Complimenting The Bride And Bridesmaids: Best Man Speech Guide

Giving a best man's speech can be nerve-wracking, but it's also a great opportunity to share your affection for the happy couple and wish them well for their future together. While you might be tempted to wing it, it's important to prepare in advance and include a few well-chosen compliments for the bride and bridesmaids. Here are some tips to help you craft a memorable and heartfelt speech that will leave the wedding party in stitches and the bride blushing with joy.

First, make sure to compliment the bride and her bridesmaids. Tell everyone why she's incredible – is she kind, smart, or funny? Share side-splitting stories that showcase her awesomeness and don't forget to compliment her stunning appearance. You can say something simple like, When [Bride] first walked down the aisle, I swear the whole room gasped. She looks absolutely breathtaking in that dress – like a real-life princess.

Next, give a shout-out to her amazing family. Take a moment to acknowledge their love and support, and share any funny or heartfelt stories you might have about them. For example, I've got to give a special shout-out to [Bride]'s parents. Not only have they raised an incredible daughter, but they've also been like a second family to [Groom]. I'll never forget the time they took us all on a camping trip and taught us how to fish.

Finally, don't forget to include a toast to the bridesmaids. While it's not mandatory, it can be a nice touch to show your appreciation for their hard work and dedication to the wedding. Raise your glass and propose a toast to the beautiful bridesmaids, wishing them all the best.

Remember, the key to a great best man's speech is preparation. Take the time to plan and rehearse your speech, and you'll be well on your way to delivering a toast that will be remembered for years to come.

Compliment the bride and bridesmaids' appearance

Complimenting the bride and bridesmaids on their appearance is a great way to make them feel special on the wedding day. Here are some tips and examples to help you craft this section of your best man speech:

Compliment the Bride's Appearance:

Start with a simple and heartfelt compliment about the bride's stunning appearance. You don't need to be a fashion expert to make her feel like a million bucks. Here's an example:

> "When [Bride] first walked down the aisle, I swear the whole room gasped. She looks absolutely breathtaking in that dress – like a real-life princess. [Groom], mate, I don't know how you managed to keep your cool up there. I would've been a blubbering mess!"

You can also mention how her smile lights up the room or how her happiness is contagious. It's a great way to guarantee that she'll be beaming from ear to ear. Here's another example:

> "I've known [Groom] for many years, but I've never seen him look so happy and radiant as he does today with [Bride] by his side. They truly are a beautiful couple, inside and out."

Compliment the Bridesmaids' Appearance:

While the focus of your compliments should be on the bride, it's also nice to say something kind about the bridesmaids' appearance. Here are some examples:

> "The bridesmaids all look stunning today. I especially love the colour of their dresses, which really brings out their eyes. They did an amazing job of standing by the bride's side and offering their support throughout the wedding planning process."

> "A big shout-out to the bridesmaids, who not only look gorgeous but have also been an incredible source of love and laughter throughout this journey. Their friendship and dedication to the bride are truly admirable."

Remember to keep your compliments sincere and heartfelt. Avoid making generic statements and try to include specific details that will make your compliments more meaningful. Good luck with your best man speech!

Share funny stories about the bride

Sharing funny stories about the bride is a great way to make your best man's speech memorable and to show your admiration for her. Here are some tips and examples to help you craft a speech that will leave the wedding party in stitches:

Highlight the Bride's Unique Personality Traits:

Share humorous anecdotes or observations that showcase the bride's unique personality. For example, you could talk about her infectious laughter, adventurous spirit, or kind heart. Keep the humour light-hearted and respectful. Remember, the goal is to celebrate the bride and make her feel special.

Share Embarrassing (But Endearing) Stories:

Everyone loves a good laugh, and sharing embarrassing but endearing stories about the bride is a great way to make your speech memorable. These stories can also be a glimpse into her fun-loving personality. For example, you could share a story about how the bride organised a surprise party for the groom, going to great lengths to keep him distracted while you all sneaked into their flat.

