Best Man's Wedding Rehearsal Toast: To Do Or Not?

The best man is traditionally expected to give a speech at the wedding reception, but many modern couples opt for this to happen at the rehearsal dinner instead. The best man's speech usually involves introducing themselves, explaining their relationship to the groom, congratulating the couple, sharing an anecdote about the groom, and ending with a toast. While it is not obligatory for the best man to give a speech at the rehearsal dinner, it is a chance for them to play a role in the event and share a story in a more relaxed setting.

The best man toasts the bridesmaids

The best man's speech is a highlight of the wedding reception, and a chance to share funny stories and well-wishes for the newlyweds. While the best man is only obliged to toast the couple, it is common to also include a nod to the bridesmaids. This is usually done by the groom, but if the groom isn't making a speech, the best man may want to thank the bridesmaids.

"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."

If you want to be creative, you could even include a French twist:

"Part of the best man speech involves a toast and for me, the best kind of toast is French toast. So, buvons à ce couple heureux [let's drink to this happy couple]."

Remember, it's important to check with the couple to ensure you're not doubling up on toasts. If the groom is already planning to thank the bridesmaids, you can focus solely on the couple in your speech.

Best Man Speech Structure

• Introduce yourself and explain your relationship to the groom.
• Congratulate the couple and wish them a happy future together.
• Share an anecdote or funny story about the groom.
• Thank the bridesmaids (optional).
• End with a toast to the couple.

Keep your speech brief, light-hearted, and heartwarming. It's a chance to celebrate the couple and share your best wishes for their future together.

Good luck with your speech!

The best man toasts the groom's family

The best man's speech is usually reserved for the wedding reception, but it can also take place during the rehearsal dinner. It is not customary for the best man to give a speech at the rehearsal dinner, but if he does, it should be kept short—around two to three minutes.

The best man's speech typically includes an introduction, an explanation of his relationship with the groom, congratulations to the couple, an anecdote or funny story about the groom, and a toast with best wishes.

"Hello everyone, my name is [Name], and it is an honour to stand here as [Name]'s best man. For those of you who don't know me, I am [Introduce yourself and explain your relationship to the groom].

[Name], I have known you for [length of time], and it has been a privilege to be a part of your journey towards this special day. I can honestly say that I have never seen you happier than you are today, and it is clear that you and [Bride/Partner] are a perfect match.

I wanted to share a quick story that I think captures [Groom]'s unique personality. [Share a funny or heartwarming anecdote].

[Bride/Partner], it is easy to see why [Groom] fell in love with you. You bring out the best in him, and your love and support have been invaluable to him.

So, please join me in raising a glass to the happy couple. To [Groom] and [Bride/Partner]—may your love continue to grow and flourish. Congratulations!"

Remember to adapt this example to fit the best man's personal relationship with the groom and the groom's relationship with his partner. Keep the speech lighthearted, heartfelt, and not too long.

The best man toasts the couple

The best man's toast is the ideal way to end his speech. The best man is obliged to toast the newlyweds, but it's also common to include a nod to the bridesmaids. The best man might also want to mention the groom's family, although this is not traditional.

• "So here’s to [Groom’s Name], the only man I know who can turn up late to his own wedding rehearsal — but who, thankfully, showed up right on time when it mattered most. And to [Partner’s Name], for agreeing to put up with him! To love, laughter, and happily ever after. Cheers!"
• "Here’s to [Groom’s Name], the man who still thinks ‘Netflix and chill’ means watching Netflix… and to [Partner’s Name], who loves him anyway. 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!"
• "Please join me in raising a glass to the happy couple – to [NAME] and [NAME]"
• "I’d like you all to join me in wishing the new Mr and Mr/Mrs [NAME] all the wealth, health and happiness in the world. To the newlyweds!"
• "To my best friend and his beautiful partner: the new Mr and Mrs/Mr [NAME]"
• "Please make sure your glasses are charged and join me in toasting the new Mr and Mrs/Mr [NAME]. Ladies and gentlemen, to the happy couple!"
• "They say you don’t marry the person you can live with, you marry the person you can’t live without. That sums up [NAME] and [NAME] perfectly. To the happy couple"
• "Here is a toast to a perfect couple – to a long life together filled with happiness, adventure and lots of wonderful memories"
• "To [NAME] and [NAME] – here is to a lifetime of love and happiness"
• "Raise your glass and join me in a toast to [NAME] and [NAME] – may you always be friends as well as lovers"
• "Time to raise our glasses to the happy couple because I like both of you - do you have any idea how rare that is?"
• “For one more time, I’m going to ask everyone to charge their glasses and – for those who still can – stand, and raise a glass to the newlyweds”
• "Raise a glass to the happy couple. May your marriage be as strong as the drinks in your hand. Cheers!"
• "Part of the best man speech involves a toast and for me, the best kind of toast is French toast. So, buvons à ce couple heureux"
• "Please can everyone join me in toasting two young – well, quite young anyway – people in love. To the happy couple"
• "To the two things that make a great marriage – having a good sense of humour and selective hearing. To [NAME] and [NAME]"
• "To [NAME] and [NAME] – we all knew [NAME] had found the one when he/she started spending more time with [NAME] than he did playing on his/her Xbox!"
• "To [NAME] and [NAME], before I finish, I’d like you to turn to face each other. You’re now looking into the eyes of the person who is statistically most likely to murder you. To the happy couple!"
• "I would like to end on some wise words from Socrates: ‘My advice to you is to get married. If you find a good wife/husband, you’ll be happy; if not, you’ll become a philosopher.’ To the happy couple!"
• "Here’s one of my favourite Oscar Wilde quotes: ‘The man who says his wife/husband can’t take a joke forgets that she/he took him.’ To [NAME] and [NAME]."
• "Before we raise a glass to the newlyweds, I’d like to share a Pauline Thomason quote with you: ‘Love is blind – marriage is the eye-opener.’ To the happy couple!"
• "Here’s a poem by Ogden Nash to finish on: To keep a marriage brimming with love in the loving cup, where you are wrong, admit it, and when you are right, shut up! To [NAME] and [NAME]"
• "To [NAME] and [NAME] – here’s an Antoine de Saint-Exupery quote to finish on: ‘Love does not consist in gazing at each other, but in looking outward together in the same direction.’"
• "Before we raise our glasses, I’d like to share this Mignon McLaughlin quote with [NAME] and [NAME]: ‘A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person.’"

