Crafting The Perfect Best Man Poem: A Guide

A best man's poem is a creative and unique way to celebrate the groom and the bride. It is usually delivered as part of the best man's speech at the wedding reception. The poem can be a fun and heartfelt way to share stories about the groom, highlight his positive traits, and offer well-wishes for the couple's future.

Writing a best man's poem can be a daunting task, but with some preparation and creativity, it is definitely achievable. Here are some tips to help you get started:

- Start with a strong opening line that will grab the attention of your audience.

- Thank the couple for choosing you as the best man and express your honour and appreciation.

- Congratulate the couple on their marriage and wish them a happy future together.

- Share personal and entertaining stories about the groom, including funny anecdotes and touching moments.

- Compliment the bride and highlight her positive influence on the groom.

- Include a mix of humour and sentiment in your poem to create a well-rounded and engaging piece.

- Keep the poem concise and aim for a length of around 5-7 minutes to hold the audience's attention.

- Practice your delivery and consider memorising the key points to ensure a smooth performance.

Remember, the key to a successful best man's poem is to focus on the couple and celebrate their love and happiness. Good luck!

Keep it light-hearted and funny

If you're the best man and you want to give a light-hearted and funny speech, writing a humorous poem can be a great way to go about it. Here are some tips to help you keep your poem on the lighter, funnier side:

Choose a Funny Style: Select a poem structure that lends itself to humour. For instance, a limerick is inherently funny due to its light-hearted, whimsical nature and its bouncy rhythm and rhyme scheme. Alternatively, a humorous sonnet can be effective, especially if you twist the traditional romantic theme to focus on the groom or the couple.

Use Hyperbole: Exaggerate the truth to a humorous extent. For example, if the groom is known for his love of sleep, you could say, "He sleeps so soundly, we once feared him dead, but he just snores so loud, he clears the room instead."

Rhyming Humour: Use rhyme to create humour. For instance, if the couple is known for their love of cats, you could write, "Their love is so strong, it's like glue, and they even match their outfits, right down to their blue suede shoes (and whiskers too)."

Inside Jokes: Include inside jokes that the wedding party will understand. This could be an in-joke about the groom or a shared experience with the groomsmen. Just ensure it's appropriate and won't exclude too many people. For example, "We've been there through thick and thin, and that one time in Thailand, what happens on tour, stays on tour, lads!"

Self-Deprecating Humour: Make fun of yourself a little. It shows humility and can be a great way to connect with the audience. For instance, "I know you all wish it was me instead, but I'm afraid I lost that coin toss, and now I'm losing my bedfellow."

Remember, the key to keeping your poem light-hearted and funny is to focus on the positive, exaggerate for effect, and use rhyme and rhythm to your advantage.

Congratulate the couple

Congratulating the couple is a crucial part of the best man's speech. Here are some tips and examples to help you craft this section effectively:

Offer Congratulations:

Begin by offering sincere congratulations to the newlyweds. Express your happiness and best wishes for their future together. Here are some examples:

• "First and foremost, I want to congratulate Mark and Emma on their beautiful wedding. It's clear to everyone here how perfect you are for each other, and I couldn't be happier for both of you."
• "So, let's raise our glasses to Mark and Emma. Here's to a future filled with happiness, adventure, and all the love in the world. Cheers!"
• "I'd like you all to join me in wishing the new Mr and Mrs/Mr [Name] all the wealth, health, and happiness in the world. To the newlyweds!"

Share Personal and Entertaining Stories:

Recount light-hearted and funny anecdotes about the groom, showcasing his positive traits and the special bond you share. Here's an example:

"Mark and I have shared countless memories over the years, from our college days to the many adventures we've had. One of my favorite stories is when we went on a spontaneous road trip without any plans. We ended up getting lost, but Mark's positive attitude and sense of humor turned it into one of the best experiences of our lives."

Compliment the Bride:

Include kind words about the bride and highlight her positive influence on the groom. Here's an example:

"Emma, you truly bring out the best in Mark. Since meeting you, I've seen him grow into a more caring, thoughtful, and incredibly happy person. You complement each other so well, and it's wonderful to see how much joy you bring into each other's lives."

Balance Humor and Sentiment:

While humor is essential, don't forget to include a few heartfelt and emotional lines. Share a deep sentiment or a touching memory. For instance:

"We've had some great times together, and today is certainly one of the best. But beyond all the fun and laughter, there's a deep bond of friendship and trust that I cherish. Mark, you've been like a brother to me, and seeing you so happy today means the world to me."

Share a memorable story about the groom

Sharing memorable stories about the groom is an essential part of a best man's speech. Here are some tips and examples to help you craft this section of your speech:

Tips for Sharing Memorable Stories:

• Choose an appropriate story: Opt for a funny or touching story that showcases your unique bond with the groom. It could be a story from your college days, a spontaneous adventure, or a light-hearted anecdote that reveals the groom's positive qualities.
• Keep it short and sweet: While the story should be memorable, try to keep it concise. Aim for a story that is brief and entertaining, ensuring that it hasn't already been mentioned in other toasts.
• Include humour and sentiment: Infuse your story with a blend of humour and heartfelt emotion. This will create a dynamic speech that captures the joy and love of the occasion.