Compliment Her Appearance:

You don't need to be a fashion expert to make the bride feel special. Simply speak from the heart and let her know how amazing she looks. You could start with something like, "When [Bride] first walked down the aisle, I swear the whole room gasped. She looks absolutely breathtaking in that dress – a real-life princess." You can also compliment her smile, her happiness, or how her joy is contagious.

Include the Bride's Family:

The bride's family has likely played an important role in her life and the wedding planning. Take a moment to acknowledge their love and support, and share any funny or heartfelt stories about them. For example, you could share a story about a camping trip with the bride's parents, which will not only show your appreciation for them but also earn you brownie points with the in-laws!

Avoid Clichés:

Focus on specific, personal stories that illustrate the bride's best qualities rather than relying on generic phrases like "kind" or "beautiful." Share anecdotes that showcase her compassion, intelligence, or sense of humour. This will make your speech more engaging and memorable.

Use Inside Jokes Sparingly:

Inside jokes can add a personal touch to your speech, but too many obscure references may alienate some guests. Use them sparingly and provide enough context for all guests to understand and appreciate them. However, a well-placed inside joke with a killer punchline can make your entire speech better.

Balance Humour and Sincerity:

Intersperse heartfelt sentiments with funny stories to strike the right balance. Begin and end your speech with sincere expressions of appreciation for the bride, and ensure that your humour comes from a place of love and respect. Remember, your speech should ultimately make the bride feel special, appreciated, and celebrated.

Thank the bride and bridesmaids

Thanking the bride is an important part of the best man's speech. It's a chance to make her feel special and show how much she means to your friend. Here are some tips and examples to help you craft a thoughtful and meaningful tribute to the bride:

Compliment Her

Complimenting the bride is a great way to start your speech. Tell her she looks lovely and compliment the couple. You can also compliment the wedding, such as the beauty of the venue, the delicious food, or the great choice of music. This is a quick way to be seen as respectful by the guests. Here is an example:

> "All jokes aside, this is a beautiful wedding. The bride and groom look like a movie star couple together. And if you didn't taste the cake, you are missing out!"

Share Her Amazing Qualities

Think about the things that make the bride awesome. Is she kind, always ready to lend a hand? Does she have a heart of gold, always putting others before herself? Highlight her best qualities in your speech. For example:

> "I've never met anyone as compassionate as Sarah. She's always the first to offer help, whether you need a shoulder to cry on or a partner in crime for a wild adventure. And don't even get me started on her wit – this girl can make even the most boring story hilarious. Seriously, mate, you've hit the jackpot with this one!"

Tell Embarrassing (But Endearing) Stories

Sharing embarrassing but endearing stories about the bride is a great way to show your admiration. These stories can also be funny and make the wedding guests feel more connected to the bride. Just make sure to choose stories that are lighthearted and appropriate. For example:

> "I'll never forget the time Kate organised a surprise party for Steve's birthday. She spent weeks planning every detail, from the guest list to the decorations. And on the big day, she even managed to keep him distracted with a wild goose chase around town while we all snuck into their flat. The look on his face when he walked in and saw all of us there? Priceless! That's just the kind of thoughtful and sneaky girlfriend she is."

Compliment Her Stunning Appearance

Speaking from the heart, let the bride know how amazing she looks. You don't need to be a fashion expert to make her feel special. Here is a simple example:

> "When Sarah first walked down the aisle, I swear the whole room gasped. She looks absolutely breathtaking in that dress – like a real-life princess. Steve, mate, I don't know how you managed to keep your cool up there. I would've been a blubbering mess!"

Don't Forget Her Supporting Cast

In addition to complimenting the bride, take a moment to acknowledge and thank her family. These are the people who have been there for her and who have helped make the wedding a reality. Share any funny or heartfelt stories you have about them. For example:

> "I've got to give a special shout-out to Sarah's parents, John and Mary. Not only have they raised an incredible daughter, but they've also been like a second family to Steve. I'll never forget the time they took us all on a camping trip and John taught us how to fish. Well, he tried to teach us, anyway. I'm pretty sure the only thing we caught was a cold!"

