Crafting A Memorable Best Man Speech: Guide To Storytelling

Being asked to be the best man at a wedding is a tremendous honour, but it's also a role that comes with a number of important responsibilities. One of the big tasks you'll have is giving a memorable speech. It's a chance to celebrate the groom, entertain the guests, and show your support for the happy couple.

The best man's speech traditionally follows the groom's speech and may or may not follow the maid of honour's toast. It's a chance to say some kind words about your relationship with the couple and your best friend. Wedding speeches are meant to be quick, lighthearted moments during the reception, so while you should spend time crafting thoughtful words, you don't have to overthink it.

- Start by writing down all your thoughts, feelings and memories about the groom.

- Use a template as a guide to help you structure your speech.

- Include a unique opening and closing line that leaves a lasting impression.

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

- Express what the groom means to you and why you were chosen to be the best man.

- Practice your speech as much as possible to build confidence.

- Keep your speech positive and avoid jokes at the couple's expense.

- Focus on the couple rather than your relationship with the groom.

- Stay true to yourself and your usual demeanour.

- Don't rely solely on humour – it's okay to share how you feel.

Icebreakers and jokes

• A topical icebreaker can be a great way to start your speech. Choose a recent news story and link it to the wedding. For example, "I read an article this week about how a number of brides these days are reluctant to take the groom's surname. I know this certainly caused a bit of a stir at the recent wedding of my mate Dave Hitler".
• Avoid controversial topics such as politics, negative stories, and stories that are already amusing.
• Keep your jokes light-hearted and friendly. Avoid edgy or controversial humour.
• You can make a joke about your own unpreparedness, such as "I've been worried about giving this speech for a while now. Fortunately, last night I slept like a baby – I woke up crying every two hours."
• If you are the second best man, you can make a joke about being "second best".
• If the groom is known for always wearing the same jumper or shirt, you can get the photographic evidence out and show the guests.
• You can also roast the groom playfully, but always keep it respectful. For example, you can share a story about how he always ended up in detention in school or how he has a ridiculous car.
• If you are a brother of the groom, you can make a joke about how you felt when your baby brother usurped your spot as the number one priority.
• Avoid overdone best man jokes, such as "It's an emotional wedding, even the cake is in tiers".
• Keep your jokes and icebreakers brief and to the point.

Introducing yourself

The best man speech is an important part of the wedding reception. It is your chance to celebrate the groom, entertain the guests, and show your support for the happy couple. It is also your opportunity to share your relationship with the groom and for others to learn more about him.

The first step in your best man speech is to introduce yourself. Share your name and how you met the groom. This will help establish your connection to everyone in the room, especially those who may not know you well. You could also describe how long you have known each other and perhaps share a humorous tale about your first encounter.

> "Welcome everyone, my name is [X] and I've known [groom] since we were kids. [Groom] hates it when I take all the attention away from them, so as a mark of respect, please don't stand on the tables and chairs when you give me a standing ovation at the end of the speech."

> "Hello everyone, I'm [X] and I've been best friends with [groom] for the past 15 years. For those of you that already know me – I apologise – for those that don't, don't listen to any of the rumours!"

> "Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen, for those who of you I haven't had the pleasure of meeting yet, my name is Chris and I am officially Paul's second best man...second best ladies and gentlemen...nobody likes to be second best do they? Well, Paul, looking at his career, he should know better than most..."

> "Good evening ladies and gentlemen before I begin I’d just like to introduce myself: my name is Chris and it is my very great honour and privilege to be the first of Mark’s two Best Man…we had to split it…46 years is quite a long time to cover all in one go!"

> "Good evening Ladies and Gentlemen, over the next few minutes we’ll be talking about the man for whom Scottish Independence now means asking his English wife if he can go to the pub at the weekend."

> "Over the next few minutes I’ll be taking you on the rollercoaster ride that has been Sean’s life to date, and there are some amazing stories; like the time he was playing A ball with David Cameron in Mexico and his dog ate the Prime Minister’s guinea pig and he had to sell my passport to repair his own nose…actually I’ve known Sean 30 years…I might have muddled a few things up there..."

Tips for Introducing Yourself

• Keep it light, fun, and heartfelt.
• Aim for a "quick win" by getting the audience laughing as soon as possible.
• Set the tone and achieve a "quick win" by getting the audience laughing as soon as possible.
• Share a brief personal story involving the groom.
• If you are two best men making a joint speech, introduce yourselves together.

