Best Man's Guide To A Memorable Wedding Toast

Being asked to be the best man at a wedding is a tough honour, but it's also a role that comes with a lot of responsibility. One of the most important duties is giving a wedding speech and, more specifically, a wedding toast. This can be a daunting task, especially if you're not used to public speaking, but there are plenty of tips and tricks to help you prepare and deliver a great speech.

Keep it short and sweet

As best man, you want your wedding toast to be memorable, but not for being overly long and rambling. Keep your speech concise and focused, and your message will be more powerful and better received. Aim for around five minutes or less; this is plenty of time to get your points across and will ensure the guests remain engaged.

Start with an introduction that is simple and direct; a brief overview of who you are and your relationship to the groom is standard. You might also want to include a quick story about how you met the groom, especially if it's a funny anecdote. Keep it brief, though; this is just the opener, and you want to respect the time of the guests and the couple.

Next, you might want to share a favourite memory of the groom, or a story that showcases his personality and your friendship. Again, keep it short and sweet—you don't need to go into every detail, just paint a picture and give a flavour of your history together. This is a great way to honour your friendship and give the guests an insight into the groom's life.

Now, move on to the bride and groom as a couple. You could share a lighthearted story about how they met, or a sweet anecdote about a date they went on. You could even include a funny story about their engagement, as long as it's appropriate and tasteful. Keep the focus on the couple and their happiness, and try to avoid inside jokes or stories that only a few guests will understand.

Finally, wrap up your speech with a heartfelt congratulations and best wishes for the couple's future. You can also propose a toast to the newlyweds and thank the guests for their time and attention. Keep the ending short and upbeat, and your speech will be remembered fondly.

Make it funny

How to Make a Wedding Toast as a Best Man: Make it Funny

Start with a quick joke about something that happened that night. This is optional, but it adds flavour and spontaneity to your speech. Then, introduce yourself. Don't assume that everyone knows who you are. Avoid the boring, "For those of you who don't know me, I'm..." Instead, start with how you met the groom. It should be both factual and funny. Start with the fact, then pivot into the joke. For example:

> I met Charlie when we were roommates at Florida State. In college, he was the worst cook I'd ever seen. Maybe the world has ever seen. When he made pasta, he used ketchup as sauce. Not kidding. Ketchup.

Funny Stories About the Groom

Share funny, but not mean-spirited stories about the groom. They should poke fun at non-important stuff and shouldn't mock his career or fundamental life choices. Avoid introducing new characters by name. Keep it simple, with the groom and bride as the only characters in your speech. Talk about:

• The groom's fashion sense
• His dancing skills or lack thereof
• Early childhood stories
• Cooking skills
• Obsession with a sports team
• Super-geeky interests
• Lack of a sense of direction
• Personal habits, e.g. going to bed super early

Glowing Words About the Bride

This section is usually the toughest because you've known the groom for years, but the bride is a relative stranger. If you have glowing stories about her, use them. If not, lie! You're the best man, and you're giving them your blessing, so bring out the big guns and talk about how wonderful she is. If you don't know much about the bride, leverage the funny stories about the groom to show how the bride "completes him." For example:

> And then, about a year ago, I knew that Charlie was serious. He went grocery shopping for ingredients he had never seen before–cilantro, artichoke hearts, risotto–you name it. And he cooked. A real meal. Without ketchup. He spent five hours cooking, and I knew this man was in love.

You can also rattle off a quick list of the bride's amazing qualities. Go beyond looks. It can be nice and simple, but convey that she's more than just a pretty face.

Upbeat Conclusion

Keep it short and simple. You don't need to quote Proust or Yates. Just finish with something simple, classy, warm, and upbeat, like:

> Charlie... Jennifer... To a lifetime of love and happiness.

Or, if you're feeling bolder and more sentimental:

> Charlie... Jennifer... To a lifetime of joy, love, and fulfillment.

Be sentimental

Being sentimental during your best man's speech is a great way to honour the couple and their special day. Here are some tips on how to be sentimental during your wedding toast as the best man:

Share a Sentimental Story

Share a story that is meaningful to you and the groom. It could be about a memory you have together or something that represents your friendship. This will not only make the groom feel special but also give the guests a glimpse into your relationship. Just make sure the story is appropriate and won't embarrass the groom or his new spouse.

Highlight the Couple's Relationship

Speak about the couple's relationship and how they first met. You can share a story of how they met, or if you were the one who introduced them, you can add a little humour by saying:

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

You can also share how their relationship has grown and provide insight for other guests who may not know.

Compliment the Couple

Share what you admire about the couple. Highlight their individual qualities and explain why they are a great match. For example, you could say:

> " [Groom's name] has always been there for me, and I know he will be there for [spouse's name] too. [Spouse's name], you are kind, intelligent, and confident, and I know [groom's name] loves you for it."

Express Your Happiness and Well Wishes

As the best man, express your happiness for the couple and wish them a lifetime of love, joy, and happiness. You can say something like:

> "I am so happy you two found each other. [Groom's name/spouse's name], you have found your perfect match, and I know you will always be there for each other. Cheers to the newlyweds and a lifetime of love and laughter!"

Keep it Genuine

While it's important to be sentimental, make sure to stay true to yourself and your relationship with the couple. If you're not usually a sentimental person, you don't have to force it. Be honest and speak from the heart, and your speech will be well-received.

Share a story

Sharing a story is a great way to connect with the couple and the audience during your wedding toast. Here are some tips to help you craft a meaningful and engaging story:

• Choose a theme: Select a theme that ties your story together and reflects the couple's relationship. It could be their love for sports, vacations, mutual interests, or any theme that sums up their journey together.
• Be genuine: Share a story that is heartfelt and showcases the couple's best qualities. Talk about how they met, a funny incident, or a memorable moment that reflects their unique bond.
• Keep it light and positive: Avoid inside jokes or embarrassing stories. Opt for lighthearted, clean humour that will amuse the couple and the guests. Stay away from topics such as exes, negative experiences, or adult themes that might offend older guests.
• Include both the bride and the groom: Even if you are closer to one half of the couple, make sure to include both of them in your story. Share how they complement each other and bring out the best in each other.
• Make it concise: Keep your story brief and engaging. Aim for a duration of 3-5 minutes to hold the audience's attention. Focus on one key message or theme, and avoid rambling or sharing unnecessary details.
• Rehearse and practice: Write down your story and practice delivering it aloud. This will help you refine your story, improve your delivery, and ensure that your message is clear and well-received.

Thank the hosts

Thanking the hosts is an important part of a best man's speech. It's a good idea to thank the couple's parents for raising such amazing people and, if they helped pay for the wedding, for hosting a great party. Here's an 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 their parents for hosting such an awesome celebration for all of us to enjoy this evening.

You can also thank the couple for inviting you to be a part of their special day:

> Bride/Groom, I am so honoured to be part of this important day and beautiful celebration.

If you want to be playful, you can thank the best man for the wonderful party and then correct yourself, saying you meant the couple's parents.

If the couple is paying for the wedding themselves, you can thank them for hosting such a wonderful celebration.

Frequently asked questions