Best Man Speech: Crafting The Perfect Words

Being asked to be the best man at a wedding is a huge honour and a significant responsibility. One of your main tasks will be to deliver a memorable speech that celebrates the groom, entertains the guests, and shows your support for the happy couple.

Crafting a best man speech can be a daunting task, especially if you've never done it before. But don't worry, there are plenty of resources and tips available to help you write and deliver a speech that will leave a lasting impression.

The key to a great best man speech is to strike a balance between humour and sentimentality. It's also important to follow a clear structure, including an introduction, anecdotes about the groom, words of wisdom, and a toast to the couple. Keep your speech concise, engaging, and heartfelt, and you'll be sure to deliver a stand-out performance that everyone will remember.

How to start a best man speech

Being the best man at a wedding is an honour and a responsibility. Your speech is an opportunity to celebrate the groom, entertain the guests, and show your support for the happy couple. It is also a chance for others to learn more about the groom and his relationship with his partner. Here are some tips on how to start your best man speech:

Know your role

Your role as the best man is about more than just the speech. You have to organise the stag do, safeguard the rings, and offer assistance and support to the groom. While the wedding guests might not remember these things, they will remember whether you are an expert speaker or a nervous wreck.

Understand the importance of your speech

Your best man speech is an important part of the wedding reception. It is your chance to showcase your relationship with the groom and for others to learn more about him. A great toast can be an emotional moment for the couple and the guests.

Start writing early

Begin by writing down all your thoughts, feelings, and memories about the groom. Then, use a template as a guide to help you structure your speech. Include a unique opening line that grabs the audience's attention and sets the tone. End with a memorable closing line that ties back to the theme of your speech and expresses your well-wishes for the couple.

Add personal touches

Share stories, funny or heartwarming experiences, and embarrassing moments that show who the groom is and your relationship with him. You can also share what the groom means to you and why you were chosen to be the best man.

Practice, practice, practice

Rehearse your speech multiple times to familiarise yourself with the content, timing, and flow. Practising in front of a mirror or with a trusted friend can help refine your delivery. Remember, the more you practice, the more confident you will become.

Best man speech topics to avoid

Being the best man at a wedding is an honour, but it also comes with a great deal of responsibility. One of your main tasks will be to deliver a memorable speech that celebrates the groom, entertains the guests, and shows your support for the happy couple. Here are some tips on what to avoid when writing your best man speech:

• Don't talk about yourself: While it's important to share your relationship with the groom, avoid making the speech all about you. The focus should be on the groom and your relationship with him, not just your accomplishments.
• Avoid cliches: Stay away from overused quotes and sayings that people have heard a million times. Instead, opt for a unique quote or an inside joke that will leave a lasting impression.
• Keep it classy: Refrain from using expletives, raunchy jokes, or embarrassing stories that might offend older relatives or the couple. A mix of funny and sentimental content usually works well, but always maintain a respectful tone.
• Don't ramble: Aim for a concise speech that is around 3 to 5 minutes long. Guests will appreciate a short and sweet speech that is sincere and entertaining.
• Avoid inside jokes: While it's good to share stories, avoid inside jokes that only a few people will understand. Make sure your stories are inclusive and entertaining for all the guests.
• No need-to-know anecdotes: Steer clear of sharing personal anecdotes that might be too revealing or embarrassing for the groom or other guests. Keep the speech light-hearted and appropriate for the occasion.
• Refrain from mean-spirited jokes: Avoid any jokes that might be considered offensive, sexist, or demeaning. It's important to maintain a respectful and tasteful tone throughout your speech.
• No props: Using props like photos or videos might seem like a good idea, but they can make your speech less effective and more tedious. Stick to engaging storytelling and interactive elements to keep your audience captivated.
• Avoid former love interests: It's never a good idea to bring up the groom's former relationships. Keep the focus on the present and the couple's happiness.
• Don't wing it: Practice your speech beforehand and prepare well. Rehearse multiple times, refine your delivery, and work on your confidence. This will help ensure your speech is polished and well-received.

Best man speech length

The best man's speech is one of the highlights of any wedding, but it's important to get it right. While there's an expectation for best men to be funny, the speech should ultimately be a celebration of the groom and a chance to show support for the happy couple.

There is no set time limit for best man speeches, but shorter is usually better. A good length for a best man speech is between 4 and 10 minutes, depending on the number of speakers at the wedding. If there are three speakers (the father of the bride, the groom, and the best man), the best man's speech should be no longer than 10 minutes. For four speakers, aim for around 8 minutes, and for five speakers, around 6 minutes. If you're the last speaker, make your speech short and funny, as the guests will likely be tired from sitting through multiple speeches.

If you're one of two best men giving a joint speech, your speech should be around 12-13 minutes. If you're giving separate speeches, aim for around 7 minutes each.

Remember, your speech doesn't have to be groundbreaking, novel, or unique. A short, uplifting, or heartwarming story about the couple and some well-wishes at the end will do.

Best man speech jokes

Being the best man at a wedding is an honour and a huge responsibility. It's a chance to celebrate the groom, entertain the guests, and show your support for the happy couple. While the best man is expected to be funny, it's important to keep the jokes light, appropriate, and not too edgy. Here are some ideas for best man speech jokes to get you started:

Icebreakers

"Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. For those of you who I haven't had the pleasure of meeting yet, my name is Chris, and I am officially Paul's second best man... second best, ladies and gentlemen... nobody likes to be second best, do they? Well, Paul, looking at his career, he should know better than most."

"Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. My name is Dave, and this is Bob. Together, it is our very great pleasure and privilege to be Colin's best men for today's celebrations."

"Smart, handsome, kind, but enough about me..."

"I'm not normally this nervous, but I've been told to keep this speech like a mini-skirt: long enough to cover the essentials, but short enough to keep everyone's attention."

