Best Man Speech: Tips And Examples To Inspire

Being chosen as the best man at a wedding is a huge honour, but it also comes with a great responsibility: giving a memorable speech. The best man's speech is one of the highlights of the wedding, and while it's only about 10 minutes on the day, it will be remembered for a lifetime. It's a chance to celebrate the groom, entertain the guests, and show your support for the happy couple.

But how do you craft a best man speech that's funny, heartfelt, and won't embarrass you or anyone else? Here are some tips and examples to help you get started.

How to start with a killer opening line

The opening line of your best man speech is crucial as it will set the tone for the rest of your speech. It is the first impression you will make on the audience, so it is important to grab their attention and leave them wanting more. Here are some tips and examples to help you craft a killer opening line:

• Start with a joke or a compliment: A funny joke or a sincere compliment about the groom is a great way to break the ice and get the audience laughing. For example, "I'd like to begin by congratulating the groom for his superb taste in choosing the best man. [chuckle]".
• Be unique and personal: Try to come up with an opening line that is unique and reflects your personality. Share a mysterious or juicy line about the groom, such as "I am the groom's younger brother. As a kid, the groom was so excited to have a younger brother that he quickly crowned me as his servant for the next 10 years."
• Quote a poem or a movie: Quoting a poem or a movie line can be a great way to add a touch of sentimentality or humour to your opening. For example, "There are friends, and there is family, but friends also become family. This is so true for [Groom] and me. We've been best friends since we were X years old, and I've always considered him my brother."
• Break the ice with a toast: Sometimes, the simplest way to start is by raising a toast to the happy couple. This can help ease your nerves and create a warm atmosphere. For example, "I'd like to give a toast to the bride and groom." [pull out a piece of toasted bread from your pocket and offer it to them].
• Be self-deprecating: Don't be afraid to poke fun at yourself. It can make you more relatable and likeable to the audience. For example, "Caring, loyal, honest, good-looking, and an all-around great guy... OK, enough about me, onto the groom...".
• Set the tone: Use your opening line to give the audience a sense of what to expect from your speech. If you plan on telling embarrassing stories about the groom, you could say something like, "I'd like to start by congratulating the groom for his excellent taste in choosing the best man. [dramatically drop the cue cards]. Unfortunately, his taste in friends is not so great, as you're about to find out...".
• Keep it short and sweet: Your opening line doesn't have to be a long, elaborate monologue. A short and snappy line can be just as effective, if not more so. For example, "There's a reason I'm holding this old, worn-out baseball cap. Hello everyone, I'm Mike, Jeff's best man."

Remember, the most important thing is to be yourself and have fun with it! The audience wants you to do well, so relax and enjoy the moment.

How to thank the other speakers

Thanking the other speakers is an important part of a best man's speech. Here are some tips on how to do it effectively:

Keep it Short and Sweet

While it is important to acknowledge the other speakers, try not to make your list of thank-yous too long. Weave your gratitude throughout your speech in a creative way so that the audience hardly realises you are running through a list. This will help to maintain the flow of your speech and keep your audience engaged.

The Groom

Be sure to thank the groom for asking you to be his best man and for being a good friend. You can also check with the groom beforehand if there is anyone he would like you to thank on his behalf, to avoid any overlaps in the speeches.

The Bride's Parents

It is customary to thank the bride's parents for putting on the celebration and raising their daughter. This is a lovely way to acknowledge their contribution to the wedding and can be a heartfelt moment in your speech.

The Guests

Express your gratitude to the guests for attending the wedding, especially those who have travelled a long way. This is a simple way to make everyone feel appreciated and included in the celebrations.

Other Speakers

If there are other speakers at the wedding, such as the father of the bride, the groom, or the maid of honour, be sure to thank them for their kind words and well-wishes. This shows your respect for their contributions to the wedding celebrations.

Volunteers and Helpers

It is also a nice touch to thank any volunteers or helpers who have contributed to the wedding, such as the wedding planner, flower arranger, or any other behind-the-scenes helpers who have made the day a success.

Remember to keep your thanks sincere and heartfelt, and try to personalise them as much as possible. Practise your speech beforehand and make sure you are familiar with the content so that your gratitude comes across as genuine and meaningful.

