Introducing The Best Man: A Guide To Wedding Speeches

The best man's speech is a chance to say kind words about the couple and your relationship with the groom. It's important to spend time thinking about your audience and the couple, and the type of icebreaker that will work best for them and you. If you're not a natural comedian, it's best to steer clear of jokes and opt for something charming, self-deprecating, or heartfelt. The best man's speech traditionally follows the groom's speech, so it's likely you'll have big shoes to fill. A great opening line will help get the crowd on your side.

How to introduce yourself as the best man

Being asked to be someone's best man is a tremendous honour, but it's also a role that comes with a number of important responsibilities. One of your key duties is to give a thoughtful and engaging wedding speech. Here are some tips and ideas to help you introduce yourself with style and confidence.

Know Your Audience

Before you begin crafting your introduction, it's crucial to consider your audience. The wedding guests, particularly on the bride's side, may be curious about your connection to the groom. Satisfy their curiosity by briefly explaining your relationship. For example:

> "Let me introduce myself, I'm Jason, and it's an honour to be standing here as Paul's best man. I suppose I should actually say it's an honour and a pleasure, but I know the pleasure won't kick in until this speech part is over."

> "For those of you whom I haven't met, I am Jason, the Best Man. I just wanted to give this quick, impromptu speech that I jotted down about ten months ago."

If you're the groom's sibling, you could say something like:

> "Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Today, I feel like I'm gaining a new sister and losing a brother. It's a mix of emotions: happiness, joy, and relief!"

Share a Lighthearted Joke

A well-timed joke can be a great icebreaker and help you connect with the audience. You could try something self-deprecating, such as:

> "Hi, I'm [name], and it's time for me to do this speech I scribbled down about an hour before the ceremony started."

> "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 type of kitchen appliance!"

Or, if you're a single pringle, you could poke fun at the groom with a line like:

> "Hi, I'm [name], and in the run-up to the wedding, many people have asked me how I'll cope now that my best friend is married. And the truth is, I'm thrilled! I'm finally able to talk to women without him cramping my style!"

Set the Tone

The first few lines of your introduction set the tone for the rest of your speech. If you want to deliver a more formal and traditional introduction, you could say something like:

> "Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. Firstly, on behalf of the bride and groom, I would like to thank you all for coming today and helping to make their wedding such a memorable and special occasion. Personally, I wish you'd all stayed at home and made my job less nerve-wracking!"

If the groom is your mentor or someone you look up to, you could acknowledge that in your introduction:

> "Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Before I start, let me say that I am honoured to have been asked to be the best man. Over the years, [groom's name] has been more than a mate; he's also been a mentor. He has played a major part in shaping the person I am, especially in developing my sense of humour. So, while I have tried to make this speech as funny as possible, please blame him if it's not!"

Share a Story

A great way to introduce yourself is to share a story about your relationship with the groom. This could be a lighthearted anecdote or a heartfelt memory. For example:

> "I don't really remember the first time I met [groom's name], as I was less than two years old at the time. I am told he was little, bald, and a bit dribbly. Well, he's grown up now, has some hair, and provided he doesn't have too much to drink, should be OK on the dribbling front, too!"

> "I met [groom's name] in the first year of university. We didn't know the bride existed then, but that's not to say he had no love interests. He was absolutely bowled over by a real sparkler called Stella. When money got tight, he found that an evening with Sherry was always good. That said, he did play the field—Carlsberg, Teachers, Smirnoff, he loved them all."

Keep it Brief and Sincere

While you want to make a good impression, it's important not to ramble on. Keep your introduction concise and sincere. You could say something like:

> "Hello, I'm the best man, and I can start by saying what a pleasure it is to be the best man at [bride and groom's names] wedding. [Groom's name] made me compete for this honour today, but I was able to beat the barman over there in rock-paper-scissors, so here I am!"

> "I've been worried about giving this speech for a while now. Fortunately, last night I slept like a baby—waking up every two hours and bawling my eyes out."

Remember, this is your opportunity to celebrate the couple and share your well wishes. Keep your introduction light, positive, and focused on the newlyweds.

How to explain your relationship with the groom

The guests at a wedding, especially those on the bride's side, may be curious about your connection to the groom and why you are standing up there as the best man. Explaining your relationship with the groom succinctly will satisfy their curiosity. Here are some ideas on how to do this:

If You Are the Groom's Sibling

"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Today, I feel like I'm gaining a new sister and losing a brother. It is a mix of emotions: happiness, joy, and relief!"

