Crafting A Hilarious Best Man Speech: A Guide

A funny best man's speech is one of the most memorable parts of a wedding. It's a chance for the best man to send his brother or friend his best wishes, but it can be nerve-wracking to stand up in front of a crowd. A great best man's speech should be a mix of jokes and sweet moments, and it's important to keep it short, practice beforehand, and know your audience. Here are some tips to help you write a funny and memorable best man's speech.

Know Your Audience

It's crucial to understand your audience when writing your speech. The wedding guests could include a diverse range of people, from college buddies to grandparents, so your humour needs to work for everyone. Avoid edgy jokes or anything that could be considered offensive or inappropriate. Opt for inclusive humour that appeals to a wide range of ages and backgrounds.

Structure Your Speech

A clear structure will keep your audience engaged. Start with a funny introduction—a joke, a compliment, or an inspirational quote. Then, compliment the wedding and express your gratitude to the couple and their families. Share a short story or two about the groom, and admire the couple's relationship. Finally, end with a toast to the couple's future happiness.

Keep it Short and Sweet

Aim for a speech that's between 3 and 7 minutes long. Any longer, and you risk losing your audience's attention. Be ruthless in editing your speech, cutting out any fluff or redundant parts.

Mix Humour with Sentiment

While humour is important, it's also essential to include sincere and heartfelt moments. Share embarrassing moments, proud achievements, and funny stories, but also express your genuine feelings about the groom and the bride.

Practice, Practice, Practice

Rehearse your speech multiple times. Practise in front of a mirror, with friends or family, or record yourself to get feedback. This will help you refine your delivery and work on your body language and facial expressions.

Avoid Inappropriate Topics

Stay away from jokes about the groom's past relationships, drugs, alcohol, or any insecurities he may have. Keep the humour light-hearted and positive, and remember to read the room. If a joke doesn't land, move on and don't dwell on it.

Include Inside Jokes and Personal Stories

Inside jokes and personal stories will make your speech more engaging and meaningful. Just make sure to provide enough context so that everyone can understand and feel included in the humour.

Use Props and Slides Sparingly

Props and slides can enhance your speech, but use them sparingly. You don't want them to become a distraction or make your speech feel like a presentation.

Introduction: Start with a funny one-liner, a compliment, or a quote

The introduction is crucial for setting the tone for your best man speech. It's your chance to grab the audience's attention and make a strong first impression. Here are some tips and examples to help you craft a compelling introduction:

• Start with a funny one-liner or a compliment: Begin your speech with a humorous line or a compliment for the groom. For example, "I'd like to begin by congratulating the groom for his superb taste in choosing the best man. [chuckle]" Or, "Hello everyone! For those who don't know me, I'm [Your Name], the best man. I've known [Groom's Name] since middle school, which means that it was before we learned mullets weren't a good look for either of us."
• Introduce yourself and your connection to the groom: It's important to let the audience know who you are and how you know the groom. This helps establish your credibility and creates a more personal connection with the audience. For instance, "Good evening, everyone. For those who don't know me, I'm [Your Name], the groom's best friend/brother/cousin. We've known each other for [X] years, and I'm honored to stand here today as his best man."
• Share a funny anecdote or observation about the groom: A light-hearted story or observation about the groom can be a great way to break the ice and engage the audience. For example, "I'll never forget the time [Groom's Name] tried to impress a girl by [funny anecdote]. Let's just say it didn't go as planned, but it did give us all a good laugh!"
• Keep it brief and memorable: Your introduction should be concise and to the point. You don't want to ramble on for too long and lose the audience's attention. Aim for a short and engaging introduction that leaves them wanting more.
• Express your honor and gratitude: As the best man, you have a special role in the wedding, so it's appropriate to express your honor and gratitude for being chosen. For example, "I'm extremely honored to stand here today as the best man. I want to thank the happy couple for including me in their special day, and I wish them all the best."
• Set the tone: Whether you're going for a funny, heartfelt, or a mix of both, make sure your introduction sets the tone for the rest of your speech. If you're aiming for humor, try to incorporate a joke or a witty observation. If you want a more sentimental approach, you can share a heartfelt sentiment or a quote about friendship or marriage.

Compliment the wedding: Show respect to the guests by highlighting something positive about the wedding

Complimenting the wedding is an important part of a best man's speech. It's a great way to ground yourself and show respect to the guests. Here are some ideas for how to highlight something positive about the wedding:

• Compliment the beauty of the venue.
• Praise the delicious food.
• Comment on the great choice of music.
• Thank the couple's parents for hosting such a wonderful celebration.
• Congratulate the couple and wish them a lifetime of happiness, excellent health, and success.
• Compliment the couple's parents on raising such amazing individuals.
• Acknowledge the hard work of the wedding vendors, such as the caterers, bartenders, DJs, and photographers.
• Raise a toast to the newlyweds and celebrate their love.

