Best Man Speech: Captivate, Charm, And Conquer

Being the best man at a wedding is an honour, but it also comes with a lot of responsibility. One of the most important tasks is giving a memorable speech that celebrates the groom, entertains the guests, and shows your support for the happy couple. While it can be a daunting task, with careful planning, personal touches, and a confident delivery, you can deliver a standout speech that will be remembered for all the right reasons. Here are some tips to help you write and deliver a killer best man speech.

Grab attention with a funny, sentimental, or mysterious opening line

Giving a best man speech is a chance to celebrate the groom, entertain the guests, and show your support for the happy couple. The opening line of your speech is crucial as it leaves a lasting impression and sets the tone for the rest of your speech. Here are some tips and examples to help you craft a funny, sentimental, or mysterious opening line that will grab your audience's attention.

Funny Opening Lines

A great way to start your best man speech is with a funny one-liner or joke that will capture the audience's attention and leave them wanting more. Here are some examples:

• "I'd like to begin by congratulating the groom for his superb taste in choosing the best man."
• "I must admit, I'm not accustomed to public speaking. Up until I was asked to give this speech, I thought a toastmaster was a kind of kitchen appliance!"
• "The happy couple has asked that I don't share any embarrassing stories, stag do pranks, or crude jokes in my best man's speech... so that's it from me! Thanks for listening."
• "I've watched [Groom]'s relationship status update from 'single' to 'in a relationship' to 'married' with the same excitement as watching a software upgrade—wondering what bugs would be fixed in this new version."
• "Good evening everyone! I'm Steve, and I met [Groom] during fraternity rush week. Back then, he was just a guy in cargo shorts with dreams of joining Greek life. Little did we know he'd become the legend who once ate an entire party-size pizza by himself—a record that still stands in our house."

Sentimental Opening Lines

If you want to start your speech on a more sentimental note, focus on your relationship with the groom and share heartfelt thoughts about his journey to this special day. Here are some examples:

• "Ladies and gentlemen, when I think about my friendship with [Groom], I'm reminded of all the moments that have led us here. From building blanket forts in primary school to helping each other through life's challenges, he's been more than a friend—he's been my brother."
• "Ladies and gentlemen, love isn't just about finding someone you can live with—it's about finding someone you can't live without. Standing here today, looking at [Groom] and [Bride], I see two people who have found exactly that."
• "I've heard that the best relationships come from the foundation of a deep friendship. Experts say that laughter, mutual respect, and enjoying each other's company are the ingredients for a long-lasting, joyful marriage. After knowing [Groom] and [Bride] for X years, there is no doubt in my mind that they will make a great pair."

Mysterious Opening Lines

To add an element of intrigue to your speech, you can start with a mysterious line that will spark curiosity and encourage your audience to listen closely. Here are some examples:

• "Hello everyone, I’m Mike, and I’m a man of few words—which is why [Groom] picked me for this speech. That, or everyone else said no."
• "Hello, I’m [x] and I’m here to tell you all about [x] and how wonderful, handsome, and… sorry, mate, I can’t read your writing."
• "Good evening everyone, my name is [x] and I'm the best man. I’ll try to keep my speech short because every minute I speak is an extra minute’s delay in witnessing how the [x]'s dance lessons worked out."

Congratulate the couple and acknowledge their commitment

Congratulating the couple and acknowledging their commitment is a crucial part of a best man's speech. Here are some tips and suggestions to help you craft this section effectively:

Express Sincere Congratulations

Begin by offering your sincere congratulations to the newlyweds. Acknowledge the significance of the occasion and the commitment they have made to each other. You can say something like, "Congratulations to the bride and groom! Today, you both made a lifelong commitment to each other, and it's a true honour to stand here as your best man." This sets a respectful and celebratory tone for the rest of your speech.

Share a Sentimental Moment

Include a heartfelt moment or a romantic anecdote that showcases the couple's bond. You might say, "I still remember the first time [Groom] mentioned [Bride] to me. There was a sparkle in his eye, and I knew this was something special. They are a perfect pair, and it warms my heart to see how deeply in love they are." Sharing a moment like this adds a touch of sentimentality to your speech and highlights the couple's connection.

Highlight Their Strengths as Individuals and as a Couple

Take some time to praise the couple individually and as a duo. Talk about their unique qualities and how they complement each other. For example, "Not only are they both incredibly kind and generous people, but they also bring out the best in each other. [Groom], your sense of humour is unmatched, and [Bride], your compassion knows no bounds. Together, you create a beautiful balance." This shows that you recognise and appreciate their relationship.

