Crafting A Memorable Best Man Speech For The Big Day

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 the most memorable parts of a wedding is a funny, heartfelt speech from the best man. The best man's speech traditionally follows the groom's speech and may or may not follow the maid of honour's toast. It's a chance to say some kind words about your relationship with the couple and your best friend. Wedding speeches are meant to be quick, lighthearted moments during the reception, so while you should craft thoughtful words, you don't have to overthink it.

How to start a best man speech

So, you've been asked to be the best man at a wedding and now you need to write your speech. This can be a daunting task, but with a bit of preparation, you'll be able to deliver a speech that is funny, heartfelt, and memorable. Here are some tips on how to start your best man speech:

Know the Structure

The best man's speech traditionally follows the groom's speech and may come after the maid of honor's toast. It is an opportunity to share kind words about your relationship with the couple and your friendship with the groom. A good best man speech should be quick, lighthearted, and not too long—around 3 to 5 minutes is a good length.

Prepare in Advance

Don't leave writing your speech until the last minute. Give yourself at least a couple of months to brainstorm ideas and write down stories, jokes, or quotes you want to include. The more time you have to prepare, the better.

Know Your Audience

Remember that your speech should be tailored to your audience. The wedding guests could include strangers, family, and friends, as well as people from different generations and cultures, such as the groom's grandparents or boss. Avoid inappropriate jokes or stories that might offend certain guests.

Start with a Killer Opening Line

The first few seconds of your speech are crucial to grabbing your audience's attention. Introduce yourself and explain your connection to the couple. You can share a quick joke, a compliment, or an inspirational quote. For example:

> "I’d like to begin by congratulating the groom for his superb taste in choosing the best man [chuckle]."

> "Hello and welcome to tonight’s reception. [Groom's name], YOU truly are MY biggest fan. Wait, that didn’t come out right… As I was saying…"

> "Hello, I’m the best man [your name]. This entire day has been beautiful so far. In fact, I’m getting emotional. The wedding cake has me in TIERS."

Thank the Other Speakers and Hosts

It is customary to thank the previous speaker and lead into your speech. You can also take this opportunity to thank the couple's parents for raising such wonderful people and, if applicable, for hosting a great celebration. For example:

> "I'd like to begin by expressing my deepest gratitude to the couple's parents for raising such amazing people, who I'm fortunate to call my best friends. I would also like to thank them for hosting such an awesome celebration for all of us to enjoy this evening."

Compliment the Couple and the Wedding

Say something nice about the couple and their relationship. You can also compliment the wedding itself, such as the beauty of the venue, the delicious food, or the great choice of music. For example:

> "All jokes aside, this is a beautiful wedding. The bride and groom look like a movie star couple together. And if you didn’t taste the cake, you are missing out!"

By following these tips, you'll be well on your way to delivering a fantastic best man speech that the couple and guests will remember and cherish.

Best man speech topics to avoid

Being asked to be the best man at a wedding is a huge honour, but it also comes with a lot of responsibility. The best man's speech is often the most eagerly awaited and it's important to get it right. While you'll want to pack it with jokes and funny stories, there are some topics you should avoid to ensure your speech is memorable for all the right reasons.

• Don't focus on yourself: While it's natural to want to include a bit about your relationship with the groom, don't make the speech all about you. Avoid long, rambling anecdotes about your life and keep the focus on the happy couple.
• Don't embarrass the groom: It can be tempting to share embarrassing stories or crude jokes, but this is best avoided. Keep stories light-hearted and positive, and steer clear of mentioning exes or any embarrassing moments.
• Don't be negative: Your speech should be a celebration of the couple and their love. Avoid any negativity about marriage in general and steer clear of referencing previous marriages or divorces.
• Don't be inappropriate: It's best to leave out any jokes about drinking, drugs, gambling or sex. You don't want to cause friction or offend anyone, so keep the humour family-friendly and avoid anything that could be considered risque.
• Don't ignore the bride: While your main focus will be on the groom, don't forget to include the bride in your speech. Share a few words about your friend's new spouse and why they make a great couple.
• Don't wing it: A best man speech is not the time to "wing it". Take the time to plan and write your speech in advance, and don't forget to practice!
• Don't ramble: Keep your speech concise and to the point. Aim for around 3-5 minutes, which is enough time to say something meaningful without losing the attention of your audience.
• Don't drink too much: A drink may help calm your nerves, but too many could turn your speech into a disaster. It's best to limit yourself to one drink before your speech and save the real celebrating for afterwards.

Best man speech length

The best man's speech is one of the most eagerly awaited parts of a wedding. It usually comes last and is packed with jokes, embarrassing stories about the groom, and lovely words for the wedding party.

The ideal length of a best man's speech is between three and ten minutes. It should be long enough to include all the necessary elements, but not so long that it becomes tedious or loses the attention of the audience.

If there are multiple speakers at the wedding, the best man's speech should be adjusted accordingly. For instance, with three speakers, the best man should speak for around eight minutes; with four speakers, aim for around six minutes, and so on.

