the years.

The best man's speech is an opportunity to showcase the groom's character and the depth of their friendship. By choosing entertaining and meaningful stories, the best man can create a speech that truly celebrates his friend and the amazing person he is.

The speech should be rehearsed and structured, with a strong opening and closing

The best man's speech is one of the highlights of any wedding. It's a chance to showcase the groom's character and celebrate the love between the newlyweds. While it's just a 10-minute speech, the memories of this speech will last a lifetime. Here are some tips to help you craft a well-rehearsed and structured speech with a strong opening and closing:

Start with a Strong Introduction

Begin your speech by greeting the audience and introducing yourself. You can say something like, "Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. For those who don't know me, I'm [Your Name], and it's an honour to stand here today as [Groom's Name]'s best man." This helps the audience connect with you and sets the tone for your speech. You can also share a quick joke or a quote to make your introduction more engaging and less stale.

Craft a Killer Opening Line

The key to a good speech is grabbing the audience's attention from the very beginning. Whether you opt for a humorous or heartfelt tone, make sure your opening line sets the right mood. You can share a funny anecdote about the groom, quote a poem, or even break the ice with a self-deprecating joke about your public speaking skills. For example, "Hello everyone! For those of you who don't know me, thank you so much for coming to my wedding. [pause for laughter] Sorry about that... I'm a little nervous."

Structure your Speech

A well-structured speech will have a logical progression and a clear timeline. Avoid jumping around with your stories, as this can confuse the audience. Keep things simple and form a clear outline to guide your speech. You can include elements such as introducing yourself, thanking the previous speakers, sharing personal stories, and toasting the couple.

Share Personal Stories

Add one or two anecdotes or memories that illustrate your relationship with the groom. Choose stories that highlight his best qualities, such as his kindness, sense of humour, or loyalty. Keep these stories lighthearted and entertaining, with a sentimental or funny ending. For example, "I still remember the first time we met in college. We were assigned as roommates, and little did I know that this guy with a suitcase full of comic books would become my best friend. We've been through late-night study sessions and epic road trips together, and I'm forever grateful to have him by my side."

Express Gratitude and Well Wishes

Don't forget to thank the couple for including you in their special day and wish them all the best. You can say something like, "Thank you both for allowing me to be a part of your beautiful wedding. [Groom's Name], I've known you for [Number] years, and your friendship means the world to me. I wish you and [Bride's Name] a lifetime of happiness and love."

Close with a Toast or Words of Wisdom

End your speech with a heartfelt toast or some words of wisdom for the newlyweds. You can keep it simple, such as, "To [Groom's Name] and [Bride's Name], may your love continue to grow stronger each day. Cheers!" Alternatively, you can share a piece of marriage advice or a meaningful quote. For instance, "Remember, marriage is about being 'two good forgivers.' Kindness will always be worth it and never regretted. Cheers to the happy couple!"

Rehearse, Rehearse, Rehearse

Don't underestimate the power of practice! Write out your speech and then rehearse it in front of a mirror, record yourself, or perform it for a trusted friend. This will help you refine your speech, work on your body language, and calm your nerves. The more you practice, the more natural and confident you'll feel on the big day.

Frequently asked questions