"I've been so nervous about this speech that I haven't been able to properly enjoy the past eight glasses of champagne."

"They say public speaking is one of people's biggest fears, right after death. Which means that right now, most of you would rather be in the casket than giving this speech."

"For those who don't know me, I'm the best man. For those who do know me, I apologise."

"I've been instructed to keep this speech smut-free, so if I come across any innuendo, I'll whip it out immediately."

"I've been told to keep this speech G-rated, so I'll be keeping it short and sweet, just like the groom's time in the bedroom."

Jokes About the Groom

"I've known [Groom] since college. Back then, his idea of fine dining was eating ramen noodles with a fork instead of straight from the packet."

"I've seen [Groom] through his highest highs and lowest lows. Mostly lows. Actually, almost exclusively lows."

"I've known [Groom] for so long that his first password was 'password'."

"I've known [Groom] since we were kids. I still remember him saying girls were gross. [Bride], I'm glad to see his taste has improved significantly."

"Growing up with [Groom] was like having a brother—except my parents actually liked him."

"I've known [Groom] for a long time, and he's always been a great guy. But now, with his new wife, Cassie, by his side, he's batting way above his average."

"I've known [Groom] for years, and I've learned two important things: first, he's a terrible cook, and second, he's an even worse dancer. [Bride], you've got your work cut out for you!"

"I've played football with [Groom] on many occasions, and I've never seen him lose a ball... because he doesn't kick it that far. In fact, he struggles to kick it at all."

"I've always wanted to give a speech. [Groom] is like a genie—he's granted a wish for me today. And I always wanted a sister, and now I have that in [Bride]. But not all wishes come true. After all, I still have [Groom] as a brother."

"I've never seen [Groom] so well-dressed. [Bride], I assume you picked out his outfit today?"

"I read somewhere that the perfect best man speech should last as long as it takes for the groom to make love. So, ladies and gentlemen, please raise a glass to the happy couple!"

Jokes About the Couple

"I remember when [Groom] first met [Bride]. He came home with the biggest smile on his face and said, 'I think I've found the one.' And I said, 'The one what? The one person who laughs at your terrible jokes?' Turns out, I was right!"

"Their first date was like Amazon Prime—quick delivery and exceeded expectations."

"Their relationship status has gone from 'Single' to 'In a Relationship' to 'Engaged' to 'Married.' The only thing that's updated more frequently is [Groom]'s iPhone."

"They're so perfect together, even their phone batteries die at the same time."

"Marriage is like a joint bank account—what's yours is hers, and what's hers is also hers."

"Their relationship is like a playlist—a few ballads, some rock and roll, and occasional technical difficulties."

"Marriage is like a road trip—it's not about the destination, it's about who's riding shotgun and controlling the playlist."

"Their relationship is like a good book—engaging, full of character development, and worth sharing with others."

"Their relationship is like a fine whiskey—it gets better with age, and it helps them deal with family gatherings."

"Their love is like a good cake—sweet, occasionally nutty, and definitely worth the calories."

"Their relationship is like a zoo—wild at times, but you get used to the weird noises and strange smells."

"Their love is like a puppy—enthusiastic, occasionally messy, but always faithful."

"Marriage is like a wardrobe—needs regular updating and sometimes requires professional intervention."

"Marriage is like a master's degree—expensive, challenging, and you're never quite sure if you're doing it right."

"Their first dance was like their relationship—[Bride] graceful and poised, [Groom] trying not to step on her toes."

"Marriage is like karaoke—sometimes you nail it, sometimes you bomb, but it's always better with a supportive partner."

"Marriage is like a coffee maker—it works best when you remember to do your part every morning and clean up your mess."

"Marriage is like cloud storage—you need to back up your important stuff and remember to sync regularly."

"Here's to love, laughter, and happily ever after—or at least until one of you forgets to do the dishes."

"May your love continue to grow, like [Groom]'s collection of unread emails."

"To the happy couple—may your marriage be like a good book: long, meaningful, and not too many chapters about fighting."

"Let's raise a glass to [Bride] and [Groom]—because after all this champagne, I can barely raise anything else!"

Best man speech tips

Being chosen as the best man for a wedding is a huge honour and a big responsibility. Your speech is a chance to celebrate the groom, entertain the guests, and show your support for the happy couple. Here are some tips to help you craft a memorable and meaningful best man speech.

Planning and Preparation:

• Start writing your speech at least two months before the wedding.
• Write down your thoughts, feelings, memories, and anecdotes about the groom.
• Use a template as a guide to structure your speech.
• Include a unique opening line that grabs the audience's attention.
• End with a memorable closing that ties back to the theme of your speech.

Content:

• Share stories, funny or heartwarming experiences, and embarrassing moments that showcase the groom's personality.
• Talk about what the groom means to you and your relationship with him.
• Discuss how the couple met, but avoid sharing details that might be private or embarrassing.
• Give a special shout-out to the groom's spouse and welcome them into the family.
• Include words of wisdom or advice for the newlyweds if you feel comfortable.

Delivery:

• Practice your speech multiple times to familiarise yourself with the content and improve your delivery.
• Rehearse in front of a mirror or with a trusted friend to get feedback.
• Calming techniques such as deep breathing can help reduce nerves before and during your speech.
• Connect with the audience by maintaining eye contact, using hand gestures, and speaking clearly.
• Keep your speech concise, engaging, and lighthearted, aiming for around 3-7 minutes.

Things to Avoid:

• Spending too much time talking about yourself or your role as the best man.
• Using props, as they can be distracting and make your speech less effective.
• Overdone or inappropriate jokes, especially those about sex, drugs, or previous marriages.
• Embarrassing or private stories that might cast the groom or their spouse in a negative light.

Frequently asked questions