The best man toasts the couple's future

As the best man, you will be expected to give a speech at the wedding reception or rehearsal dinner. Traditionally, the only people the best man is obliged to toast in his speech are the newlyweds, but it's common to also include a nod to the bridesmaids.

• "Let us toast to the remarkable bond my buddy and his partner possess. Even though it wasn’t easy, they made it through and taught us that no matter what challenges stand in the way, true love will always find a way. Cheers!"
• "Let nothing stand between the two of you—not even time or distance—and may every day bring more love than the last. Congratulations to the bride and groom! May your future be bright, beautiful, and full of blessings."
• "Wishing you both a lifetime of health and happiness, where you can continue to explore all that life has to offer together as one. May you keep smiling with every struggle and crying with every joy – knowing that whatever comes your way will bring even more strength to your relationship."
• "Here’s to the couple as they begin this next chapter in their lives together. May they have strength to overcome any obstacles that come their way, courage to take risks when necessary, and compassion to understand one another despite life’s differences."
• "Let’s toast to the special bond shared between this loving couple – one filled with trust, respect and admiration. Here’s wishing them a long and happy life together as husband and wife, surrounded by family and friends who can’t help but smile when thinking about them!"
• "May your marriage never feel like hard work, but instead be full of moments that are as easy as breathing. May it bring out the best in you and give you even more reason to be thankful every day."
• "Let’s raise a glass to a love that will make even Cupid jealous, and may their marriage be filled with laughter, adventure, and all the good things in life."
• "May their marriage be filled with love, laughter, and a mutual understanding that no matter what, they will always be each other’s wingman."
• "May their love story unfold like a fairytale, with many a happy ending, and not a single wicked stepmother in sight."
• "Here’s to the couple, may their love be like a cozy fire in the winter – warm, comforting, and always there to chase away the chill."
• "To the newlyweds – may you always look at each other with the same sparkle in your eyes as when you first met!"

The best man toasts the couple's parents

The best man's speech is a wedding tradition that is usually given at the wedding reception, although some couples opt to have it at the rehearsal dinner instead. The best man is obliged to toast the newlyweds, and it is common for the toast to also include a nod to the bridesmaids. The best man may also choose to mention the couple's parents, although this is not traditional.

Begin by introducing yourself and explaining your relationship to the groom. You could say something like:

> My name is [your name], and I am honoured to stand here today as [groom's name]'s best man.

Thank the couple's parents

Express gratitude towards the couple's parents for raising their child and supporting the wedding. For example:

> I would like to thank [couple's parents' names] for their continued support and efforts in making this a perfect day for [couple's names]. It is truly an honour to be in the presence of a couple that has raised such exceptional children.

Share a story or anecdote

Optionally, share a brief story or anecdote about the groom, or about the couple together. Ensure that it is tasteful and humorous. For example:

> I've known [groom's name] for many years, and I can honestly say that I have never seen him happier than he is today. [Bride's name], you have brought so much joy into his life, and I know that he will always treat you with the love and dedication that you deserve.

Toast the couple and their parents

Finally, ask the guests to raise their glasses and propose a toast to the couple and their parents. You could say:

> Please join me in raising a glass to [couple's names] and their wonderful parents. May your future be filled with love, happiness, and laughter!

Alternative phrasing for the toast

> It is an honour for me to have a special role in your wedding as you leave here today a new couple, ready to embark on the adventure of matrimony. May your future be filled with green lights and great driving music, and may you always have walls for the winds, a roof for the rain, and tea beside the fire. Congratulations, and I wish you all the best! Cheers!

Frequently asked questions