Remember, when complimenting and thanking the bride, it's important to be genuine and sincere. Practice your speech in advance and make sure to raise a glass to the happy couple at the end!

Highlight the bride's positive influence on the groom

As the best man, your speech is a chance to make the bride feel truly special. Your words can make her feel like the most important person in the room. Here are some ideas for highlighting the bride's positive influence on the groom:

Her positive impact on the groom's life

You could talk about how the bride has positively influenced the groom's life. For example: "I have to say that Linda has been a wonderful influence on Paul. Since the day they met, he has been a happy soul and I wish them both all the future happiness they deserve."

How she has changed him for the better

Has the bride taught the groom to respond to texts? Has his culinary repertoire expanded beyond a fried egg? You could say something like: "I've noticed that since meeting Sarah, Steve has become a lot more responsive to messages – she's definitely taught him a thing or two!"

How she has made him a better friend

You could talk about how the bride has made the groom a better friend to you. For example: "I've known Paul for years, but since he met Linda, he's become an even better friend. He's always been there for me, but now he's also there for Linda, and that's a true testament to her character."

How she has helped him grow

You could mention how the bride has helped the groom grow and change for the better. For example: "Jeff told me about meeting a beautiful blonde named Anne a few years ago. I knew something would come of it, and fast forward to today, I can see how much Anne has positively impacted his life. Jeff and Anne are a perfect pair, and it warms my heart to see a couple so in love."

How she has brought him happiness

You could talk about how the bride has brought happiness to the groom's life. For example: "It's clear to see that the groom is smiling from ear to ear ever since he met his bride. I swear the whole room gasped when she first walked down the aisle – she looks absolutely breathtaking and has brought so much joy to my friend's life."

Wish the couple a happy future

The best man's speech is a memorable moment for the groom and is a way to further cement your friendship. It is also your chance to make the bride feel truly special. Your words can make her laugh, cry (happy tears, of course), and feel like the most important person in the room. Here are some tips to wish the couple a happy future:

Compliment the Couple

Complimenting the couple is a great way to show your support for their marriage. You can mention how the bride has positively impacted the groom's life or how they make a great team. For example:

> "Jeff and Anne are a perfect pair, and it seriously warms my heart to see a couple so amazingly in love. They complement each other in every way and radiate joy when they are together."

Share a Story

Sharing a story about the couple is a great way to add a personal touch to your speech. It can be about how they met, a funny anecdote, or a meaningful moment that showcases their unique connection. For instance:

> "When I first met Jeff, he was in a period of transition in his life. We met because of our mutual addiction to double shot espressos (iced with a little cream) at 6 AM every morning from the corner coffee shop Bob's Cup O' Joe. When he told me about meeting a beautiful blonde named Anne at Bob's Cup O' Joe a few years later, I knew something would become of it."

Express Gratitude

Expressing gratitude towards the couple and those who made the wedding possible is a thoughtful gesture. Thank the couple for inviting you to be part of their special day and acknowledge the people who contributed to making it a success. For example:

> "I am so grateful to Mr. and Mrs. Zimmerman for hosting us here today, and thank you to the bride and groom for inviting me to be part of their special day."

Toast to the Future

Conclude your speech by raising your glass and wishing the couple a lifetime of happiness and love. This is your chance to propose a toast to their future together. For instance:

> "Please join me in raising our glasses to a lifetime of happiness and many more adventures for Jeff and Anne! Cheers to the happy couple!"

Remember to keep your speech sincere, light-hearted, and focused on celebrating the couple and their love. With these tips, you'll deliver a memorable and heartfelt best man's speech, wishing the couple a happy and prosperous future.

Frequently asked questions