Best Man's Toast: A Guide To Tradition And Etiquette

The best man's toast is a time-honoured wedding tradition, but it's not for everyone. While some best men relish the opportunity to entertain the wedding guests with an endearing and amusing speech, others dread the idea of public speaking. Ultimately, the decision to give a toast or not is a personal one, and there is no one-size-fits-all answer. However, it's worth noting that the best man's toast is considered a highlight of the wedding for many, and it's an opportunity to wish the newlyweds a happy future together.

Best man toasts are usually given at the end of the best man's speech

The best man's toast is the final part of the wedding speech, where the speaker asks everyone to raise their glasses and drink to the couple's future happiness. It is the perfect way to end the best man's speech, and it is a time-honoured tradition.

The best man is only obliged to toast the newlyweds, but it is also common to include a nod to the bridesmaids. The best man might also mention the groom's family, but this is not traditional. It is important to check with the couple to ensure that toasts are not being doubled up.

The best man's toast should be short and snappy, and it should tie in with the rest of the speech. It can be funny, heartfelt, or a combination of the two. It is a chance for the best man to leave the guests with a lasting impression and should be the punchline to a great story.

• "So here's to [Groom's Name] and to [Partner's Name] for agreeing to put up with him! To love, laughter, and happily ever after. Cheers!"
• "Here's to a lifetime of love and happiness for the happy couple."
• "To the happy couple — may your marriage be as enduring as [Groom's Name]'s legendary hangovers, and may it be filled with adventure and joy."

The best man is only obliged to toast the newlyweds, but it's common to include a nod to the bridesmaids

The best man's speech is one of the highlights of a wedding, and getting it right is essential. While the best man is only obliged to toast the newlyweds, it's common to include a nod to the bridesmaids. This is usually done by the groom, but if the groom isn't making a speech or you want to give the bridesmaids special recognition, it's perfectly acceptable to include them in your best man toast.

The best man's toast is a time-honoured tradition that is guaranteed to inspire laughter and tears. It is the perfect way to end the best man's speech. The best man will often act as the MC, introducing each of the speakers and relaying messages from those who couldn't attend.

The best man's speech should be a stand-up-to-sit-down time of no longer than 10 minutes. It should be kept simple, with a logical progression from one piece to the next, without confusing the audience or covering the same ground twice. The speech should be mainly about the groom, with a fun look at how the bride has changed his life for the better. It should also include a nod to the bridesmaids and a general allusion to how the couple met.

"The beautiful bridesmaids have been amazing. Ladies and gentlemen, I'd like you all to raise your glasses. I give you... the bridesmaids."

"I would like to say a special thank you to the bridesmaids, who have been wonderful throughout the day. Ladies and gentlemen, please raise your glasses."

"Here's to [Groom's Name] and his beautiful partner. May your marriage be filled with laughter, love, and slightly better communication! Cheers!"

"To the happy couple – may your love be as enduring as [Groom's Name]'s legendary hangovers, and may your life together be filled with adventure, joy, and slightly fewer tequila shots. Cheers!"

The best man may also thank the bridesmaids, groomsmen, ushers, pageboys, mothers of the bride and groom, and the groom himself

The best man is not obliged to thank anyone besides the newlyweds in his speech. However, it is common for the best man to include a nod to the bridesmaids, groomsmen, ushers, pageboys, and mothers of the bride and groom. If the best man is particularly close with the groom's family, he may also choose to mention them in his speech, although this is not traditional.

If the best man wishes to thank the bridesmaids, he could say:

> "The beautiful bridesmaids have been amazing. Ladies and gentlemen, I’d like you all to raise your glasses. I give you… the bridesmaids."

Or:

> "I would like to say a special thank you to the bridesmaids, who have been wonderful throughout the day. Ladies and gentlemen, please raise your glasses."

The best man may also thank the groom himself. This could be done by sharing a funny story about the groom, or by thanking him for his friendship. For example:

> "I've known the groom for nearly seventeen years now and throughout that time he has been there for me when it matters and is always ready with an encouraging word, and a welcome bottle of Rioja when things are going badly. And, if I’m being honest, when things are going well. I’d like to thank him for all his help and for being a true friend."

The best man may also act as MC, introducing each speaker

The best man's speech is one of the most anticipated and memorable parts of a wedding. While the best man is traditionally expected to give a speech, it is not mandatory and can be uncomfortable for those who dislike public speaking. If the best man chooses not to give a speech, they can still participate in other ways, such as giving a reading during the ceremony, being the ring bearer, or supporting the couple behind the scenes.

If the best man does give a speech, it is customary to include a toast to the newlyweds, wishing them a happy and enduring marriage. The best man may also choose to thank the bridesmaids and the rest of the wedding party, as well as mention the groom's family, although this is not traditional. The best man should be mindful not to duplicate toasts made by other speakers, such as the groom or the father of the bride.

In addition to giving a speech, the best man may also act as the Master of Ceremonies (MC) for the wedding. This involves introducing each of the speakers and relaying messages from those who are unable to attend. As the MC, the best man can set the tone for the speeches, welcoming the guests and sharing jokes to warm up the audience for the main act, which is usually the best man's speech.

Being the MC and giving a speech are both important roles that can help make the wedding a success. The best man can choose to take on one or both of these roles, depending on their comfort level and the couple's preferences. Ultimately, the decision to include or exclude any traditions or rituals is up to the couple, and they may choose to forgo speeches altogether, especially for more casual or intimate weddings.

The best man's toast is a time-honoured tradition, but it's not the end of the world if they decide not to do it

The best man's toast is a time-honoured tradition that often inspires laughter and tears. However, it's understandable if the best man is reluctant to give a speech, and there are plenty of alternatives to toasts at weddings.

Firstly, it's important to recognise that public speaking isn't for everyone. The best man likely has a valid reason for not wanting to give a speech, such as a fear of public speaking or a preference for expressing themselves through other means. It's crucial to offer them alternative ways to participate in the wedding festivities. For example, they could give a reading during the ceremony, be in charge of the wedding rings, or support the bride or groom behind the scenes.

If the best man is open to speaking but prefers a smaller crowd, they could give their speech at the rehearsal dinner instead. There are also other ways to honour the newlyweds that don't involve a speech, such as being one of the people lifting the couple in chairs during a Jewish wedding or witnessing the signing of the marriage license.

If the best man would rather not speak at all, that's okay too! The couple can let someone else step up to give a speech, such as another groomsman, a sibling, cousin, or close friend. Or, the couple may decide to nix toasts altogether, especially if they have a younger crowd or prefer to maximise dancing time. Ultimately, it's not the end of the world if the best man decides not to give a toast, and there are plenty of other ways to celebrate the newlyweds and make the day special.

If the best man does decide to give a speech, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, the speech should be brief and snappy, focusing primarily on the groom with perhaps a nod to the bridesmaids and the couple's family if desired. Secondly, the best man should aim to make the speech entertaining, whether through humour, heartfelt stories, or a combination of both. Lastly, the speech should end with a toast to the newlyweds, wishing them a happy and enduring marriage.

Frequently asked questions