Best Man Speech: A Guide To Getting Started

Being asked to be the best man at a wedding is a huge honour, but it also comes with a great deal of responsibility. One of the most important tasks you'll have is giving a memorable speech. It's a chance to celebrate the groom, entertain the guests, and show your support for the happy couple. A great best man speech requires careful planning, personal touches, and confident delivery.

The first few lines of your best man speech set the tone for the rest of it, so nailing your opening lines is vital. Whether you're after a formal best man speech introduction, some funny lines to warm up the room, or a few best man speech openers to preface some sentimental stories, there are plenty of options to suit your style.

One idea is to poke fun at yourself. For example, you could say something like: Hi, I'm [x] and it's time for me to do this speech I scribbled down about an hour before the ceremony started. Another option is to give the impression that you've printed your speech off the internet: 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....

If you want to get straight into celebrating the groom, you could say something like: Over the next few minutes, I'll be taking you through Mark's sporting heroics, dealing with incredible loss, and being caned by people dressed as nuns... which, in fact, had nothing to do with the stag do. Or, if you want to begin by addressing the happy couple, you could try: Seriously, when Mark met you, Emily, everyone could see just how happy that made him. He's always been a great bloke waiting for the right girl, and everyone who knows you both will tell you what a great couple you are together.

Remember, the most important thing is to enjoy yourself!

Start with a joke about yourself

Starting a best man's speech with a joke about yourself is a great way to break the ice and engage the audience. Here are some tips and examples to help you craft a humorous and memorable opening:

Know Your Audience:

It is crucial to consider the audience when crafting your joke. Ensure that your humour is appropriate for all ages and backgrounds. Avoid jokes that could be offensive, discriminatory, or vulgar. Remember, you want your joke to bring people together and create a comfortable atmosphere.

Personalize the Joke:

Tailor your joke to the couple's unique personalities and your shared experiences with the groom. This adds a personal touch and makes your humour more memorable. For example, you can say something like, "For those who don't know me, I'm the best man. For those who do, I apologize in advance."

Keep It Light and Self-Deprecating:

Opt for lighthearted humour and self-deprecating jokes. You can make fun of your public speaking skills, your relationship with the groom, or any embarrassing moments you've shared. For instance, you can say, "I've been so nervous about this speech that I haven't been able to properly enjoy the past eight glasses of champagne."

Connect It to the Couple:

While the joke is about yourself, try to find a way to bring it back to the couple and their relationship. For example, "I've known the groom since college. Back then, his idea of fine dining was eating ramen noodles with a fork instead of straight from the packet."

Practice and Timing:

Practice your joke and the delivery to ensure it lands well. Time your speech so that your joke comes early on, helping to relax the mood and engage the audience. Keep your joke concise and avoid rambling.

"They say public speaking is one of people's biggest fears, right after death. Which means that right now, most of you would rather be in the casket than giving this speech."

"I've been told to keep this speech like a mini-skirt: long enough to cover the essentials, but short enough to keep everyone's attention."

"I've been so nervous about this speech that I've lost three pounds. So, at least something good came out of it."

"I wrote this speech the same way the groom picked his suit—last minute and with a lot of panic."

"I've known the groom so long, I remember when his idea of commitment was finishing a whole Netflix series."

Remember to adapt these examples to your personal experiences and relationship with the groom. Good luck with your best man's speech!

Thank the hosts, guests, and newlyweds

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

Thanking the Hosts

It is customary to thank the couple's parents for raising such wonderful people and, if they contributed financially, for hosting a fantastic celebration. You could say something like:

> "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 us all to enjoy this evening."

Welcoming the Guests

It is also a nice touch to welcome and thank the guests for attending. You could say:

> "Hello, everyone. On behalf of the newlyweds, I want to thank you all for attending this amazing celebration."

Addressing the Newlyweds

The newlyweds are, of course, the most important people to thank and address during your speech. Here are some ideas on how to do this:

Share a story about the groom: Talk about your favourite memories with the groom and any embarrassing or funny anecdotes that will entertain the guests. You could say something like:

> "I remember when we first met in first grade. [Groom's name] had just glued his hand to his face but still used his free one to shake my hand and ask if I wanted to be his friend."

Say something about the bride: Even if you don't know the bride as well, it is important to say a few words about her and welcome her into your friend's life. You could say:

> "I'm so happy [Bride's name] fell in love with [Groom's name]. Firsthand, I've seen the grace, intelligence, and confidence [Bride's name] has, which explains why [Groom's name] knew he wanted to marry her after their first date."

Share how the couple met: If you played a part in bringing the couple together, be sure to mention this. It will add a personal touch to your speech and give the guests an insight into how the couple got together. You could say:

> "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 eight years ago."

Talk about their relationship: Share how their relationship has grown and developed over time. You could say:

> "You two are fantastic together. May the flame burn long, and may sparks continue to fly. Cheers to the newlyweds!"

