Best Man's Speech: Thanking Guests And More

The best man's speech is one of the most highly anticipated moments at a wedding. While it is a chance to celebrate the newlyweds, it can be a nerve-wracking experience for the best man. One of the most common questions best men have is whether or not to thank everyone for coming. While there are differing opinions, most sources agree that it is not necessary for the best man to thank the guests for attending. Instead, the focus should be on the bride and groom, with the best man sharing anecdotes, offering well wishes, and raising a toast to the happy couple.

Thanking the bride and groom's parents

As the best man, you may be asked to thank people for coming to the wedding. If so, here are some ideas for how to thank the bride and groom's parents.

"On behalf of the bride and groom and their parents, I would like to thank you all for being here. There are many people who have travelled a great distance to be with us for this ceremony, and your presence is especially appreciated."

"I'd like to thank everyone on behalf of the bride and groom for sharing their wedding day. Particularly both sets of parents for making this day possible, biologically and financially. Also, a special thanks to those of you who have travelled a long distance to be here."

"I am sure that I speak for [bride] and [groom] in thanking you all for coming today and helping them to eat and drink through £10,000 of their hard-earned money, condemning their early years of marriage to hardship, destitution and debt. A special thanks to both sets of parents for making this day possible, and to those of you who have travelled a long way to be here."

"Firstly, I would just like to say how beautiful the bridesmaids look, who have only been outshone by the bride herself, who looks amazing today. I would also like to thank the bride and groom's parents for making this day possible, and to everyone who has travelled to be here today."

Welcoming guests who have travelled long distances

As the best man, you may be asked to thank everyone for coming to the wedding. Here are some ideas for welcoming guests who have travelled long distances:

"On behalf of the bride and groom and their parents, I would like to thank you all for being here. There are many people who have travelled a great distance to be with us for this ceremony, and your presence is especially appreciated."

"I'd like to thank everyone on behalf of the bride and groom for sharing their wedding day. Sharing the blessings of their wedding with friends and family has been something that the newlyweds have been looking forward to for quite some time. A special thanks to those of you who have travelled a long distance to be here."

"I'd like to thank everyone on behalf of the bride and groom for sharing their wedding day. Particularly both sets of parents for making this day possible, biologically and financially. Also a special thanks to those of you who have travelled a long distance to be here. Personally, I wish that you'd all stayed at home, as this would be a lot easier on me. But I am testament myself to the lengths a man will go to for a free meal … and the groom's redundant porn collection."

"I know that the bride and groom are incredibly grateful to have so many people here to celebrate their special day, especially those who travelled from far away. Your presence here today brings joy to their hearts, and for that, we can all be thankful."

Remember, while it is nice to acknowledge those who have travelled long distances, the focus of your speech should ultimately be on the bride and groom, and you should keep it brief, warm, and funny. Good luck with your best man speech!

Jokes and anecdotes about the couple

"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."

"I remember [Groom] always said he'd marry someone beautiful, intelligent, and funny. I guess two out of three isn't bad."

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

"I read somewhere that the perfect best man speech should last as long as it takes for the groom to make love. So raise your glasses to the happy couple!"

"I've been instructed by the bride and groom 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 like a mini-skirt: long enough to cover the essentials, but short enough to keep everyone's attention."

"I've known [Groom] for about 10 years, he's handsome, intelligent, witty, charismatic.. sorry, wrong wedding."

"I'd like to say I'm very nervous about making this speech. In fact, this must be the third time today that I've stood up from a warm seat with pieces of paper in my hand."

"I'd like to congratulate the Groom on a truly magnificent speech. I always knew it would be hard to follow and I was right – I could hardly follow a word of it."

"I've been friends with [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 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."

"Their honeymoon plans are like [Groom's] sense of direction – ambitious but likely to end up somewhere completely different."

"Their relationship is like a GPS – there's been some recalculating, but they always find their way back to each other."

"I've watched [Groom] grow from a carefree boy who thought microwaving anything made it 'cooking,' to a man who now owns actual kitchen utensils – even if he's still not entirely sure what all of them do."

"I've watched their love story unfold. [Bride] brought grace to his chaos, direction to his wandering, and love to his life in a way that has transformed him completely."

"I've known [Groom] since we were drawing stick figures in primary school. They say the perfect speech should be like a mini skirt: long enough to cover the essentials but short enough to keep things interesting."

"I met [Groom] during freshman orientation, when we both thought ramen noodles counted as a food group and doing laundry once a month was perfectly acceptable."

"I first met [Groom] in Business Statistics, where we both shared the same lost expression and desperate need for caffeine. We formed a study group that quickly became less about studying and more about debating which pizza place would deliver to the library at 2 AM."

"Ladies and gentlemen, I’m joining you live from the head table – and no, you can’t mute me or turn off your camera for this one. I met [Groom] during the grand era of virtual happy hours and 'you’re on mute' became our most-used phrase."