If You Met the Groom as a Child

"I don't really remember the first time I met [groom's name]. I was less than two years old at the time. I am told he was little, bald, and a bit dribbly. Well, he's grown up now, has some hair, and provided he doesn't have too much to drink, should be OK on the dribbling front, too."

If You Met the Groom at School

"I met [groom's name] at school many years ago. Back then, he shone as a personality rather than an academic achiever. I know he won't mind me saying that because he never tried to hide his limitations. In fact, it was all a bit of a joke to him and the teachers."

If You Met the Groom at University/College

"I met [groom's name] in the first year of university. We didn't know the bride existed then, but that's not to say [groom's name] had no love interests. He was absolutely bowled over by a real sparkler called Stella when I first met him. But when money got tight, he found that an evening with Sherry was always good. That said, he did play the field—Carlsberg, Teachers, Smirnoff, he loved them all."

If You Are Friends Since Your Teens

"I think we'll all agree that the bride has done well for herself landing [groom's name]—a paradigm of manhood. As a teenager, he once had a full-page feature dedicated to him in Elle magazine, though it was in the problem pages."

If You Met the Groom Through a Sports Team

"If you think this speech is a little stop-start, it's because I wrote in gaps when I assumed [groom's name] would shout for a penalty."

"It's funny how people develop idiosyncrasies when they start living with someone else. Just last month, [groom's name] started sleepwalking... he sleepwalked downstairs and out to the garden shed, where he sleep-burned his entire back catalogue of Nuts magazine. You can vouch for that, can't you [bride's name]?"

If You Are the Groom's Mentor

"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Before I start, let me say that I am honoured to have been asked to be the best man. Over the years, [groom's name] has been more than a mate; he's also been a mentor. He has played a major part in shaping the person I am, especially in developing my sense of humour. So, while I have tried to make this speech as funny as possible, please blame [groom's name] if it's not."

How to tell a story about the groom

As the best man, your role is to act as the official storyteller at the wedding. Here are some tips on how to tell a story about the groom in your speech:

Choose the Right Story

Select a story that is memorable and will resonate with the audience. It could be a funny anecdote, a bold or embarrassing story, or an impressive character story about the groom. Think about the groom's characteristics and try to recall stories that build around those traits. For instance, if the groom is known for his courage, share a story that showcases his bravery.

Keep it Appropriate

While it's good to share humorous stories, avoid turning your speech into a roast or making jokes at the groom's expense. Keep the stories positive and avoid sharing anything that might be inappropriate or make certain guests uncomfortable. Steer clear of inside jokes that only a few people will understand, and refrain from mentioning old partners or relationships.

Focus on the Couple

While you can include a story or two about your friendship with the groom, don't make the whole speech about it. Remember, the relationship you're celebrating is between the newlyweds. Share stories that shine a unique light on their relationship and how they complement each other.

Make it Meaningful

While humour is important, don't forget to add sentiment to your speech. Share how you truly feel about the groom and his partner. Talk about your personal insight into their bond, and don't be afraid to get a little emotional. It's these heartfelt moments that will make your speech memorable.

Practice and Time Management

Practice your speech beforehand, and aim to keep it concise. A good length for a best man's speech is around 3-5 minutes. Time yourself to ensure you're not speaking for too long and boring the audience.

Engage the Audience

Involve the audience in your speech by asking them questions or seeking their perspective. Make eye contact, use gestures, and adopt open body language to appear more confident and engaging.

Remember, the key to a great best man's speech is to share stories that celebrate the groom and his partner, all while keeping the audience entertained.

How to include the bride in your speech

The best man's speech is a chance to showcase your public speaking skills, honour your friendship with the groom, and celebrate the newlyweds. While the focus of your speech should be on the groom, it's essential to include the bride and make her feel special. Here are some tips on how to include the bride in your best man's speech:

Share Her Amazing Qualities

Think about the qualities that make the bride truly exceptional. Is she kind, intelligent, or hilarious? Instead of simply saying she's "nice," share specific examples that showcase her unique attributes. For instance, you could say, "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

Embarrassing yet endearing stories are a great way to showcase the bride's incredible qualities and give the wedding guests a good laugh. Share a story that not only highlights her thoughtfulness but also provides a glimpse into her fun-loving personality. For example, "I'll never forget the time Kate threw a surprise party for Steve's birthday. She spent weeks planning every detail, from the guest list to the decorations. She even managed to keep him distracted while we all sneaked into their flat. The look on his face when he walked in and saw us was priceless! That's the kind of thoughtful and sneaky partner she is."

