Crafting A Heartfelt Wedding Speech For Your Best Friend

Writing a wedding speech for your best friend can be daunting, but with the right tips and guidance, you'll be able to deliver a speech your friend will be proud of. The key is to make it unique and special, reflecting the bond you share. Introduce yourself to the audience and explain your relationship with the couple. Share heartfelt anecdotes, express your joy for the newlyweds, and offer sincere wishes for their future. You can also include light-hearted jokes and end with a celebratory toast. Typically, a best friend's speech is between 3 to 7 minutes long.

Introduce yourself and explain your relationship with the couple

Good evening everyone! For those of you who don't know me, I am [name]. I am the [best friend/maid of honour/best man] of the [bride/groom]. I am so honoured to be here today and to be [name]'s friend.

I first met [name of bride/groom] [number] years ago when [how you met]. We [shared experience/funny anecdote]. Since then, we have been through [shared experiences/funny anecdotes]. I also met [name of partner] [number] years ago when [how you met]. We [shared experience/funny anecdote].

[Name of bride/groom] is [compliment/heartfelt statement]. They are [compliment/heartfelt statement]. I am so proud of them for [taking this next step/finding their soulmate/etc.]. I am so happy for them and [name of partner] and I wish them a lifetime of [hopes for their future].

Share heartfelt anecdotes and memories

Sharing heartfelt anecdotes and memories is a great way to make your best friend's wedding speech meaningful and engaging. Here are some tips and examples to help you craft this section of your speech:

Reflect on Your Friendship

Think about the moments and experiences that have shaped your friendship. This could include funny stories, inside jokes, or even challenging times you've been through together. For example:

> "I met Marysia in the underground car park of a Surfers Paradise hotel. 'Murder on the Dancefloor' was playing on the radio. It was clearly a very classy moment. What followed included tequila shots, a game of Never Ever, and an unforgettable trip to the McDonald's bathroom."

Highlight Their Positive Attributes

Share stories or anecdotes that showcase your friend's unique qualities. Talk about their kindness, their sense of humour, their loyalty, or any other traits that make them special. For instance:

> "Vikki and I met in year 10 science class while we were running away from Mark trying to slap us with rulers. School was definitely a learning curve for Vikki and me. We had some amazing times and holidays when we weren't getting ourselves into trouble."

Share Joyful Memories

Recall moments when your friend was particularly happy or joyful. This could be related to their relationship with their partner, a fun vacation, or a shared experience. For example:

> "I have seen the joy you both bring, not only to each other, but to the friends and family you choose to surround yourselves with. I know I speak on behalf of the whole bridal party when I say what an amazing privilege it was to stand beside you as you vowed to spend your lives together."

Include Inside Jokes (Cautiously)

Inside jokes can add a personal touch to your speech, but be careful to choose ones that are appropriate and won't go over the guests' heads. For instance, you could say something like:

> "You know how your friend is always there for you when you need them? Well, I can tell you that this friend has helped me smuggle an entire cheesecake into our dorm room without getting caught. Now that's a true friend!"

Offer Sincere Gratitude

Express your gratitude for having your friend in your life and share how they have impacted you. For example:

> "Thank you for being the kind of friend who always knows how to make me laugh, even when I'm feeling down. Your enthusiasm for life is truly inspiring, and your advice has helped me in so many ways. I don't know where I'd be without you."

Remember, when sharing anecdotes and memories, it's important to keep your speech positive and appropriate for the occasion. Avoid bringing up embarrassing or sensitive topics that might make your friend or the guests uncomfortable. Keep your stories light-hearted and focus on celebrating your friend and their partner.

Offer advice and well-wishes for the future

As the best friend of the [bride/groom], you have a unique perspective on their life and the journey that has led them to this moment. In this section of your speech, you can offer some words of wisdom for their future together as a married couple. Here are some ideas to get you started:

"As someone who has known [bride/groom] for many years, I can say with certainty that they are a kind, generous, and loving person. I know that they will bring these qualities and more to their marriage. [Bride/Groom], always remember to..."

