Best Man's Guide To A Memorable Toast Finale

The best man's speech is a pivotal part of the wedding ceremony, honouring the couple and illustrating their relationship, while also providing insight into the groom's character. The perfect toast is a great way to close the speech. It's an opportunity to recognise the bridesmaids, acknowledge the wedding party, and share kind words about the groom. A heartfelt toast to the couple and their future together is a fitting end, leaving the audience with a warm feeling.

Keep it short and family-friendly

The best man's speech is a pivotal part of the wedding ceremony, and your ending should leave a lasting impression on all the guests. It's important to keep your ending short, family-friendly, and focused on the happy couple. Here are some tips to help you craft a memorable and impactful conclusion:

• Use family-friendly language: Weddings typically include guests of all ages, so it's essential to leave out explicit language and dirty jokes. Opt for light-hearted and harmless humour instead.
• Avoid criticising others: While a bit of good-natured fun is okay, such as poking fun at the groom's cooking or dancing skills, be careful not to take it too far. Your ending should celebrate the couple and not embarrass or humiliate anyone.
• Reference the rest of your speech: A great ending joke calls back to the themes and anecdotes from the rest of your speech. Focus your jokes on harmless subjects and end with a mix of well-wishes and humour.
• Keep it short and to the point: If you choose to end with a joke, make sure it's easy to understand and punchy. Practice reading your joke out loud to ensure it doesn't feel too long or complicated.
• Start with a toast: Indicate that your speech is coming to a close by asking the audience to join you in a toast to the happy couple. A simple phrase like, "Please join me in raising a glass to the newlyweds," will do the trick.
• Wish for the couple's long-term happiness: Offer your support and well-wishes for the new marriage. Keep this part short and heartfelt. For example, say something like, "Here's to a lifetime of love, joy, and adventure."
• Avoid ending with a quote or marriage advice: Quotes can interrupt the flow of your ending, and marriage advice, especially if you're not married yourself, can detract from your message. Stick to articulating your thoughts and wishes in your own words.
• Edit and practice: Record yourself reading your speech to identify any areas that need refinement. Edit your ending to ensure it's clear, concise, and natural-sounding. Practice your delivery to build confidence and make your ending powerful and engaging.

Avoid ending with a quote or marriage advice

When giving a best man's speech, it's important to keep a few things in mind to ensure that your ending leaves a lasting impression on the newlyweds and the guests. Here are some tips to help you avoid ending with a quote or marriage advice:

• Keep it Light-hearted and Sincere: While it's tempting to end your speech with a light-hearted or comical piece of marriage advice, especially if you're single, it's best to avoid this. Marriage insights from a single best man might not carry the same weight. Stick to other areas, such as wishing the couple well or sharing a heartfelt message.
• Focus on the Couple: The best man's speech is about the couple and their special day. Make sure your ending is focused on them and not on yourself. Share your unique perspective on their relationship and how it has enriched your life. This will make the couple feel loved and appreciated.
• Keep it Brief and Positive: A best man's speech should be concise, ideally between 45 seconds and 5 minutes. Keep your ending short and positive. Speak from the heart and offer your support and well-wishes for the couple's new life together. Avoid any jokes or stories that might be seen as criticising or humiliating others.
• Make it Memorable: Instead of ending with a famous quote, try to articulate your thoughts in your own words. Share a story or anecdote that reflects the couple's relationship and why their marriage is special to you. This will make your ending more powerful and engaging.
• Practice and Confidence: Rehearse your speech, including the ending, to ensure it flows naturally. Memorise the important parts and use notecards if needed. Practice making eye contact and using gestures to appear more confident. Remember, you're simply sharing a story about your best friend and the love of their life.

Focus on the marriage, not past relationships

As a best man, your toast should be meaningful to the groom and entertaining for the guests. It should be heartfelt, focusing on the couple's journey, and expressing admiration for the couple. Here are some tips to help you focus on the marriage and not past relationships:

Keep it Light and Positive

Avoid bringing up negative details, specifically past relationships or ex-spouses. Keep your toast light, delicate, and focused on the present and future. If you do go into the past, make those stories intentional and bring them back to who the couple is now.

Share a Meaningful, Heartfelt Story

Share a story that is poignant or light-hearted about the couple's bond. Talk about how and when you knew they were just right for one another. This will add a personal touch to your toast and make it more engaging for the guests.

