Crafting A Memorable Best Man Speech For Your Cousin

Being the best man at your cousin's wedding can be a daunting task, especially if you don't know the bride and groom well. The key to a successful best man's speech is to keep it warm, funny, and heartfelt. It should be personal and focus on the groom, with a few anecdotes about the bride and their relationship. As the cousin of the groom, you can share childhood memories and funny stories, reflecting on how your relationship has evolved over the years. Keep the tone light and authentic, and don't be afraid to poke fun at the groom gently. Remember to include a toast to the happy couple and wish them well. With a bit of preparation, you'll deliver a speech that will be remembered for years to come.

Thanking everyone for coming

Express Sincere Gratitude

Begin by directly expressing your appreciation for the presence of the guests. You can say something like, "Thank you all for being here today," or "It means so much to [cousin's name] and me that you could join us on this special day." This will make the guests feel valued and create a warm atmosphere.

Mention Family and Friends

Take the opportunity to acknowledge the people who have travelled far or made special arrangements to be there. You can say, A special thanks to those of you who travelled from [place] to be here. We are so glad you could make it." This will make those guests feel recognised and appreciated.

Highlight the Importance of the Occasion

After thanking the guests, emphasise the significance of the occasion. You can say something like, "It's not every day that we get to celebrate the marriage of my cousin [name] and [partner's name]. We are thrilled to have you all here to share in this joy." This will create a sense of unity and emphasise the importance of the guests' presence.

Connect to the Couple

Transition into talking about the couple by mentioning how happy they are to have everyone there. For example, "I know [cousin's name] and [partner's name] are so grateful to be surrounded by their loved ones today. Your presence means the world to them." This will create a personal connection between the couple and the guests, making the celebration even more meaningful.

Add a Touch of Humour

If appropriate, you can add a light-hearted joke or two to this section. For example, "I know [cousin's name] is delighted to see so many familiar faces here today. And for those he doesn't recognise, welcome to the family!" This will add a touch of humour and lighten the mood.

End with a Toast

Finally, end this section with a toast to the guests. Raise your glass and say something like, "Thank you all for being here. Let's raise a glass to the wonderful guests who have joined us today. To family, friends, and love!" This will be a memorable way to conclude your thanks and create a celebratory atmosphere.

Remember to adapt these ideas to fit your personality, relationship with your cousin, and the overall tone of the wedding celebration. Best of luck with your speech!

Saying how lovely the bride and bridesmaids look

Compliment the Bride's Appearance:

The bride has likely spent a lot of time and effort to look her best on her wedding day. As the best man, take a moment to acknowledge and compliment her stunning appearance. You can say something like:

> "When [Bride] first walked down the aisle, I swear the whole room gasped. She looks absolutely breathtaking in that dress – like a real-life princess. [Groom], I don't know how you managed to keep your cool up there. I would've been a blubbering mess!"

You can also mention how her smile lights up the room or how her happiness is contagious. These compliments will make the bride feel special and appreciated.

Acknowledge the Bride's Amazing Qualities:

Think about the things that make the bride unique and amazing. Is she kind, always ready to lend a helping hand? Does she have a great sense of humour or a heart of gold? Share specific examples and anecdotes that showcase her best qualities. For instance:

> "I've never met anyone as compassionate as [Bride]. She's always the first to offer help, whether you need a shoulder to cry on or a partner in crime for a wild adventure. And her wit – she can make even the most boring story hilarious. [Groom], you've hit the jackpot with this one!"

Compliment the Bridesmaids:

It is customary for the best man to respond to the toast to the bridesmaids. You can acknowledge their role in making the day special and compliment their appearance. Here's an example:

> "The bride and groom have asked me to make a special mention of the bridesmaids, who have been incredible. They were charming and added the perfect finishing touch to this fairy-tale wedding. They all look beautiful and have done an excellent job today. Thank you, bridesmaids, and congratulations to the happy couple!"

Share Embarrassing but Endearing Stories:

Sharing light-hearted and funny stories about the bride is a great way to showcase her incredible qualities. These stories can be about her kindness, thoughtfulness, or even her sense of adventure. For example:

> "I'll never forget the time [Bride] organised a surprise party for [Groom]'s birthday. She spent weeks planning every detail, from the guest list to the decorations. And on the day, she even managed to keep him distracted with a wild goose chase. The look on his face when he walked in and saw all of us? Priceless! That's just the kind of thoughtful and fun-loving person she is."

Remember, the key is to be genuine, clean, and practice your delivery. Your words will make the bride feel special and leave a lasting impression.

A brief description of how the couple met

As the best man, you'll want to kick off your speech by introducing yourself and explaining your connection to the couple. You could say something like:

> Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. My name is [your name], and I am [groom's name]'s cousin and best man.

Then, you can move on to sharing a brief description of how the couple met. Here are some ideas to get you started:

> I remember when [groom's name] first met [bride's name]. It was at a Halloween party, and I talked to him the next day. From the way he spoke about her, I could tell that there was a spark—and it was a special one.

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> [Groom's name] and [bride's name] met at a club called 'Room at the Top' in Bathgate. It was love at first sight, and the rest, as they say, is history!

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> Their eyes first met across the room at a mutual friend's party. Little did they know that this chance encounter would change their lives forever.

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> It was a typical [season] day when they first bumped into each other at [location]. Who knew that this random meeting would lead to the beautiful relationship we are celebrating today?

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> [Groom's name] and [bride's name] have such a unique love story. It all started when they were introduced by a mutual friend. It was hate at first sight, or so I'm told! But thankfully, they soon realized they were meant to be together.

Remember to keep this section brief, as you don't want to steal the groom's thunder. Focus on sharing a lighthearted and concise version of how the couple met, and try to include a few personal details to make your speech more engaging.

Read out some cards

One of the traditional duties of the best man is to read out cards and telegrams from guests who couldn't attend the wedding. However, announcing cash amounts is considered rude and insensitive. If you do decide to read out cards, make sure to omit any references to gifts or money.

> "To Colin, thanks for the weekends lazing by the pool. I do hope you've made the right choice. All my love, Michael Barrymore."

> "To Colin, don't forget us now you're married. Please renew your membership next year. Lots of love, All the girls at the Darlings Strip Club, Prague."

> "Linsey, you are up to the credit limit on your store card. Please make a payment immediately. That one's from Anne Summers."

If you want to include this section in your speech, make sure to keep it short and sweet. You could also add a bit of humour to keep the guests entertained.

Toast the bride and groom

Toast to the Bride and Groom

Ladies and gentlemen, I'd like to invite you all to stand and raise a glass to my cousin [name of groom] and his beautiful bride [name of bride].

The Couple

Today, we celebrate the union of two people who are perfect for each other. [Name of groom] and [name of bride] complement each other so well, and it's clear to see how happy they make each other. Their relationship is founded on true love and a deep friendship.

The Groom

[Name of groom], you are my cousin, my brother, my mentor, and my friend. I have always looked up to you and am so proud to stand here today as your best man. I've seen you grow and evolve as a person, and I know that your ambition and drive will continue to take you places. Your fast-paced life has always been so exciting, but I've noticed how [name of bride] has brought a sense of peace and love into your world, and for that, I am so grateful.

The Bride

[Name of bride], you are a fabulous woman. Your warm smile and limitless compassion brighten everyone's day. Thank goodness [name of groom] found you—you are the yin to his yang. I am so glad to welcome you into our family, and I know that together, you and [name of groom] will build a wonderful life filled with love and laughter.

So, please join me in toasting to the happy couple. May your marriage be filled with joy, adventure, and endless love. To [name of groom] and [name of bride]!

Frequently asked questions