"My wish for you both is that your love continues to grow and deepen over the years. Remember to make time for each other, to support each other through life's challenges, and to always find joy in the little moments. May your love be modern enough to survive the times and old-fashioned enough to last forever."

"Marriage is a beautiful journey, and I know that [bride/groom] is lucky to have found their perfect partner in [groom/bride]. My advice to you both is to always communicate openly, to make each other laugh, and to never forget the reasons why you fell in love. May your love be endless, your laughter be infectious, and your journey together be full of joy."

"Today, I stand here as the best friend of the [bride/groom], and I couldn't be happier for them. As they begin this new chapter of their lives, I wish them all the love, happiness, and adventure that marriage has to offer. Remember to always lift each other up, to be each other's calm in the storm, and to cherish every moment together."

"To the happy couple—may your love be a source of strength, joy, and laughter. May you always find comfort and support in each other's arms, and may your marriage be filled with all the blessings that life has to offer. Remember to always be each other's best friend, confidant, and biggest cheerleader."

Raise a toast to the couple

There are many ways to raise a toast to the couple and it is a great way to round off your message to the newlyweds. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Traditional Toasts

These toasts have been used for centuries and are a great way to wish the couple a bright future. They are typically sentimental and are usually blessings or proverbs.

• "Here’s to the past, for all that you’ve learned. Here’s to the present, for all that you share. Here’s to the future, for all that you’ve got to look forward to."
• "May your wedding days be few and your anniversaries many."
• "May your joys be as deep as the ocean, and your troubles as light as its foam."
• "May your love always be added. May it never be subtracted. May your household multiply and may your hearts never be divided!"

Funny Toasts

If the couple likes cracking jokes, a funny toast might be more fitting. These are a great way to lighten the mood and get a laugh out of the guests.

• "May all your ups and downs come only in the bedroom."
• "May our children be blessed with rich parents!"
• "Here’s to you and here’s to me, I hope we never disagree, But if, perchance, we ever do, Then here’s to me, to hell with you."
• "Congratulations on the termination of your isolation and may I express an appreciation of your determination to end the desperation and frustration which has caused you so much consternation in giving you the inspiration to make a combination to bring an accumulation to the population."

Sentimental Toasts

If the couple is more on the romantic side, a sentimental toast might be the way to go. These toasts are a great way to tug at the heartstrings of the couple and the guests.

• "A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person." — Mignon McLaughlin
• "Love has nothing to do with what you are expecting to get—only with what you are expecting to give—which is everything." — Katharine Hepburn
• "Being married is like having somebody permanently in your corner. It feels limitless, not limited." — Gloria Steinem
• "There is only one happiness in life: To love and be loved." — George Sand
• "The best thing to hold onto in life is each other." — Audrey Hepburn

Remember, the key to a great toast is to keep it short and sweet, and always practise beforehand!

Practice beforehand and be confident

Practising your speech beforehand is key to feeling confident when the time comes to deliver it. Author and professional speaker Barry Maher recommends getting to a point where you can remember the points you want to make and the order in which you want to make them. This way, you can look out at the crowd and make eye contact with your audience.

Practising your speech will also help you to identify any distracting mannerisms, such as verbal pauses like 'um', 'uh' and 'like'. Practising in front of a mirror will also help you to notice your facial expressions, eye contact and hand positions.

It's a good idea to record yourself practising your speech. This can be uncomfortable, but it will help you to identify any areas that need improvement. Practising in front of someone else can also help with this, as a second opinion can help you craft a stronger speech.

Although it may be tempting, try to avoid alcohol before your speech. It may cause you to slur your words and forget your lines, so it's best to wait until after your speech to celebrate.

A little bit of nervousness can actually liven up your speech. Trying to make yourself a little tense can help to get your energy levels up. However, it's important to harness that energy and communicate it in a positive, genuine way.

Remember, the audience wants your speech to go well. They are sufficiently good friends with the bride and groom to have been invited to the wedding, so they have a personal stake in your speech going well. You have nothing to worry about!

Frequently asked questions