Avoid References to Past Relationships

While jokes are an important part of a best man's toast, it's best to avoid references to the groom's past relationships. Jokes about the groom's ex-girlfriend or ex-wife, especially if they are in attendance, can be in bad taste and create an awkward atmosphere.

Focus on the Couple's Journey

Instead of dwelling on the past, focus on the couple's journey together. Talk about the groom's relationship with the bride from your perspective. Were they nervous when they first started dating? Did they do anything funny to impress her? How have they changed since they became a couple? These anecdotes can be both romantic and funny, revealing a different, more vulnerable side of the groom that the audience might not be aware of.

Offer Meaningful Wishes

In addition to sharing stories and jokes, offer sincere and meaningful wishes for the couple's future together. This will add a heartfelt touch to your toast and show that you truly care about their happiness and well-being.

Remember, the key is to keep your toast positive, sincere, and focused on the couple's present and future together. By following these tips, you can deliver a toast that is both entertaining and respectful, creating a lasting memory for the newlyweds and the guests.

End with a joke, but only if it's natural to you

Ending a best man's speech with a joke is a great way to leave the room smiling, with glasses raised, and hearts full. However, it is important to remember that this should only be done if it feels natural to you. If you are not comfortable with humour, it is better to opt for a sincere, upbeat ending. Here are some tips and examples to help you nail that joke at the end of your best man's speech:

• Keep it Clean and Family-Friendly: Weddings usually include guests of all ages, so it is important to leave explicit language and dirty jokes out of your speech.
• Avoid Criticizing Others: While a bit of harmless fun is okay, such as laughing at the groom's cooking or dancing skills, be careful not to take it too far. You don't want your joke to leave a sour note for the rest of the night.
• Reference the Rest of Your Speech: Try to focus your jokes on a harmless subject, such as the groom's questionable cooking skills. Then, end your speech by mixing well-wishes with one last joke related to this theme. For example, "Here's to you, Harry and Ginny, and Ginny, don't try his ketchup spaghetti."
• Keep it Short and Punchy: Make sure your joke is easy to understand and deliver it in a quick and punchy manner. Practice reading it out loud a few times to ensure it doesn't feel too long. For example, "Emily deserves a great husband. Thankfully, you snapped her up before she found one."
• Avoid Marriage Advice: Offering marriage advice in your joke can detract from the ending, especially if you are not married yourself. Stick to light-hearted and comical observations instead.
• Connect it to the Couple: The best jokes provide insight into why this marriage is special. For example, "When Greg turned off Sunday football to meet up with Jane, I knew they really were in love. May your marriage be filled with many more moments like that!"

Remember, the most important thing is to be respectful, keep it brief, and most importantly, make sure it feels natural to you. Good luck and enjoy the wedding!

Offer well-wishes and congratulations

Offering well-wishes and congratulations is a crucial part of closing your best man's speech. It's your chance to honour the newlyweds and wish them a happy and fulfilling future together. Here are some ideas to guide you in crafting this section of your speech:

Keep it Heartfelt and Sincere

Speak from the heart and offer your genuine support and well-wishes for the couple's new life together. You can say something like, "Here's to a lifetime of love and fulfilment" or "Here's to a long life together filled with happiness, adventure, and lots of wonderful memories". Your words should leave the audience with a warm feeling about the couple and their future.

Reference the Couple Directly

Address the couple by name in your well-wishes. This makes the toast more personal and intimate. For example, "To Don and Samantha, may your love be as enduring as it is today, and may your life together be filled with joy and laughter". You can also refer to inside jokes or shared experiences unique to the couple, adding a touch of humour or sentimentality.

Wish Them a Bright Future

Offer your hopes and aspirations for their marriage. You can say something like, "May your marriage be filled with love, laughter, and all the best that life has to offer" or "Wishing you both a lifetime of happiness, joy, and love. May your bond grow stronger with each passing day". This adds a touch of optimism and positivity to your speech.

Include a Toast

Encourage the audience to join you in a toast to the happy couple. This is a traditional way to conclude your speech and celebrate the newlyweds. Simply say something like, "Please join me in raising a glass to the bride and groom" or "Everyone, please raise your glasses in a toast to the new Mr and Mrs [Name]". This unites the room in a collective celebration of the couple.

Keep it Brief and Memorable

While you want to offer meaningful well-wishes, it's essential to keep this section concise. A short and impactful message will leave a lasting impression. You don't want your speech to ramble on, causing the audience to lose interest. So, aim for a few sincere and heartfelt sentences that encapsulate your wishes for the couple.

Frequently asked questions