Introducing The Best Man: Perfecting Your Speech

Being asked to be the best man at a wedding is a huge honour, but it's also a role that comes with a lot of responsibility. One of the most important tasks is giving a memorable wedding speech. The best man's speech traditionally follows the groom's, and it's a chance to say some kind words about the couple and your relationship with the groom. Wedding speeches are meant to be quick, lighthearted moments, so you don't need to overthink it, but public speaking can be nerve-wracking for many people. Here are some tips on how to introduce yourself with a great opening line and deliver a fantastic best man's speech.

Introduce yourself with a twist

So, you want to introduce yourself with a twist? Well, you've come to the right place. Here are some ideas to get you started:

The Self-Deprecating Jokester

"Hi, I'm [Your Name] and it's time for me to deliver this speech I scribbled down about an hour before the ceremony. I must admit, I'm not accustomed to public speaking. I thought a toastmaster was a kitchen appliance!"

The Single Pringle

"Hi, I'm [Your Name], and in the run-up to the wedding, many have asked how I'll cope now that my best friend is married. Well, I'm thrilled! I can finally talk to women without him cramping my style!"

The Rule-Enforcer

"Right, I'd like to start by laying down some ground rules. If you have a mobile phone, keep it switched on and entertain yourselves. And if anyone texts you any good jokes, forward them to me!"

The Internet Intro

"It's a pleasure to stand here as the best man to 'insert name here'. Oh wait, I was supposed to edit that bit out before I printed it off..."

The Humblebrag

"My name is [Your Name] and I'm officially the best man. It might have taken [X] amount of years, but [Groom's Name] has finally admitted that I'm the best."

The Roast Master

"Hello, I'm [Your Name] and I'm here to tell you all about [Groom's Name] and how wonderful, handsome, and... sorry mate, I can't read your writing."

Remember, these are just a few examples to get your creative juices flowing. Feel free to adapt and personalise them to match your relationship with the groom and the tone you want to set for your speech. Good luck and break a leg!

Crack a joke, even a corny one

How to Introduce Yourself as the Best Man with a Corny Joke

Being the best man at your friend's wedding is a huge honour, and your speech is one of the most important parts of the role. The first few lines of your speech set the tone for the rest of it, so nailing your opening lines is vital. Here are some ideas for how to introduce yourself as the best man with a corny joke.

Joke about your forgetfulness

If you're known for being forgetful, you can use your best man speech introduction to poke fun at yourself. Here's an example:

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

This light-hearted joke is a great way to get some giggles at the start of your speech without saying anything about anyone else. It also sets a relaxed and humorous tone for the rest of your speech.

Make a "house rules" announcement

This unexpected joke is a fun way to start your speech and will definitely get some laughs.

"Right, I'd just like to start by laying down a couple of rules. Firstly, if you do have a mobile phone, please leave it switched on; keep yourselves entertained. And if anyone texts you any good jokes, please forward them to me."

Pretend you printed your speech off the internet

This joke is a fun way to poke fun at yourself and will definitely get a laugh from the audience.

"It's a pleasure to stand here as the best man to 'insert name here'. Oh wait, I was supposed to edit that bit out before I printed it off..."

Joke about the groom's appearance

If the groom can take a little joke about their appearance, this can be a fun way to start your speech.

"My name is [X] and I've known [groom] since school – yes, I knew him when he still had hair!"

Joke about the groom's punctuality

If the groom is known for always being on time, you can joke about that with something like:

"Derek was such a punctual guy in college. So punctual that while we were waking up, he was already out the door. Now, his colleagues can't keep up with him. He's always the first one at work."

Joke about the groom's sleeping habits

If the groom is a deep sleeper, you can share a funny story like this:

"He is a deep sleeper. He sleeps so deeply that when we had a sleepover at a friend's house, we carried him all the way to the pool, and he was still sleeping."

Joke about the groom's quiet nature

If the groom is on the quieter side, you can make a light-hearted joke about it:

"Mike is so quiet that sometimes we check to be sure he's alive and hasn't gone mute."

Remember, when cracking a joke in your best man speech, it's important to keep it clean and respectful. Avoid vulgar or embarrassing jokes, and make sure your humour is suitable for all ages. Good luck with your speech!

Be self-deprecating

Self-deprecating humour can be a powerful laugh generator in a best man's speech. It can make the audience feel superior to the speaker, which is one of the primary reasons people laugh. However, it's important to strike the right balance and not go overboard with self-deprecating jokes, as this can backfire and make your speech less effective. Here are some tips and examples to help you incorporate self-deprecating humour into your best man speech introduction:

Keep it light and playful:

You can make light of your own quirks or imperfections without putting yourself down too harshly. For example, if you're nervous about public speaking, you could say something like:

"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!"