Examples of Memorable Stories:

Example 1:

> "Mark and I have shared countless memories over the years, from our college days to the many adventures we've had. One of my favourite stories is when we went on a spontaneous road trip without any plans. We ended up getting lost, but Mark's positive attitude and sense of humour turned it into one of the best experiences of our lives. That's the kind of person Mark is – always making the best out of any situation."

Example 2:

> "I've known Mark for many years, and one thing I admire about him is his ability to make every situation enjoyable. Like the time we got lost on a road trip and he turned it into an adventure. That's Mark for you – always positive and fun."

Example 3:

> "Believe it or not, it took a whole year for Alex and Julie to cross paths again after their first encounter. Apparently, Julie's pinch wasn't as powerful as she thought! But then came a fateful text from Julie, 'Do you remember me? We met at Buzz.' Alex, after some deep thought (and probably food), remembered. They met two weeks later, and Alex recalls the date vividly—not because of Julie, mind you, but because of the tuna steak he had at Weatherspoons. Priorities, right?"

Example 4:

> "Now, I have to say, the nerves got the better of Alex on that date. His hands were shaking so much that it took him an hour to eat his jacket potato. And, without his mum around to cut his food, it was a real challenge for him! But clearly, he got over those nerves, or we wouldn't be here today."

Example 5:

> "When Julie met Alex's parents, Fran and Andy, everything went well—until Andy, in his infinite wisdom, remarked after she left, 'Julie has big...eyes.' Phew, close one! Those big, brown eyes clearly made a lasting impression."

These examples can help guide you in crafting your own memorable stories about the groom. Remember to choose stories that showcase the groom's positive qualities, add a touch of humour, and keep the stories concise and engaging.

Compliment the bride

Her Qualities and Character

The bride is an extraordinary woman. She is resilient, fun-loving, and compassionate, always ready to lend a hand. She has a heart of gold and a killer sense of humour. She is smart as a whip, adventurous, and supportive. She is an absolute gem, and the groom is so lucky to have her.

Her Influence on the Groom

The bride has had such a positive influence on the groom. Since meeting her, he has become a more caring, thoughtful, and incredibly happy person. She brings out the best in him, and their love is a beautiful thing to witness. The groom has truly hit the jackpot with this amazing woman, and their future together looks bright.

Her Appearance

When the bride walked down the aisle, the whole room gasped. She looked absolutely breathtaking in her dress, like a real-life princess. Her smile lit up the room, and her happiness was contagious. She is stunning inside and out, and we are all so grateful to have her as part of our lives.

Her Family

I'd like to give a special shout-out to the bride's family, who have welcomed the groom with open arms. They are incredible people who have raised an incredible daughter. The bride's parents are so loving and supportive, and we are all better off for having them in our lives.

Her Efforts in Organising the Wedding

The bride has put so much time and effort into making this day perfect for everyone. Wedding planning is like taking on another full-time job, and she has handled it with grace and dedication. Her hard work and attention to detail have paid off, and we are all here to celebrate the love between the happy couple.

Offer well-wishes for the couple's future

As the best man, your speech is a significant part of the wedding festivities. It is a heartfelt and humorous celebration of the newlyweds, sharing memorable stories and offering well-wishes for their future.

"May your marriage be filled with love, laughter, and adventure. Cheers to a lifetime of happiness, adventure, and unconditional love."

"Here's to a lifetime of happiness, love, and laughter. May your love grow stronger with each passing day."

"To the happy couple, may your life together be a long, happy journey filled with joy and laughter."

"To the bride and groom, may your love be as timeless as the stars and as enduring as the mountains."

"Here's to a lifetime of beautiful memories and endless love."

"To the newlyweds, may your love story be as beautiful and enchanting as today."

"To the happy couple, may your life together be full of love, laughter, and endless happiness."

"Here's to a lifetime of happiness, love, and laughter."

"To the bride and groom, may your love grow stronger with each passing day."

"May your marriage be filled with more love than you can ever imagine."

"Here's to a lifetime of love, joy, and endless happiness for the newlyweds."

"To the newlyweds, may your love story be just as beautiful and enchanting as today."

"May your marriage be like a fine wine—better with age."

"Here's to the happy couple, may your life together be a long, happy journey filled with joy and laughter."

"To the bride and groom, may your love be as deep as the ocean and your troubles as light as the foam."

"To the happy couple, may your life together be full of love, joy, and endless happiness."

"Here's to a lifetime of happiness, love, and laughter."

"To the newlyweds, may your marriage be filled with love, laughter, and countless wonderful memories."

Frequently asked questions