How to share personal stories

Sharing personal stories is a great way to make your best man speech stand out. Here are some tips to help you with this:

Choose the Right Stories

Select stories that are lighthearted, short, and have a sentimental or funny ending. Avoid stories that ramble on or are overly embarrassing. Opt for anecdotes that showcase the groom's character, values, and friendship. If the groom and his partner have a shared history with you, you can also share stories about their relationship.

Include Sensory Details

When recounting your stories, engage the audience's senses by including sensory details such as sights, sounds, smells, and tastes. For example, if you're telling a story about a fishing trip, mention the frigid cold lake or the squeaking of tire wheels. This will help the audience visualise the story and make it more entertaining.

Ask Friends for Stories

If you're struggling to remember stories, ask mutual friends—they may have some great stories you might not remember.

Make it About the Groom

While it's okay to include yourself in the stories, avoid making the stories primarily about you. The focus should be on the groom and, to a lesser extent, his partner. Avoid recounting stories where you are the main focus.

Keep it Appropriate

Avoid stories related to sexual topics, drugs, alcohol, illegal activities, or anything that might be considered offensive or embarrassing. Steer clear of mentioning the groom's past relationships or exes.

Structure Your Stories Well

Craft your stories with a beginning, middle, and end. Start from the beginning, don't get stuck on too many details, and aim for a shocking or funny ending. You can also use the "rule of three" by structuring your main points or jokes in groups of three.

Rehearse, Rehearse, Rehearse

Practise your speech, including the stories, multiple times to familiarise yourself with the content, timing, and flow. Practising will help you refine your delivery and boost your confidence.

How to talk about the couple's relationship

When it comes to talking about the couple's relationship, there are a few key points to keep in mind. Firstly, it's important to strike a balance between poking fun at the groom and praising him. While it's traditional for the best man to tease the groom gently, remember that this is his big day, and you don't want to embarrass him in front of all the guests. Instead, opt for friendly digs and always follow them up with praise and well-wishes.

Secondly, it's crucial to compliment the bride and express your approval of her. Highlight how happy the groom is and how much he's changed for the better since meeting her. You can also pay tribute to her efforts in organising the wedding and suggest how her influence has improved the groom. However, be careful to not make the bride the punchline of any jokes.

Thirdly, share stories and anecdotes that showcase the groom's positive attributes. Talk about his best qualities and relate them to the occasion. For example, if he's known for being smart, you could say something like, "Marriage is a major adjustment for everyone. Before today, as a smart single man, [groom's name] had all the answers. Now, as a married man, he has no idea!"

Finally, wish the couple all the best for their future together. This is your chance to show the groom and the guests why you were chosen to be the best man. End your speech with a heartfelt blessing, a toast, and well-wishes for a bright future.

How to end with a heartfelt toast

Ending your best man speech with a heartfelt toast is a great way to leave a lasting impression on the couple and the guests. Here are some tips on how to end with a bang:

Keep it Short and Sweet

Although you want your speech to be memorable, it's important not to ramble on for too long. Aim for a toast that is no more than five minutes, and ideally around three to four minutes. This will ensure that your message is concise and that the guests remain engaged.

Raise a Glass

Ask everyone to join you in raising their glasses to the happy couple. This is a traditional way to end your speech and signifies a communal celebration of the newlyweds. Hold your glass high and lead the guests in a cheer!

Express Well-Wishes

Take this opportunity to sincerely wish the couple a lifetime of happiness, love, health, and success. You can also include one final joke or a marriage quote from a movie or book that is meaningful to the couple. Whatever you choose, make sure it comes from the heart.

Thank the Wedding Party

It is customary to thank the wedding party and hosts for their contributions to the special day. Express your gratitude to the couple's parents for raising such wonderful people and, if applicable, for hosting a fantastic celebration. This is a thoughtful way to acknowledge the people who made the day possible.

Tie Back to Your Theme

If you started your speech with a particular theme or quote, try to bring it back around at the end. This will give your speech a sense of cohesion and leave a lasting impression on the audience. For example, if you began with a quote about friendship, end with the same quote but add how it applies to the couple's relationship.

Practice, Practice, Practice

Don't underestimate the power of practice! Rehearse your speech multiple times, either by yourself or in front of a trusted friend. The more you practice, the more confident and polished your delivery will be. This will help you feel more at ease when it comes time to give the toast.

Remember, the key to a heartfelt toast is sincerity. Speak from the heart, and your words will leave a lasting impression on the couple and the guests.

Frequently asked questions