Writing A Best Man Speech: Guide For Groomsmen

Being asked to be the best man at a wedding is a huge honour, but it also comes with a lot of responsibility. One of your main tasks will be to deliver a memorable speech that celebrates the groom, entertains the guests, and shows your support for the happy couple.

The best man's speech is an important part of the wedding reception. It's a chance for you to share stories and memories, and to express what the groom means to you. It can be an emotional moment for the couple and the guests, so it's worth putting in the time and effort to get it right.

- Write down all your thoughts, feelings, and memories about the groom. This will help you gather your ideas and ensure you don't forget anything important.

- Use a template as a guide. If you've never written a best man's speech before, it can be helpful to have a starting point. You can then add your own personality and experiences to make it unique.

- Include personal touches and stories about the groom. Share funny, heartwarming, or embarrassing experiences that show who the groom is and your relationship with him.

- Keep it concise. Aim for around 3-7 minutes, as shorter speeches tend to be better received.

- Practice your speech as much as possible. Rehearse it in front of a mirror or with trusted friends to refine your delivery and build your confidence.

- Calm your nerves before and during the speech. Take deep breaths, visualise yourself as a great speaker, and maybe have a drink or two to relax (but don't overdo it!).

- Connect with the audience. Maintain eye contact, speak clearly, and use hand gestures to engage the guests.

- Address the happy couple directly and wish them a happy future together.

- End with a toast. Ask everyone to raise their glasses and say something clever or simply to the couple.

How to start your best man speech

Being chosen as the best man for a wedding is an honour and a responsibility. Your speech is an important part of the wedding reception, and a chance to celebrate the groom, entertain the guests, and show your support for the happy couple. Here's how to start crafting a memorable best man speech.

Brainstorm

Start by writing out all your thoughts, feelings, and memories about the groom. This will help you get everything out and give you plenty of material to work with.

Use a Template

Most best men have never written a speech before, so it's normal to have no idea where to start. Using a template can give you a helpful starting point and an idea of what to include.

Opening and Closing Lines

The opening and closing lines of your speech will leave a lasting impression, so make them count. Find a compelling opening that grabs the audience's attention and sets the tone, and end with a memorable closing that ties back to the theme of your speech and expresses your well-wishes for the couple.

Share Stories

Share funny, heartwarming, or embarrassing stories about the groom. People are wired for stories, and it's the best way to keep the audience entertained and connected. Ask mutual friends if there are any great stories you might have forgotten.

Share What the Groom Means to You

Express what the groom means to you and why you were chosen to be the best man. Talk about how he's always had your back, gives great advice, or any number of other positive attributes.

Practice

Practice your speech as much as possible. Rehearse multiple times to familiarise yourself with the content, timing, and flow. Practising in front of a mirror or with a trusted friend can help you refine your delivery for a polished performance. Remember, the more you practice, the more confident you'll become.

How to structure your best man speech

Being asked to be the best man at a wedding is a huge honour, but it also comes with a lot of responsibility. One of the most important tasks you'll have is delivering a memorable best man's speech. This is your chance to celebrate the groom, entertain the guests, and show your support for the happy couple.

How to Start Crafting Your Best Man Speech

Before you begin, it's a good idea to write down all your thoughts, feelings, and memories about the groom. This will help you get everything out and ensure you don't forget anything important.

Using a Template as a Guide

Most best men have never written a speech before, so it's normal to have no idea where to start. Using a template can be a helpful starting point and give you an idea of what to include. However, make sure to add your own personality and experiences to make your speech unique.

Unique Opening and Closing Lines for Your Best Man Speech

The opening and closing lines of your speech will leave a lasting impression, so make them count! Find a compelling opening that grabs the audience's attention and sets the tone, and end with a memorable closing that ties back to the theme of your speech and expresses your well-wishes for the couple.

Adding Personal Touches to Your Best Man Speech

#### Share Stories About the Groom

People love stories, so share funny, heartwarming, or embarrassing anecdotes that show who the groom is and your relationship with him. Ask mutual friends if there are any great stories you might have forgotten.

#### Share What the Groom Means to You

Express the things you like about the groom and what he means to you. After all, there's a reason you were chosen to be the best man!

Tips for Delivering a Stellar Best Man Toast

#### Practice As Much as Possible

Practise your speech multiple times to familiarise yourself with the content, timing, and flow. Practising in front of a mirror or with a trusted friend can help you refine your delivery. Remember, the more you practise, the more confident you'll become.

#### Calming Yourself Before and During the Speech

You might feel nervous before giving the speech, but there are a few things you can do to calm your nerves. Take deep breaths, slow down, and visualise yourself as a great speaker. Having a drink or two might help, but be careful – this can also lead to disaster!

#### Connect with the Audience

Make sure to maintain eye contact, speak clearly, use hand gestures, and express your emotions genuinely. Even the best speech will lose its power if you're looking at the ground and mumbling.

#### Keep it Short and Sweet

There isn't usually a set time limit for speeches, but shorter is generally better. Aim for around 4-7 minutes, or 3-5 minutes if you're going for a shorter speech.

#### Address the Happy Couple and Wish Them Well

With all the fun stories and anecdotes, don't forget to talk directly to the couple and wish them a happy future.

#### Make the Toast

Finally, it's time for the toast! You can come up with something clever to say, or simply ask everyone to lift their glasses and say "to the couple."