It's important to keep in mind that the guests' concentration may wane towards the end of a long wedding with many speakers. Therefore, if your speech falls at the end, make it short, funny, and memorable.

Regardless of the number of speakers, the best man should aim for a concise and impactful speech that captures the audience's attention, celebrates the couple, and leaves a lasting impression.

Best man speech jokes

The best man's speech is often the most eagerly awaited of all the wedding speeches, and it usually comes last. It's a chance to pack in the jokes, embarrassing stories about the groom, and some lovely words for the happy couple. Here are some ideas for jokes to get you started.

Jokes about the Best Man

• "Smart, handsome, kind, but enough about me..."
• "I recognise my place here; a best man is similar to a dead body at a funeral. Of course, you are expected to be there, but if you say too much, then people start freaking out."
• "I've been instructed to keep this speech smut-free, so if I come across any innuendo, I'll whip it out immediately."
• "I'm not used to public speaking. In fact, I'm so nervous, I can smell my own fear."

Jokes about the Groom

• "It's been an emotional day, even the cake is in tiers."
• "If there's anybody here this afternoon who's feeling nervous, apprehensive and queasy at the thought of what lies ahead, it's probably because you've just married [groom's name]."
• "I'd like to congratulate [groom] on a truly magnificent speech. I always knew it would be hard to follow, and I was right—I could hardly follow a word of it."
• "I've known [groom] for a long time, and he's always been a great guy. Now he has wider horizons and a greater sense of adventure. I know just how much of a support [bride] has been to him through the tough times."
• "I've played football with [groom] on many occasions, and never seen him lose a ball... as he doesn't kick it that far. In fact, he struggles to kick it full stop."
• "I don't believe in roasting the groom on his special day. Therefore, this speech won't contain anything embarrassing or controversial about [groom]. Instead, I'll refer only to the kind, funny side of his character. Thank you and goodnight."

Jokes about the Bride

• "Firstly, I'd like to say how beautiful the bridesmaids look, who have only been outshone by the bride herself, who looks amazing today."
• "I can see how incredibly happy you have made my old friend over these last eight years, and just how much you've helped to change his life for the better."
• "I always had a sneaking feeling that [groom] was batting way above his average, now I know he is!"

Jokes about the Happy Couple

• "I'd also like to congratulate the happy couple on a truly magnificent speech. I always knew it would be hard to follow, and I was right—I could hardly follow a word of it."
• "Please keep clapping and cheering to a minimum. I'm terribly hungover. I know, you shouldn't drink the night before a wedding, but I couldn't let the groom drink alone, could I?"
• "I've known [groom] for a long time, and he's always been a great guy. Now he has wider horizons and a greater sense of adventure. I know just how much of a support [bride] has been to him through the tough times."
• "I always had a sneaking feeling that [groom] was batting way above his average, now I know he is!"

How to deliver a best man speech

Delivering a best man speech can be nerve-wracking, but with the right preparation, you can deliver a speech that will be memorable for all the right reasons. Here are some tips to help you deliver a great best man speech:

Plan and Practice

The key to a successful best man speech is planning and practice. Start by writing down your ideas and creating a basic outline or template for your speech. Focus on a central theme or story about the groom and try to include a few personal anecdotes or stories. Keep your speech positive, respectful, and lighthearted, and aim for a length of around 3 to 5 minutes. Once you have your outline, practice your speech! Rehearse in front of a mirror, record yourself, or practice with a friend. The more you practice, the more comfortable and confident you'll feel on the big day.

Know Your Audience

Remember to consider your audience when writing your speech. Avoid inappropriate jokes or stories that might offend or embarrass the couple or their families. Keep in mind that the wedding guests will likely include people of different generations and cultural backgrounds, so tailor your content accordingly. It's also a good idea to get feedback from a trusted friend before the wedding to ensure your speech is on the right track.

Nail the Introduction

The introduction is crucial for capturing the audience's attention. Start with a catchy one-liner, a funny joke, a compliment, or an inspirational quote. You can also introduce yourself and explain your connection to the couple. For example: "Good evening, I am [your name], the best man and [relationship to groom] of [groom's name]. Tonight we're in a room full of great men—doctors, lawyers, military veterans, and successful businesspeople—yet I am the 'best.' His words, not mine."

Share Stories and Compliments

The best man speech is an opportunity to share stories and compliments about the groom. Talk about your friendship, funny experiences, or how the groom met his bride. Avoid making the speech all about yourself and try to include the bride as well. Share how the couple met, how they complement each other, and how the bride has positively impacted the groom's life. For example: "I first met Jeff when we both started a new job and bonded over our mutual addiction to double shot espressos. I knew we would be friends for life. And when he told me about meeting a beautiful blonde named Anne at the same coffee shop, I knew something would become of it."

Keep it Light and Positive

While humour is an important part of a best man speech, don't feel pressured to be a stand-up comedian. A few well-placed jokes or funny anecdotes are enough to loosen up the crowd. Focus on sharing how you feel about the couple and your genuine wishes for their future together. Avoid roasting the groom or making jokes at the couple's expense. Keep your speech positive and lighthearted, and remember to congratulate the happy couple!

Frequently asked questions