Best Man's Guide To Thanking Bridesmaids In A Speech

It is customary for the best man to thank the bridesmaids in his speech. While this can be done quickly, it's an opportunity to inject some fun into the proceedings. It's important to keep it classy and avoid being creepy or lecherous. The bridesmaids are not your personal harem, so show respect and avoid objectifying them. Keep it brief and complimentary, and remember to be hilarious. You could say something like: How fantastic are our bridesmaids today? They look amazing, and they performed their role to perfection.

Keep it classy, brief, and complimentary

As the best man, you'll want to keep your speech classy, brief, and complimentary when thanking the bridesmaids. Here are some tips and examples to help you achieve that:

Keep it Classy

It's important to pay compliments to the bridesmaids, but it's a fine line between being respectful and being creepy. Avoid objectifying them or making jokes that could be considered lecherous or inappropriate. Remember, some of the bridesmaids may have their partners in the audience, so show respect and be mindful of your words.

Keep it Brief

You don't need to spend too much time thanking the bridesmaids. A short and sincere expression of gratitude will suffice. You can say something like, "I'd like to thank the bridesmaids for all their hard work today. I know that Sam and Kerry also organised the hen party, and by all accounts, it was a blast."

Keep it Complimentary

When complimenting the bridesmaids, focus on their contributions to the wedding, their friendship with the bride, or their inner beauty. Steer clear of comments that are overly focused on their physical appearance, especially if it would make you uncomfortable or if it could be seen as objectification. Instead, opt for words like "beautiful", "elegant", or "stunning" rather than anything that could be interpreted as inappropriate.

Here's an example of a classy, brief, and complimentary way to thank the bridesmaids:

"I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to the bridesmaids. Your support and presence here today have been invaluable. Your friendship and love for the bride are evident, and I know she is grateful to have you by her side. You all look radiant, and your efforts in making today so special haven't gone unnoticed. Thank you."

Remember, you can customise your speech to fit the bridesmaids' unique dynamics and your relationship with them. Just ensure you maintain a respectful and appreciative tone throughout.

Avoid being creepy or lecherous

As the best man, you are expected to thank the bridesmaids for their support and their role in the wedding. However, it is important to be mindful of the language you use to avoid coming across as creepy or lecherous. Here are some tips to help you navigate this aspect of your speech:

Choose Appropriate Words

Select words that veer towards beauty and elegance rather than sexuality. Words like "beautiful" and "elegant" are more appropriate than "stunning," "cute," or "gorgeous." Avoid commenting on specific body parts, as this will likely make the bridesmaids and other guests uncomfortable.

Be Respectful and Refrain from Objectification

Show respect to the bridesmaids and avoid treating them as objects of desire. Ensure that any jokes or compliments are self-deprecating and do not objectify the bridesmaids. For example, instead of saying, "Hands off, Dave! You've got yours! Leave some for the rest of us," shift the focus to something more lighthearted, such as, "But that's your lot now, Dave. It's only fair that us single guys get a look in."

Make Yourself the Butt of the Joke

If you want to add a touch of humour, direct the joke towards yourself rather than the bridesmaids. For instance, you could say something like, "How fantastic are our bridesmaids today? They look amazing, and they performed their role to perfection. As I was walking past them earlier, I heard them all talking about who will get to have the first dance with the best man later. 'You!' 'No! You!' 'No way!' It was all very touching. At least, that's how I'm reading it."

Keep It Classy and Brief

As the groom, you should also maintain a classy and respectful tone. Avoid making inappropriate comments about fancying your wife's friends or insinuating that they outshine her in any way. Keep your comments brief, classy, and complimentary. For example, "I'd like to echo what Gary said and thank Mel, Violet, Cathy, and Leah for not only helping my wife prepare for today but also making such a huge effort and looking so magnificent. Not that any effort was needed, mind. Unlike myself, who had to spend hours grooming, plucking, waxing, and scrubbing to bring myself up to the standard of your average dole queue."

Focus on Their Support and Friendship

If you are uncomfortable commenting on the bridesmaids' appearance, you can choose to focus on their support and friendship instead. For example, "And as for the bridesmaids, ladies, you've been a wonderful help to Amanda, and I know that if the brutally patriarchal wedding customs allowed it, she'd thank you herself. But they don't, so thank you from me instead."

Make it personal

Making your best man's speech personal is a great way to make it memorable. Here are some ideas on how to do that while thanking the bridesmaids:

Share a Story

A great way to make your speech personal is to share a story about the groom and the bridesmaids. It could be about how the groom and the bridesmaids first met, or a funny anecdote about their interactions. For example, you could say something like:

> "I remember when Joe first met Sarah and her bridesmaids. It was at a bar, and he was too nervous to approach them, so I had to push him to go and say hello. And now here we are today, celebrating their wedding!"

Mention Specific Names

Instead of a generic "thank you to the bridesmaids", make it more personal by mentioning each bridesmaid by name. This not only makes it more special for them but also shows that you put thought and effort into your speech. For example:

> "I want to thank Sarah, Emma, and Lily, our wonderful bridesmaids, for all their hard work and dedication. They have been an incredible support system for the bride, and their presence today has made this celebration even more special."