"Ladies and gentlemen, I’m Dave, [Groom]’s best man and default IT support for the past 15 years. When he asked me to give this speech, I did what any good tech guy would do – I Googled 'how to give a best man speech' and cleared my browser history immediately after."

"Ladies and gentlemen, I’m Mike, and I’ve known [Groom] since we were fighting over the Nintendo controller in primary school. Back then, his idea of a perfect match was beating the final boss in Mario. Now he’s found his perfect Player 2 in [Bride]."

"Ladies and gentlemen, love isn’t just about finding someone you can live with – it’s about finding someone you can’t live without. Standing here today, looking at [Groom] and [Bride], I see two people who have found exactly that."

"Ladies and gentlemen, when I think about my friendship with [Groom], I’m reminded of all the moments that have led us here. From building blanket forts in primary school to helping each other through life’s challenges, he’s been more than a friend – he’s been my brother."

"Ladies and gentlemen, they say the perfect speech should last as long as the perfect... well, never mind. Let’s keep this family-friendly."

"Ladies and gentlemen, when your brother asks you to be his best man, it comes with certain responsibilities. Like sharing embarrassing childhood stories – but don’t worry, Mom made me promise to keep the really good ones for family reunions."

"Ladies and gentlemen: you are all about to witness a unique event in history. The very first and very last time that my wife is going to let me speak on behalf of both of us."

A meaningful and non-clichéd way to talk about the couple

As the best man, your speech is a big deal, not just for the groom but for the bride too. It's your chance to show her how much she means to your friend and to welcome her into your crew. Your words can make her feel truly special, so it's important to put some thought into it and craft a speech that does justice to the incredible woman she is. Here are some tips for a meaningful and non-clichéd way to talk about the couple:

• Share their story: Tell the story of how the couple met and fell in love. You can add in some funny anecdotes or embarrassing moments that will make the couple and guests laugh, but also show how their relationship has grown and blossomed.
• Highlight their unique qualities: Think about what makes the couple so awesome together. Are they kind, always ready to lend a hand? Are they adventurous and always up for new experiences? Do they bring out the best in each other? Highlight their individual and shared qualities that make them a great match.
• Compliment their choice in each other: Express your approval of their choice in a partner. You can say something like, "I can't imagine a couple more ready and right for this blessing. Thank you, [Bride], for bringing [Groom] and all of us so much happiness."
• Pay tribute to their efforts: Acknowledge the hard work that has gone into planning the wedding, especially if the bride has taken on most of the organising. Thank them for creating such a special day for everyone to enjoy and celebrate their love.
• Wish them a bright future: Speak about your hopes and dreams for their future together. You can raise a toast to their happiness, adventures, and all the love and joy that lies ahead for them as a married couple.

Remember to be genuine, sincere, and clean with your humour. Practise your speech beforehand, and you'll be well on your way to delivering a meaningful and memorable tribute to the happy couple.

A sincere wish for the couple's future

As the best man, you have a very important role to play in the wedding. Your speech is one of the highlights of the event, and while it may only be around 10 minutes long, it will be remembered for a lifetime. Here are some tips and ideas to help you craft a sincere wish for the couple's future.

Start with Gratitude

It is customary for the best man to begin by thanking the guests for their presence and well-wishes. You can say something like, "On behalf of the bride and groom, I want to thank you all for being here today. Your presence brings joy to their hearts, and we are grateful." This is also an excellent opportunity to acknowledge those who have travelled a long distance to attend, as well as the bride and groom's parents for making the day possible.

Share an Anecdote

A light-hearted story or two about the couple, especially how they met, can add a personal touch to your speech. Keep it brief, but make sure it showcases the couple's unique connection. For example, "I remember when John first met Mary. He was so nervous; he spilled his drink all over her! But despite that clumsy start, they hit it off instantly, and the rest is history."

Highlight Their Qualities

Talk about the qualities you admire in the couple, both individually and as a pair. You can mention their kindness, sense of humour, loyalty, or any other traits that stand out to you. For instance, "John and Mary are two of the most generous people I know. They always go out of their way to help others, and their love for each other is an inspiration to all of us."

Offer a Sincere Wish

Now, it's time to deliver your sincere wish for their future. You can speak from the heart, sharing your hopes for their happiness, love, and fulfilment in the years to come. For example:

"John and Mary, I wish you both a lifetime of love, joy, and laughter. May your bond grow stronger with each passing day, and may you always find comfort and support in each other's arms. Congratulations, and cheers to a wonderful future ahead!"

Remember to keep your speech warm and funny, but avoid anything that might embarrass the couple. Practice beforehand, but aim for a spontaneous delivery. Most importantly, speak from the heart, and your sincere wish for the couple's future will shine through.

Frequently asked questions