Double Best Man Speech: Working Together For Laughter

Being asked to be someone's best man is a tough honour, but it's also a role that comes with a number of important responsibilities. One of the most crucial tasks is delivering an incredible wedding speech. While it can be daunting to stand up and speak in front of a crowd, with some planning and preparation, you can deliver a speech that will be remembered for all the right reasons. Here are some tips to help you nail your double best man speech and make it a highlight of the wedding.

Planning: Gather embarrassing stories about the groom, but also include a genuine tribute

Planning a double best man speech can be a challenging task, but with some thoughtful preparation, you can deliver a memorable performance that honours the groom and keeps the audience entertained. Here are some tips for gathering embarrassing stories and including a heartfelt tribute:

Gathering Embarrassing Stories:

• Meet up with your co-best man and spend some time reminiscing about the groom. Gather a collection of funny, embarrassing stories, preferably ones that highlight the groom's quirks, flaws, or unusual habits.
• Look for a theme among the stories. For example, does the groom have a tendency to get into trouble, or does he often miss great opportunities? A theme will help tie your speech together.
• Be specific in your descriptions. Instead of saying the groom looks "a bit weird," pinpoint a unique feature, like "T-Rex-sized arms."
• Avoid overly crude or inappropriate jokes. Remember that the bride's family and grandparents will be in attendance, so keep the humour good-natured and lighthearted.

Including a Genuine Tribute:

• Include a warm-hearted tribute to the groom. This is your chance to showcase his positive attributes and prove why he's "husband material."
• Avoid relying solely on adjectives. Instead, find anecdotes that demonstrate the groom's best qualities in action.
• Share personal memories and stories that highlight the groom's unique qualities, achievements, and the impact he has had on your life.
• Be descriptive and use vivid language to help the audience see the groom through your eyes.
• Incorporate the groom's favourite sayings or expressions to add a personal touch.
• Structure your tribute effectively. Start by introducing yourself and explaining your relationship with the groom. Share stories and anecdotes that showcase his best qualities. Conclude with a heartfelt message that reflects his legacy and your well wishes for the future.

Remember, the key to a successful double best man speech is planning and collaboration. Work together with your co-best man to gather stories, find a theme, and structure your speech for maximum impact.

Duration: Aim for a 10-minute speech

A standard best man's speech should last around 8-10 minutes, so with two of you, you have a bit more flexibility. But don't be tempted to go over this—no one wants a long-winded speech! Keep it concise and entertaining.

As a double act, you can split the speech, giving each person 5 minutes to speak. This will ensure the energy stays high and the guests remain engaged. It's also a good idea to keep your stories and anecdotes concise and to the point. One excellent anecdote is much better than three average ones.

If you're worried about timing, you can always use prompt cards to keep you on track. These can be especially useful if you decide to go 'off-book' and memorise your speech. That way, you can quickly glance at your cards if you need to check how much more you have to say.

Remember, it's not just about the length of your speech but also the quality and delivery. Rehearse, time yourself, and make sure your speech is well-structured and punchy.

Content: Avoid inside jokes and focus on the couple

How to do a double best man speech: Content – Avoid inside jokes and focus on the couple

Start by introducing yourself and your fellow best man. You could also thank the guests for coming and celebrating with you. If you're feeling nervous, it can help to acknowledge this – it's a natural reaction to public speaking, and the audience will understand.

Talk about the groom

Share a few funny anecdotes about the groom, ideally ones that show off his quirks and unique personality. Avoid anything too embarrassing, and steer clear of inside jokes that only a few guests will understand. You could also mention the groom's accomplishments, and how he's changed for the better since meeting the bride.

Talk about the bride and groom as a couple

Discuss how the couple met, and what a great match they are. You could mention how the bride has improved the groom's life, and share your wishes for their future together.

Keep it concise

A best man speech should be short and sweet – aim for around 5 minutes each if there are two of you. Any longer and you risk losing the audience's attention.

Avoid alcohol before your speech

While it's natural to feel nervous, avoid the temptation to calm those nerves with alcohol. You might think it will make you funnier, but it won't!