Compliment Her Stunning Appearance

It's essential to acknowledge how stunning the bride looks on her special day. You don't need to be a fashion expert to make her feel like a million bucks. Simply speak from the heart and let her know how amazing she looks. You could say something like, "When Sarah walked down the aisle, the whole room gasped. She looks absolutely breathtaking in that dress—a real-life princess. I don't know how you kept your cool, mate!"

Give a Shout-Out to Her Family

Don't forget to acknowledge the bride's supporting cast—her family. These are the people who have been there for her through thick and thin and have likely played a significant role in making the wedding a reality. Share any funny or heartfelt stories you have about them. For example, "I want to give a special shout-out to Sarah's parents, John and Mary. They've raised an incredible daughter and have been like a second family to Steve. I'll always remember the time they took us on a camping trip and taught us how to fish, or at least tried to!"

Keep It Clean

While it's important to include humour in your speech, remember to keep the language clean, especially if there are children present. Avoid raunchy jokes and steer clear of offensive language. A few light-hearted quips are fine, but make sure your humour is respectful and tasteful.

Be Genuine

When expressing your admiration for the bride, be sincere and genuine. Your words will only land if they come from a place of authenticity. Share stories and examples that showcase her best qualities, and don't hold back on the compliments!

Practice, Practice, Practice

The key to a great speech is preparation. Practice your speech beforehand, and don't be afraid to use notes on the day. The more you rehearse, the more confident you'll feel when delivering your speech.

How to end the speech

So, you've reached the end of your best man speech. The finish line is in sight, but how do you end your speech in a way that's memorable, meaningful and avoids any awkwardness? Here are some ideas to help you craft a strong conclusion:

Keep it Short and Sweet

It's tempting to ramble on, especially if you're nervous, but aim to keep your speech concise. Five minutes is a good maximum length to aim for, and you can always finish sooner. If your speech is running long, cut out any unnecessary details or stories that don't add much value.

Thank the Happy Couple

Express your gratitude to the newlyweds for including you in their special day. You can also thank the people who made the wedding possible, such as the bride and groom's parents or anyone else who played a significant role. It's a simple way to show your appreciation and make everyone feel valued.

Raise a Glass

A traditional way to end your speech is with a toast. Ask everyone to raise their glasses and join you in wishing the couple a happy future. This can be as simple as "Cheers to the happy couple!" or something more creative and personalised.

Congratulate and Compliment

Offer your sincere congratulations to the bride and groom, and feel free to include a compliment or two. You can highlight their positive qualities, wish them a bright future together, and even include a quote or blessing. This is your chance to shower them with love and well-wishes.

Tie Back to Your Theme or Opening

If you started your speech with a particular theme or an interesting opening line, try to bring it back at the end. This creates a nice sense of closure and leaves a lasting impression. For example, if you began with a quote about friendship, end with the same quote, adding how it now applies to the couple's relationship.

Practice Your Delivery

Even if you have a great conclusion planned, it might fall flat if your delivery is rushed or awkward. Practice your speech beforehand, and pay particular attention to your body language and tone of voice. Rehearse in front of a mirror or with a trusted friend, and remember to smile!

Avoid Inappropriate Topics

As you wrap up your speech, be mindful to avoid any topics that could cause embarrassment or offence. Steer clear of dirty jokes, sex, exes, or anything else that might make the groom's grandma uncomfortable. Keep it classy and respectful.

Be Yourself

Authenticity is key. Don't try to be someone you're not. If you're usually not a joker, don't force jokes into your speech. Be true to yourself, and your sincerity will shine through.

Wish Them a Bright Future

End your speech on a positive note by wishing the couple all the best for their future together. You can mention specific things you hope they'll experience, such as love, happiness, adventure, or any other blessings you want to bestow upon them.

Leave Them with a Laugh

If humour is your strong suit, consider ending with a light-hearted joke or a funny anecdote. It leaves everyone with a smile on their faces and ensures your speech is memorable. Just make sure the joke is appropriate and won't cause any offence.

Remember, the key to a successful best man speech conclusion is to be genuine, keep it brief, and focus on celebrating the happy couple. With these tips in mind, you'll be well on your way to delivering a memorable and meaningful ending.

Frequently asked questions