Add a Touch of Humour

Injecting some humour into your speech can make it more engaging and memorable. Share a light-hearted anecdote or a playful jab that will bring smiles to the audience's faces. Just be careful to keep it tasteful and appropriate. For example:

> "I'd like to thank the bridesmaids for their unwavering support and for keeping the bride sane during the wedding planning. I heard that there was a heated discussion about who would get to dance with the best man first. But don't worry, ladies, I'll be happy to dance with all of you!"

Express Gratitude for Their Contribution

Make your thanks sincere and heartfelt by acknowledging the specific contributions of the bridesmaids. Did they help with the hen party or provide emotional support to the bride? Mention those details to show your appreciation. For instance:

> "I want to extend a special thank you to the bridesmaids, Sarah, Emily, and Grace. They organised the most amazing hen party, complete with a 'fireman' who knew how to work a hose! Their dedication and hard work have made this day truly unforgettable."

Compliment Their Efforts

Another way to make your thanks meaningful is to compliment the bridesmaids on their efforts and how they've added to the wedding celebration. Be tasteful and respectful in your choice of words, focusing on their positive impact. Here's an example:

> "I want to express my sincere gratitude to the bridesmaids. Your presence today has enhanced the beauty and joy of this celebration. Thank you for your support and friendship towards the bride. You have truly gone above and beyond, and it has not gone unnoticed."

Be careful with jokes

As the best man, your speech is expected to be entertaining and funny. However, it's important to be careful with the jokes you choose to include. Avoid wedding 'jokes' and cheesy humour. Stay away from overused jokes, such as those about the cake "being in tiers" or honeymoons in Bangor. Instead, focus on creating original humour that is tailored to the couple and the audience.

When it comes to thanking the bridesmaids, it's crucial to strike a balance between paying a compliment and being creepy. Keep your comments general and non-specific, veering towards words that appreciate their beauty rather than sexuality. Avoid objectifying the bridesmaids and making them the focus of your jokes. Remember, some of them may have partners in the audience.

If you want to include a joke about the bridesmaids, make sure it's self-deprecating and doesn't cross the line into lewd territory. For example, you could say something like:

> "How fantastic are our bridesmaids today? They look amazing, and they performed their role to perfection. As I was walking past them earlier, I heard them all talking about who will get to have the first dance with the best man later. 'You!' 'No, you!' 'No way!' It was all very touching. Not one of them wanted to see their friends miss out. At least, that's how I'm reading it."

Or, if you want to include a light-hearted jab, you could mention the competitive nature of bridesmaids:

> "Also, it would be remiss of me not to thank the bridesmaids, who look wonderful and have performed their roles well, despite the well-known rivalry that tends to erupt between such ladies. In fact, just before the service, I overheard a furious sisterly argument about who was going to be first to dance with the Best Man. But ladies, this was all for nothing. [Father of the Bride] and I intend to buck tradition once and for all; we've been practicing the Foxtrot for months. Then you can all take a number and wait your turn."

Remember, the key is to keep your jokes tasteful, self-deprecating, and respectful of the bridesmaids. You want your speech to be memorable for all the right reasons!

Thank them for their hard work

Thanking the bridesmaids is an important responsibility of the best man. While it is not necessary to thank everyone, or to mention how lovely the venue is, it is important to thank the bridesmaids for their hard work. Here are some ideas on how to do this:

"Now it's my duty to thank the bridesmaids for all of their hard work today. I know that Sam and Kerry also organised the hen party. By all accounts, you had a great time in Blackpool, especially when a 'fireman' called Nick mysteriously appeared in the pub. Something about a magic hose, apparently. Is that right, girls? Sam, you've turned as red as a fire engine."

"I think you'll agree with me when I say that the reception so far has been absolutely tremendous. It's been a triumph of organisation, with absolutely no detail overlooked. So, a big thank you to the bridesmaids, who look wonderful and have performed their roles well. Despite the well-known rivalry which tends to erupt between such ladies, they put on a united front. In fact, just before the service, I overheard a furious sisterly argument about who was going to be first to dance with the best man. But ladies, this was all for nothing. Phillip (Father of the Bride) and I intend to buck tradition once and for all; we've been practicing the Foxtrot for months. Then you can all take a number and wait your turn."

"Thank you to both Ian and Liam for their kind words regarding the services of myself, my fellow groomsmen, and the bridesmaids this evening. You were correct, we have indeed done a bang-up job, and it feels good to receive validation of that fact. However, Liam, my friend, one thing I would say is that you could've gone much further with your compliments towards these beautiful young women. You could've called them sexy, ravishing, titillating, or jaw-dropping, but I respect the fact that you didn't. As a married man myself, I can see you've learned your place faster than I ever did. Well played, sir, well played."

"I'd like to echo what Gary said and thank Mel, Violet, Cathy, and Leah for not only helping my wife prepare for today but also making such a huge effort and looking so magnificent. Not that any effort was needed, mind. Unlike myself, who had to spend hours grooming, plucking, waxing, and scrubbing to bring myself up to the standard of your average dole queue."

"And as for the bridesmaids, well, ladies, you've been a wonderful help to Amanda, and I know that if the brutally patriarchal wedding customs allowed it, she'd thank you herself. But they don't, so thank you from me instead."

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