Remember to keep your speech positive, respectful, and congratulatory. Avoid any jokes or comments that might be considered offensive or inappropriate.

Express gratitude: Thank the couple and their parents, and show appreciation to the groom for choosing you as his best man

Expressing gratitude is an important part of a best man's speech. Here are some ideas for how to thank the couple, their parents, and the groom for choosing you as his best man.

Thanking the Couple and Their Parents

It's customary to thank the couple and their parents for hosting the wedding and inviting you to be a part of their special day. This is a simple way to show your appreciation and acknowledge the effort that has gone into making the day a success. You can say something like:

> "I'd like to begin by expressing my deepest gratitude to the couple's parents for raising such amazing people, who I'm fortunate to call my best friends. I would also like to thank them for hosting such an awesome celebration for all of us to enjoy this evening."

Showing Appreciation to the Groom

As the best man, your speech should focus primarily on the groom. It's important to let him know how honoured you are to be standing by his side on his wedding day. You can share a funny story or anecdote that highlights your friendship and the groom's unique qualities. For example:

> "I'm so happy [Groom's Name] fell in love with [Bride's Name]. Firsthand, I've seen the grace, intelligence, and confidence [Bride's Name] has, which explains why [Groom's Name] knew he wanted to marry her after their first date."

You can also share a light-hearted story about the groom's quirks or habits, such as his punctuality or deep sleeping habits. These stories will not only entertain the guests but also show your close bond with the groom.

> "Derek was such a punctual guy in college. So punctual that while we were waking up, he was already out the door. He eventually kept our seats in class. Now, his colleagues say they can't keep up with him. He's always the first one at work."

Remember to keep your stories light and respectful, avoiding any topics that might embarrass the groom or offend the guests.

Tying It All Together

In your speech, you can also express your well-wishes for the couple, congratulating them on finding each other and offering a toast to their future together. Here's an example:

> "They say marriage can't survive without laughter, and I don't believe there will be a shortage of that with these two. Let's raise our glass to Brian and Penelope! Here's to a lifetime of love and laughter!"

By following these guidelines and incorporating your own personal touch, you'll be able to craft a heartfelt and entertaining best man speech that expresses your gratitude towards the couple, their parents, and the groom.

Tell a story: Share a short story about your relationship with the groom

Ladies and gentlemen, I'm [Name], and I've known [Groom] for [length of time]. We anecdote about how you met and I knew right away that we'd be [friends/brothers] for life.

One of my favourite memories with [Groom] was when anecdote about a funny shared experience. I'll never forget the look on his face when an amusing detail about the experience!

[Groom] has always been there for me through thick and thin. I remember one time when anecdote about a time when the groom supported you. He's always been the kind of person who anecdote about the groom's positive qualities.

I couldn't be happier for [Groom] and [Bride]. [Groom], I know I speak for everyone here when I say that we all wish you a lifetime of love and happiness.

Please join me in raising a glass to the happy couple!

Admire the couple: Express your support for their marriage and list a few things you admire about their bond

Admiration is an essential part of a relationship. It is the respect you have for your partner, and it is what makes you want to be a better person. This feeling is reciprocal; we admire the person we love, and we need them to admire us in return. This back-and-forth nourishes the relationship and helps each person be their best self.

When you admire your partner, it is usually for a combination of superficial and deeper reasons. You might admire their sense of style, their passion for a sport, or their commitment to their work. However, if your admiration remains focused on the exterior, your love may not be able to take root and grow.

• Respect each other's passions. Spending some time apart, pursuing separate interests, can help keep your relationship fresh and exciting. Supporting each other's professional trajectories is also a great way to nourish admiration.
• Verbal affirmations can be particularly meaningful. Telling your partner, "I admire how you [fill in the blank]," can be just as significant as saying, "I love you."
• When you're feeling frustrated with your partner, refer back to a list of things you admire about them.
• Their strength and ability to handle life situations.
• Their responsibility and dependability.
• Their patience and willingness to listen.
• Their ability to be a good parent.
• Their hard work and dedication to their job.
• Their respect for you and others.
• Their fairness, honesty, and trustworthiness.
• Their intelligence and self-control.
• Their ability to grow and change.
• Their adventurous spirit.
• Their reliability.
• Their ability to communicate and resolve conflicts healthily.
• Their acceptance of you, flaws and all.
• Their commitment to the relationship.

Frequently asked questions