Wish them well: Finally, be sure to wish the couple a happy and successful future together. You could say:

> "May you always find joy in the little things and do everything you can to have a lifetime of happiness together. Let's toast to the newlyweds!"

Remember to keep your speech lighthearted, positive, and sincere, and don't be afraid to add in a few jokes to keep the guests entertained!

Share a story about the groom

Sharing stories about the groom is an essential part of a best man's speech. Here are some ideas for stories you could include:

How You Met

Share how you and the groom met, and what your first impressions of each other were. Did you become friends straight away, or did it take a while for your friendship to develop? You could also talk about how your friendship has grown and changed over the years.

Childhood and Teenage Years

Think back to when the groom was a child or a teenager. Are there any funny or embarrassing stories from this time that you could share? What was the groom like when they were younger? Did they have any funny nicknames, ridiculous hobbies or fashion choices?

University or Early Careers

If you and the groom went to university together, or started your careers at the same time, you could share some stories from this period in your lives. Did you live together? Did you have any wild nights out or funny adventures?

Their Positive Qualities

Share some of the groom's best qualities. Are they loyal, kind, or always ready to lend a hand? Are they unflappably optimistic, or a science whiz? You could also talk about how the groom has changed for the better since meeting their partner.

Their Quirks and Embarrassing Moments

While it's important to focus on the groom's positive qualities, it's also traditional for the best man to poke fun at the groom a little. Are there any funny stories about the groom's quirks or embarrassing moments that you could share? Just make sure to keep things light and good-natured, and avoid anything that could be seen as mean-spirited.

How the Groom Has Supported You

Share a story about a time when the groom supported you or had your back. This will show what a great friend the groom is, and how much your friendship means to you.

Remember to keep your stories brief and concise, and choose ones that will resonate with the audience. Good luck with your speech!

Describe the bride and groom's relationship

The bride and groom are a match made in heaven. They are the perfect couple, a dynamic duo, and a dream team. They are the yin to each other's yang, and their relationship is a beautiful journey.

The bride and groom are a true testament to the fact that opposites attract. They complement each other so well, and their relationship is a beautiful balance of chaos and calm. The bride is the calm to the groom's storm, the anchor to his sails, and the sun to his rain. She is the glue that holds him together, his rock, and his support system. She has changed him for the better, and he is happier, healthier, and more himself since meeting her.

The groom is the chaos to the bride's calm, the sails to her anchor, and the rain to her sun. He brings excitement and spontaneity to her life, and she embraces it. He has brought adventure and a new perspective, and she has welcomed it with open arms.

Together, they are a force to be reckoned with. They have created a partnership that is full of love, laughter, and just the right amount of craziness. They have mastered the art of making both sunny and stormy days beautiful, and their relationship is a rollercoaster ride. They have been through thick and thin, triumphs and disasters, and their relationship is stronger than ever.

The bride and groom are truly meant for each other, and their relationship is a beautiful reflection of their love for each other. They are each other's Person, and their relationship is a beautiful mess. They are a team, a duo, and a pair, and their relationship is a beautiful disaster.

Offer well-wishes and congratulations

Offering well-wishes and congratulations is an important part of a best man's speech. It is a chance to celebrate the groom, show support for the couple, and wish them a happy future together. Here are some ways to do this:

Offer Congratulations and Best Wishes

As best man, you can congratulate the couple and offer them your best wishes for a happy future. This can be done at the beginning and end of your speech. Some examples include:

• "Please join me in raising your glass. Let's toast Groom and Bride. Cheers!"
• "So I'd like to raise a glass to the happy couple. May they share a beautiful life together."
• "All that remains for me is to wish you all a long and happy life together, with all the luck in the world. Ladies and gentlemen, the bride and groom."

Talk About the Bride and Groom

You can also talk about the bride and groom as a couple and how they have changed each other for the better. For example:

• "Since meeting Jenny, Dan has finally stepped up into the best version of himself. He's happier, healthier, staying active, and finally dressing his age."
• "Cassie, I can see how incredibly happy you have made my old friend over these last eight years, and just how much you have helped to change his life for the better."
• "Seriously, when Mark met you Emily, everyone could see just how happy that made him. He's always been a great bloke waiting for the right girl, and everyone who knows you both will tell you just what a great couple you are together."

Share What the Groom Means to You

As best man, you were likely chosen because of your close relationship with the groom. Sharing what the groom means to you and what you like about him is a great way to offer congratulations and well-wishes. For example:

• "John, you have been a good friend to me ever since we first met, and not just in the form of free shots and hosting parties. We've had great times going to the games, hanging out, and making that journey from college to adult life."
• "Ali, I know you make Neil incredibly happy – you must do, he's stopped dressing like a middle-aged freak. But seriously, you both make a great couple, and I know he'll already have the next few years planned out on spreadsheets."
• "Frank now does something called globe-trotting, which actually involves going to lots of different far-flung countries and immersing yourself in their culture, rather than a two-hour flight and immersing yourself at the bar."

Frequently asked questions