How to personalise your best man speech

Being the best man at a wedding is an honour and a privilege, but it also comes with a great responsibility: the best man's speech. This is your chance to celebrate the groom, entertain the guests, and show your support for the happy couple. Here are some tips to help you craft a memorable and personalised best man speech:

• Share stories about the groom: Think of funny, heartwarming, or embarrassing experiences that showcase the groom's personality and your relationship with him. Ask mutual friends if you need help remembering any good stories.
• Share what the groom means to you: Express why you were chosen to be the best man by talking about your past together and what he means to you.
• Add personal touches: Include inside jokes, quotes, or references that are meaningful to the groom and your friendship.
• Make it meaningful: While humour is important, don't forget to add sincerity and well-wishes for the couple. Talk about how the groom has changed since meeting the bride and what she means to him.
• Keep it concise: Aim for a speech that is around 3-7 minutes long. This will help maintain the audience's attention and ensure your speech is memorable.
• Practise: Rehearse your speech multiple times to refine your delivery and build confidence. Practising in front of a mirror or with trusted friends can help.
• Calm your nerves: It's normal to feel nervous before giving a speech. Take deep breaths, visualise yourself as a confident speaker, or have a drink or two to relax (but don't overdo it!).
• Connect with the audience: Maintain eye contact, use hand gestures, and speak clearly and enthusiastically to engage the guests.

How to deliver your best man speech

The best man's speech is a chance to celebrate the groom, entertain the guests, and show your support for the happy couple. Here are some tips to help you deliver a memorable and impactful speech:

Know your audience

Be mindful of the wedding atmosphere and the guests present when selecting the tone and content of your speech. Keep the content classy and relatable to all ages. Avoid inside jokes that may alienate people, and steer clear of embarrassing secrets or stories about the groom's ex-girlfriends.

Keep it concise

Aim for a length of 3-7 minutes. A shorter speech will leave the audience wanting more, while a longer one may cause them to lose interest or delay the wedding festivities.

Balance humour with sincerity

Depending on the vibe of the wedding, you can opt for a lighthearted roast, a sentimental tribute, or a mix of both. However, remember to keep it classy and tasteful. Share funny, heartwarming, or embarrassing stories about the groom, but ensure they are appropriate and won't cause any discomfort.

Practice extensively

Rehearse your speech multiple times to familiarise yourself with the content, timing, and flow. Practising in front of a mirror or with friends can help refine your delivery. The more you practice, the more confident you will become.

Calm your nerves

It is normal to feel nervous before delivering your speech. Taking deep breaths and slowing down can help relax you. Visualising yourself as a confident speaker can also boost your self-assurance. However, be cautious if you choose to have a drink or two to calm your nerves, as this can sometimes lead to disaster.

Connect with the audience

Maintain eye contact, speak clearly, use hand gestures, and express your emotions genuinely. Even the best speech will fall flat if you're looking at the ground and mumbling.

Address the couple directly

With all the fun stories and anecdotes, don't forget to speak directly to the couple. Towards the end of your speech, look at them, express your well-wishes, and make the toast.

How to end your best man speech

Ending your best man speech with a toast to the newlyweds is a great way to round off the speech. Here are some tips on how to end your best man speech:

Keep it Short and Sweet

Although you might be tempted to go on and on about the couple, it is best to keep the speech concise and to the point. Aim for sincerity over length. A good rule of thumb is to keep your speech under 10 minutes, and preferably closer to 3.

Include a Call to Action

If you are giving a toast, include a call to action at the end, such as "Now let's raise our glasses to Alex and Sam!". This will encourage the guests to join in and celebrate the newlyweds.

Be Brief and Snappy

Your toast should be short and snappy, with a clear message. Avoid rambling and stick to the point you are trying to make.

End on a Positive Note

Make sure to end your speech on a positive note that celebrates the newlyweds and their future together. Wish them all the best and offer your congratulations.

Use a Quote

Using a quote can be a powerful way to end your speech and leave a lasting impression on the guests. Look for quotes about love and marriage that are less commonly used to make your speech more unique.

Tie Back to an Earlier Joke or Story

If you told a funny story or joke earlier in your speech, you can call back to it at the end to provide a satisfying conclusion. This will leave the guests with a smile on their faces and a good final impression.

Thank the Hosts and Guests

It is always a good idea to show gratitude and thank the hosts and guests for being a part of the special day. This is a polite way to begin your speech and set a positive tone.

"So here's to [Groom's Name], the only man I know who can turn up late to his own wedding rehearsal — but who, thankfully, showed up right on time when it mattered most. And to [Partner's Name], for agreeing to put up with him! To love, laughter, and happily ever after. Cheers!"

"Here's to [Groom's Name], the man who still thinks 'Netflix and chill' means watching Netflix... and to [Partner's Name], who loves him anyway. May your marriage be filled with laughter, love, and slightly better communication! Cheers!"

"To the happy couple — may your love be as enduring as [Groom's Name]'s legendary hangovers, and may your life together be filled with adventure, joy, and slightly fewer tequila shots. Cheers!"

"Please join me in raising a glass to the happy couple — to [Name] and [Name]."

"I'd like you all to join me in wishing the new Mr and Mr/Mrs [Name] all the wealth, health and happiness in the world. To the newlyweds!"

"To my best friend and his beautiful partner: the new Mr and Mrs/Mr [Name]."

Frequently asked questions