Crafting A Memorable Best Man Speech Together

Being a best man is a great honour, but it can also be a nerve-wracking experience. A best man's speech is often one of the most memorable parts of a wedding, so it's important to get it right. Here are some tips to help you deliver a great joint best man speech that will leave a lasting impression:

Planning and Preparation:

- Meet up with your fellow best man to gather stories and anecdotes about the groom. Look for a theme that ties these stories together, such as the groom's personality or a significant event in their life.

- Keep the speech concise. Aim for a total duration of 8-10 minutes for both of you, with each person speaking for no more than 5 minutes.

- Divide the speech into sections, with each of you taking turns to speak. This will create a dynamic and engaging delivery.

- Avoid chronological storytelling. Instead, focus on weaving stories around the chosen theme.

- Include a mix of humour and sincerity. It's okay to poke fun at the groom, but be respectful and avoid inappropriate jokes.

- Rehearse your speech together. Practise your delivery, body language, and any ad-libs to ensure a smooth and engaging performance.

Speech Content:

- Start with a strong opening line that captures the audience's attention. This could be a joke, a compliment, or a quote.

- Introduce yourself and your connection to the groom. Share a light-hearted story about how you met to engage the audience.

- Share anecdotes and stories about the groom. Embarrassing or humorous stories are great, but keep them appropriate and light-hearted.

- Include a sincere tribute to the groom. Highlight their positive attributes and the impact they have had on your life.

- Say a few words about the groom's spouse. Welcome them into the family and share your well-wishes for their future together.

- Thank the couple's parents and acknowledge their role in raising the groom and hosting the wedding.

- Conclude with a heartfelt toast to the newlyweds, wishing them happiness and love.

Remember, the key to a successful joint best man speech is collaboration, planning, and a focus on celebrating the groom and their spouse. With careful preparation and a bit of creativity, you'll be able to deliver a speech that will be remembered and cherished by the happy couple and the wedding guests.

Prepare in advance

The best man's speech is a big deal, so it's important to prepare in advance. Start by jotting down thoughts, stories, jokes, and quotes you might want to include. If you don't know much about how the couple met, be sure to ask. Think of stories that show what a great guy the groom is. Remember, the goal of the speech is to celebrate the couple and make them look good.

Begin drafting your speech at least two months before the wedding. As the wedding nears, there will be lots of events—such as suit fittings and showers—that could distract you from getting your writing done. Brainstorm and write down any material you want to include. The more time you have to prepare, the better. This way, you'll be able to be fully present at upcoming wedding festivities.

If you're speaking at a corporate event, click here for tips on how to ensure tip-top delivery.

If you're nervous about public speaking, consider adding jokes to your speech. Every groom will have some funny characteristics or quirks you can ridicule. As long as it's something everyone can appreciate, it's sure to get a laugh. Avoid obscure references or inside jokes. You want older guests and those who don't know the groom well to see the funny side, too.

Even those with a great memory will feel more confident with a written speech or at least a few bullet points to keep them on track. Nerves can mess with your memory, so don't think you're a failure if you have to bring notes with you.

Practice delivering your speech aloud at least three times. Take a video and watch the playback to get a feel for how your speech is going. If your friends can't offer critiques in person, send the video to a close friend who won't be going to the wedding and who can give you honest feedback.

Keep it short

Keeping your speech short is one of the most important things to consider when preparing a best man's speech. The ideal length of a best man's speech is around 5 to 7 minutes. This is the maximum attention span of your audience, and any longer will cause people to lose interest. If you are giving the speech with a co-best man, your speech should be around 7 minutes.