Or, if you're known for being forgetful:

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

Use it to connect with the audience:

Self-deprecating humour can help you build rapport with the audience and make yourself more relatable. You can joke about shared experiences or inside jokes that the audience will understand:

"Right, I'd just like to start by laying down a couple of rules. Firstly, no heckling please. And secondly, if you do have a mobile phone... please, leave it switched on; keep yourselves entertained. I think if you keep your spirits high and your expectations low, everyone will be happy."

Balance it with confidence:

While self-deprecating humour can be effective, it's important to also showcase your strengths and build yourself up. Use self-deprecation sparingly to knock yourself down a notch and keep yourself likable:

"My name is [Name], and I've known [Groom] since we were at school—yes, I knew him when he still had hair! But enough about me; today is about the happy couple."

Avoid discrediting your expertise:

While self-deprecating humour can be powerful, be careful not to reference the very reason why the audience is listening to you. Don't give them a reason to doubt your authority on the subject of the groom and his life. Instead, use it as a light-hearted way to connect with the audience:

"I just want to thank [Groom], [Bride], and their parents for including me in this amazing event. I haven't known the groom for very long, but I already feel like part of the family. Though I promise not to pop in at Christmas or ask to borrow money—not yet, anyway!"

Disarm with humour:

If you feel nervous or anticipate any potential criticism, you can use self-deprecating humour to disarm your audience and make light of any concerns. This can help you feel more relaxed and connect with the audience on a personal level:

"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, the key to successful self-deprecating humour is to strike a balance. Keep it light, playful, and relatable without undermining your own authority or expertise.

Explain your connection to the groom

It's important to explain your connection to the groom when giving a best man speech. This is because, even in the closest of groups, it's unlikely that everyone at the wedding will know who you are. Explaining your connection to the groom satisfies the audience's curiosity and helps them understand why you're giving the speech. Here are some examples of ways to explain your connection to the groom:

Childhood Friend

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

"Paul and I met in our prams about 27 years ago. Paul's pram was twice the size of mine, smelt of urine, and was sometimes used to store unsavoury magazines—nope, sorry, I'm thinking of his first car!"

School Friend

"Paul and I met at school many years ago. In those days, 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 it was a joke to the teachers, too."

"I first met Brent when we attended the University of Texas and pledged a fraternity together. It was here, amongst the upside-down beer bongs, ritual humiliation, and complete lack of sleep, that I knew I had met a friend for life."

University/College Friend

"I met Paul in the first year of university. We didn't know Linda even existed then, but that's not to say Paul 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."

"I met [Groom] during freshman orientation, when we both thought ramen noodles counted as a food group and doing laundry once a month was perfectly acceptable. Our friendship was forged in the trenches of all-night study sessions, questionable dining hall decisions, and that one memorable incident with campus security that we're still not allowed to talk about."

Sports Team Friend

"If you think this speech is a little stop-start, that's because I wrote in gaps for when I assumed Paul would shout for a penalty."

"I've watched [Groom]'s character development over the years—from someone who thought 'commitment' meant pre-ordering a game to someone who plans date nights and remembers anniversaries. Though I notice he still uses 'just one more level' as an excuse for being late."

Brother

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

"As [Groom]'s younger brother, I've spent most of my life looking up to him—literally, until my growth spurt at 16, and figuratively, ever since. Being the younger brother meant I was often the test subject for his 'brilliant ideas.' Like the time he convinced me that chocolate-covered brussels sprouts were a delicacy, or when he assured me that the washing machine was actually a time machine."

Thank the hosts

Thanking the hosts is an important part of a best man's speech. Here are some ideas on how to do this:

Thanking the Hosts

"Today I know you will all agree that our hosts have gone above and beyond on this occasion and have set a precedent that will be hard to follow. Nonetheless, I know you will also agree that nobody deserves a celebration like this more than [bride] and [groom]. I'd like to recognise some pretty important people in the audience today, and as a matter of fact... without them, we wouldn't be here. That would be the groom's parents, [names], and the bride's parents, [names]! To all of you, thanks for making today happen! I know you've worked hard – from raising two of the finest people I know to working through the entire wedding planning, which resulted in this beautiful event! Here's to a job well done!"

"I'd like to thank [bride] and [groom] and their parents for including me in this amazing event. I haven't known the groom for very long, but I already feel like I'm part of the family. Though I promise not to pop in at Christmas or ask to borrow money. Not yet, anyway."

"I'd like to thank [bride] and [groom] for having me as their best man. I didn't really want to do it, but I thought it might be the only chance I'd get to have a meal and some drinks paid for by the groom, so I didn't risk turning it down."

"I want to thank the parents of the happy couple, not only for having me here and putting on this wonderful wedding, but for raising two awesome people and putting them out in the world."

"I want to thank the bride and groom for choosing me as best man. [Groom] paid me the ultimate compliment, and it means he wanted me to share in his joy. I am very happy indeed to be part of this wonderful occasion."

Frequently asked questions