Wish Them a Bright Future

Conclude this section by wishing the couple a happy and prosperous future together. You can say something like, "I know that your love will continue to grow and flourish. May your lives be filled with joy, love, and all the blessings you deserve. Cheers to the beautiful journey ahead!" This positive message will leave a lasting impression on the couple and the guests.

Remember to keep this section focused on the couple, ensuring that your words are sincere and heartfelt. By incorporating these elements, you will effectively congratulate the couple and acknowledge their commitment in your best man speech.

Share a story or two about the groom

Sharing stories about the groom is a great way to keep the audience entertained and connected. Here are some tips to help you craft this section of your best man speech:

Choose the Right Story

The best stories to share are those that are funny, heartwarming, or mildly embarrassing, and really showcase the groom's personality and your relationship with him. You could talk about how you met, a favourite memory, or how he met his partner. If you're struggling for ideas, ask mutual friends or the groom's family for stories from his childhood, adolescence, or young adulthood.

Include Sensory Details

Make your story come alive by including sensory details. What did the scenery look like? Were there any prominent sounds or smells? For example, you could mention the "frigid cold lake you jumped into" or the "outrageously spicy food" you both ate.

Add a Punchline

Ideally, your story should end with a funny line or a shocking moment. It could be something like: "Just as the shark was about to bite the line, Joe reeled in the massive bluefin and yelled, 'I think we’re gonna need a bigger boat!'".

Keep it Appropriate

Avoid stories about the groom's exes, drugs, alcohol, or anything else that could be deemed inappropriate. A good rule of thumb is: if you have to ask yourself "is this appropriate?", it probably isn't.

Include Audience Members

Bring wedding guests into your story by directly addressing them. For example, you could say: "Mom, you might want to cover your ears for this one!".

Make it Lighthearted

While you want to share something meaningful, it's important to keep the mood light and positive. One or two good stories are better than several mediocre ones.

Address the groom's new spouse with sincere and personal words

Addressing the groom's new spouse is an important part of a best man's speech. Here are some tips on how to do this effectively:

Be Sincere and Personal

Say some kind and heartfelt words to your friend's new partner for life. If you are also friends with the spouse, share an anecdote about why this person is great individually and why they are a great match for your friend. You can talk about how they met, what your first impression of them was, and when you knew they were "The One".

Keep it Appropriate

Avoid inappropriate topics such as exes, previous marriages, or anything that could be considered offensive or embarrassing. Steer clear of adult topics and keep your speech clean and lighthearted.

Make it Inclusive

Avoid inside jokes that only a small group of people will understand. Instead, stick to universal topics that everyone can relate to and be inclusive in your story and joke-telling.

Be Mindful of Timing

While you want to take the time to properly address the groom's spouse, be mindful of the overall length of your speech. Aim for a total speech length of 2-5 minutes so that you don't lose the attention of your audience.

Practice

Practice your speech beforehand, especially if you plan to include any anecdotes or jokes about the groom's spouse. This will help you feel more confident and ensure that your speech is well-received.

End with a toast and well wishes for the future

Ending your best man speech with a toast and well wishes for the future is a crucial part of the speech. It's your chance to leave the newlyweds and guests with a positive, heartfelt message. Here are some tips to help you craft a memorable ending:

Congratulate the Couple

It's essential to offer congratulations to the happy couple. Acknowledge the significant commitment they've just made and express your best wishes for their future together. You can simply say, "Congratulations" or "Best wishes" to the bride and groom, celebrating this special moment.

Share Well Wishes

Share your hopes and wishes for the couple's future. You can wish them a loving, happy, and prosperous future together. For example, you can say, "May your lives together be filled with joy, love, and all the blessings of a beautiful marriage." This adds a touch of warmth and sincerity to your speech.

Include a Toast

A toast is a traditional way to end your speech and celebrate the couple. Raise your glass and invite the guests to join you in wishing the newlyweds a wonderful future. For example, you can say, "Please join me in raising a toast to the happy couple. May your love continue to grow and flourish. To the bride and groom!"

Keep it Positive

Regardless of the tone of the rest of your speech, it's important to end on a positive note. Even if you've included humour or light-hearted teasing, ensure that your final words are sincere and uplifting. Focus on the couple's happiness and the joy of the occasion.

Practice Your Delivery

As with the rest of your speech, practising your ending is crucial. Rehearse your delivery to ensure that your final words are confident and well-articulated. Practise speaking clearly and loudly, so all the guests can hear your well wishes.

Time it Right

Keep in mind the timing of your speech. The ending should be concise and impactful. Aim for a total speech duration of around 2-7 minutes, depending on the couple's preference and the flow of the reception. You don't want to ramble on too long and lose the attention of your audience.

Frequently asked questions