Rehearse your speech

Practice your speech beforehand, and consider meeting up with your fellow best man to plan and rehearse together. This will help you feel more confident on the day, and ensure your speech runs smoothly.

End with a toast

Finish your speech with a toast to the happy couple, wishing them a long and happy marriage. You could also include a quote about love or marriage to end on a memorable note.

Avoid these pitfalls

• Don't write your speech as a comic script – unless you're a professional, it's hard to pull off and can come across as awkward and contrived.
• Don't include too much content – a speech that's heavy on stories can end up disjointed and confusing.
• Don't speak for too long – guests don't want to hear you speak for double the time, just because there are two of you.
• Don't include inside jokes – these will exclude people from your speech, and might not be appropriate for all ages.
• Don't mention the groom's ex-girlfriends – this is a surefire way to upset the bride!
• Don't forget to rehearse – a well-rehearsed speech will always be better received than one that's winged on the day.

Structure: Allocate specific lines to each best man

Structure: Allocating specific lines to each best man

A joint best man speech should be written like a script for a double act. Each best man should be allocated specific lines, with delivery alternating between the two of you. This will ensure that your speech has a clear structure and will make it easier for you to deliver on the day.

How to allocate lines

The best way to allocate lines is to divide your speech into sections, with each best man taking a paragraph or two at a time. This will create a back-and-forth dialogue that will engage the audience and showcase the unique dynamic between the two of you.

Rehearse and refine

It's important to rehearse your speech together to ensure that the transitions between speakers are smooth and natural. This will also give you an opportunity to refine your delivery and make sure that your speech flows well. Don't be afraid to cut lines or paragraphs that don't work or that feel awkward. It's better to have a shorter, well-delivered speech than a longer one that drags.

Incorporate ad libs

In addition to allocating specific lines, you can also incorporate ad libs, or "spontaneous" one-liners, into your speech. These can be scripted in advance or left open for improvisation during the delivery. Either way, they will add a layer of humour and spontaneity to your speech.

Collaborate and communicate

Throughout the process, it's crucial that you collaborate and communicate with each other regularly. This will ensure that your speech is cohesive and that there is no overlap or repetition. It will also help you to build a rapport that will enhance your delivery on the day.

Keep it concise

Finally, remember that a best man speech should be concise. As a general rule, aim for your speech to last no longer than 10-15 minutes in total. This equates to around 5 minutes of speaking time for each best man. By keeping your speech concise, you'll ensure that your audience stays engaged and entertained.

Delivery: Rehearse, but don't memorise your speech

Rehearse your speech beforehand, but don't feel like you have to memorise it word for word. It's more important to focus on connecting with your audience and delivering your speech with confidence. Practise your body language and eye contact, and remember to relax and be yourself.

Rehearse, but don't memorise

It's important to practise your speech beforehand so that you feel comfortable and familiar with the content. However, you don't need to memorise it word for word. In fact, it's better if it doesn't sound too rehearsed, as you want to appear natural and confident. Trying to memorise your speech can make you sound robotic and less engaging. Instead, focus on connecting with your audience and letting your personality shine through.

Body language and eye contact

Rehearse your body language and eye contact to ensure you appear confident and engaging. Practice standing with open body language, using hand gestures, and making eye contact with your audience. These non-verbal cues will help you appear more confident and will increase the impact of your message. Remember to relax and be yourself.

Relax and be yourself

Remember that you're simply telling a story about your best friend and the love of their life. Imagine you're talking to a group of friends, and let your personality shine through. There's no need to adopt a different character or try to be someone you're not. If you're not a comedian, don't force jokes. If you're not usually sentimental, don't feel pressured to be overly emotional. Just be yourself, and your speech will be more genuine and well-received.

Practise with a friend

Practising your speech with a friend can help you feel more comfortable and confident. They can give you feedback and help you refine your delivery. It's also a good idea to get feedback from a small group of people before the wedding day. This way, you'll receive constructive criticism and make changes to your speech if needed. Practising with others will help you feel less nervous and more prepared for the big day.

Frequently asked questions