Reading out messages

The couple may ask you to read out messages and telegrams from guests who can't be there on the day. This is a lovely gesture that will be meaningful to some people in the room. It can also be a chance to add a surprise or something funny to the mix. For example, you could get an old teacher to write a note, or a fun message from the landlord at their local pub.

You could also put in some fake messages that will bring a laugh from the guests. For instance, you could say that Channing Tatum sends his apologies for not turning up, as it was too hard to watch 'the one that got away'. Or, you could have a note from the police, stating that they need a new statement of events from the stag do.

Other Things to Include in Your Best Man Speech

• A light-hearted icebreaker or a well-chosen joke
• An introduction of yourself and your friendship with the groom
• Stories and anecdotes about the groom and the couple
• Words of wisdom or advice for the newlyweds
• Compliments for the partner
• Acknowledgement of the bridal party
• A final toast to the couple

Sharing stories and anecdotes

• Choose one or two anecdotes to share. You don't want to ramble on for too long, so keep your stories lighthearted and short.
• Make sure your stories have a clear beginning, middle, and end. This will help your audience follow along and ensure your point comes across effectively.
• Include details and descriptions to make your stories come alive. Paint a picture for your audience and transport them into the moment.
• Use humour appropriately. It's okay to poke fun at the groom, but avoid embarrassing or humiliating him. Keep your jokes light and friendly.
• Be respectful and tasteful in your story choices. Avoid stories that involve drugs, excessive drinking, or adult humour.
• Practice your storytelling. Rehearse your speech in front of a mirror or with a trusted friend to refine your delivery and work on your body language.

"I remember when we first met in first grade. [Groom's Name] had just glued his hand to his face but still used his free one to shake my hand and ask if I wanted to be his friend."

"There weren't many highlights to being on minimum wage in the frozen section of the supermarket, but one memorable moment was when [Groom's Name] was asked to dispose of a 2-litre tub of chocolate ice cream. He decided to empty it into the staff toilets, which gave the next person who went in there the wrong idea. From then on, people either thought he had dodgy guts or ate on the toilet—both of which were true!"

"I first met [Groom's Name] when we attended the University of Texas and pledged a fraternity together. It was there, among the upside-down beer bongs, ritual humiliation, and complete lack of sleep, that I knew I had met a friend for life. When you discover your new buddy is packing his dad's credit card with no limit, who wouldn't want him as a friend for life?"

Remember, the key to successful storytelling is to be engaging, entertaining, and respectful. Keep your stories appropriate and tasteful, and always rehearse beforehand to ensure a smooth delivery.

Offering advice and compliments

The best man's speech is a chance to offer some light-hearted and meaningful advice to the newlyweds, as well as to pay tribute to the groom and his partner. Here are some tips for this section of your speech:

Give some heartfelt advice

It's customary for the best man to offer some advice to the newlyweds. This could be in the form of golden rules for a happy marriage, or tips on love, compromise and everyday living. You could ask married friends or family members for their words of wisdom, or draw on advice from famous couples in movies or TV shows. For example:

> "To love each other, even when we hate each other. No running – ever. Nobody walks out no matter what happens. Take care when old, senile, smelly. This is forever."

Pay tribute to the groom

As well as being a chance to roast the groom, your speech should also include a genuine tribute to him. Remember, at a straight wedding, the groom won't usually have anyone else paying him compliments, so it's your job to do so. Bonus points if you can make him cry! Be sure to highlight his best qualities and the things you like about him. For example:

> " [Groom's name] is a great friend, the best I've got, and I'm very proud to stand by his side today."

Pay a decent tribute to his partner

It's important to compliment the groom's partner, and this should sound sincere. Do your research if you don't know them well, and try to be specific and avoid clichés. For example, you could mention how they've influenced the groom, or any positive changes they've made to his life. You could also compliment their skills, such as their ability to put up a tent or cook a great meal. Be original, but remember to include at least one cliché – all brides look beautiful!

Raise a toast to the couple

Your speech should end with a toast to the newlyweds. Try to tie this in with a theme or story that you've already established in your speech. For example:

> "Here's to a lifetime of dancing on tables together."

Keep it short

Best man speeches should be kept short and sweet – aim for around 5-10 minutes. This will help to keep your speech fun and engaging, and ensure that you don't lose the attention of your audience.

Frequently asked questions