• Prepare your speech in advance. Writing down your speech will help ensure it is well-structured, to the point, and funny. Bullet point your key points to avoid flipping through pages, which can make your speech less interesting.
• Be yourself. If you are not typically a joker, don't try to crack jokes. Be true to yourself, as this will make your speech more authentic and enjoyable for the audience.
• Stay sober. While it is normal to have a drink or two before your speech, avoid getting drunk, as this can lead to inappropriate jokes, slurred speech, and rambling.
• Be tactful. Avoid dirty jokes, sex, or stories about the groom's exes. Keep in mind that your speech should be appropriate for all guests, including the groom's family and grandparents.
• Practice your speech. Rehearse your speech to get a sense of the timing and make any necessary adjustments. Practicing will also help you feel more confident and comfortable when delivering the speech.
• Keep it simple. Your speech does not need to be groundbreaking or unique. A short, heartwarming story about the couple and wishing them well is often enough.
• Thank and compliment the bridesmaids, parents, and other key individuals who have contributed to the wedding.
• Keep your ending in mind. Plan how you will conclude your speech, as this is the part that people will remember the most.

Be yourself

Being yourself is one of the most important things to keep in mind when giving a best man speech. Authenticity will make your speech more impactful and memorable. If you're not known for being the comedian among your friends, don't feel compelled to crack a series of jokes. Similarly, if sentimentality isn't your style, don't feel obligated to make your speech overly emotional.

Your speech should incorporate personal stories, inside jokes, and your genuine emotions about the groom and the couple. If it feels fake or forced, scrap it.

If you're not comfortable speaking in front of people, it's a good idea to write your speech down, but don't read it word for word. Instead, bullet point your speech so that you don't have to flip through pages, which can make your speech less interesting.

If you usually don't joke, don't try to crack jokes in your speech. Be true to yourself, and your speech will be good.

Thank the other speakers

Thanking the other speakers is an important part of your best man speech. It's a thoughtful way to acknowledge the people who have contributed to the wedding and it helps you transition into your speech. Here are some tips on how to do it:

Thank the Previous Speaker

First, thank the previous speaker, usually the maid of honour. You can be sincere or inject some humour here. For example, "Let's give a round of applause for the maid of honour's wonderful speech. If you enjoyed how sweet and heartfelt her speech was, get your tissues ready for this one!"

Thank the Couple's Parents

Next, express your gratitude to the couple's parents for raising such incredible people and, if applicable, for hosting a fantastic celebration. For example, "I'd like to thank the couple's parents for raising such amazing individuals, who I'm fortunate to call my best friends. I'd also like to thank them for hosting this wonderful celebration for all of us to enjoy."

Thank the Wedding Party

If you wish, you can also thank the bridesmaids and groomsmen for their contributions to the day and the lead-up to the wedding.

Thank the Guests

Finally, don't forget to thank the guests for coming and being a part of this special day.

Share personal stories

Sharing personal stories is a great way to make your best man speech stand out. It's a chance to add a unique and entertaining twist to your speech, and there are many ways to do this effectively.

Firstly, you can talk about how you met the groom and share anecdotes from your friendship. This helps establish a connection with the audience and can be a great opportunity for humour. For example, you could say something like:

> "I first met [Groom] in primary school, when we were both drawing stick figures. They say the perfect speech should be like a mini skirt: long enough to cover the essentials but short enough to keep things interesting."

You could also share stories about the groom's transformation after meeting his spouse. This is a great way to compliment both the groom and their partner, and it adds a sentimental touch to your speech. For instance, you could say:

> " [Groom], you've gone from someone who thought 'clean' meant pushing everything under the bed to someone who actually makes their bed – though I suspect that's still a work in progress."

Another idea is to talk about the couple's relationship and how they met. This gives the guests insight into the newlyweds and can be a heartwarming addition to your speech. You could say something like:

> "I know I said I'm the best man, but I lied. I'm actually Cupid because I'm the one who introduced these two eight years ago."

Finally, you can share funny or embarrassing stories about the groom, but be careful not to cross the line into inappropriate territory. Keep it lighthearted and avoid anything that might embarrass his grandmother! For example:

> "I've watched [Groom] attempt to cook, try to dance, and attempt to flirt – all with the same level of success as a penguin trying to fly."

Frequently asked questions