A Christian Best Man Speech: Guide To Writing

Being chosen as the best man at a wedding is an honour that comes with great responsibility. One of the main tasks is to give a memorable speech. It's a chance to celebrate the groom, entertain the guests, and show your support for the happy couple. A great best man speech is dependent on creativity and a wide outline. It should be short and simple, lasting no more than 5 to 10 minutes. It should also be tailored to the type of audience you'll be speaking to.

The Christian best man speech may be a little stiff, but with a little creativity, it can be the best speech ever made. You can give advice drawn from the Bible, which is beneficial to a Christian gathering. You will also gain more knowledge about love, the godly way, even as you say them.

Keep it concise: Aim for 3-7 minutes

Keeping your speech concise is one of the most important things to consider when writing a best man speech. The ideal length of a best man speech is between 3 and 7 minutes. You want to keep the guests wanting more instead of boring them with a long-winded speech. A short and concise speech will also help you to avoid rambling and losing the attention of your audience.

• Start writing early: Give yourself plenty of time to write and practice your speech. This will allow you to refine your content and delivery, and ensure that your speech stays within the desired time frame.
• Outline your speech: Create a basic structure for your speech by outlining the key points you want to cover. This will help you stay focused and prevent you from going off on tangents.
• Focus on the couple: Keep the speech centred on the bride and groom. Avoid spending too much time talking about yourself or other topics that are not directly related to the couple.
• Be selective with your stories: Choose one or two meaningful or funny stories to share about the groom, rather than trying to fit in too many anecdotes.
• Keep introductions and conclusions brief: Your introduction and conclusion should be short and engaging. A concise introduction will help you hook your audience's attention, and a brief conclusion will leave a lasting impression.
• Practice, practice, practice: The more you practice your speech, the more comfortable you will become with the material. This will help you to deliver your speech confidently and efficiently, ensuring that it stays within the desired time frame.

Open with a joke or a quote

Opening with a Joke

Being the best man is a huge honour, but it also means you've got to give a killer speech. A great way to start is with a joke. This will help you relax and will also relax the mood for your audience.

• Make sure the joke is appropriate for all ages and backgrounds. Avoid anything that could be deemed offensive, discriminatory, or vulgar.
• Tailor the joke to the couple's personalities, experiences, and inside jokes.
• Practice your timing and delivery.
• Avoid jokes about past relationships, financial issues, or personal insecurities.
• "For those who don't know me, I'm the best man. For those who do know me, I apologise in advance."
• "I've been so nervous about this speech that I haven't been able to properly enjoy the past eight glasses of champagne."
• "They say public speaking is one of people's biggest fears, right after death. Which means that right now, most of you would rather be in the casket than giving this speech."
• "When [Groom] asked me to be his best man, I was thrilled. When he asked me to keep it clean, I was devastated."
• "I've been told to keep this speech like a mini-skirt: long enough to cover the essentials, but short enough to keep everyone's attention."
• "Marriage is when a man loses his bachelor's degree and earns a master's."
• "I'll try to keep my speech short, because every extra minute I speak is an extra minute's delay in witnessing how the Groom's dance lessons worked out."
• "I had an extremely difficult time cutting this speech down to a reasonable length. In fact, at one point, it ran to over an hour and fifteen minutes. In the end, I've come up with a compromise. I'll read you the five-minute-long version. Straight after that, I'll do the unabridged one, and you can decide which you liked best."

Opening with a Quote

If you'd prefer to open your speech with a quote, here are some tips and examples:

• Keep it short.
• Choose a quote that is meaningful and not too cliché.
• "Giving a best man speech is a choice. And, these two people have clearly chosen [each other]!"
• "The greatest gift of life is friendship, and I have received it." - Hubert Humphrey
• "There is nothing on this earth more to be prized than true friendship." - Thomas Aquinas.
• "Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another: 'What! You too? I thought I was the only one." - AA Milne.
• "Think where man's glory most begins and ends, and say my glory was I had such friends." - WB Yeats.

Introduce yourself and your relationship with the groom

Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen, for those of you who I haven't met yet, my name is [Your Name], and I am [Your Relationship to Groom]. I first met [Groom] [Number] years ago, when [Explain how you met]. Since then, we have shared countless memories together, from [Example Memory 1] to [Example Memory 2], and [Groom] has become one of my closest friends.

I remember when [Share a funny or heartwarming memory]. Another time, [Share another memory]. [Groom] has always been there for me, and I know that he will continue to be a loyal and supportive friend for many years to come.

[Groom] is a truly special person. He is [Share some of Groom's positive personality traits], and he has always been [Share examples of Groom's selflessness or thoughtfulness]. I know that he will make an excellent husband to [Bride] because [Explain why].

I am so happy that [Groom] has found his soulmate in [Bride], and I can see how happy she has made him. I wish them both all the best for their future together and am excited to see what life has in store for this wonderful couple.

Thank the guests, wedding party, and parents

Thanking the guests, wedding party, and parents is an important part of a best man's speech. Here are some tips and examples to help you craft this section of your speech:

Thanking the Guests

It is polite to express your gratitude towards the guests for attending the wedding, especially those who may have travelled long distances. You can also thank them for making the event possible and contributing to the wedding celebrations. Here are some examples of how to thank the guests:

• "Thank you all for taking the time to be here today and celebrate this special occasion with us. We are so grateful for your presence and well-wishes."
• "To those who travelled near and far to be here today, we are honoured by your presence. We hope you are enjoying the festivities and thank you for your support."
• "On behalf of the happy couple, I want to extend our deepest gratitude to all of you for joining us today. Your presence means a lot to them, and we hope you are having a wonderful time."

Thanking the Wedding Party

The wedding party often includes the bridesmaids, groomsmen, ushers, and anyone else who played a significant role in the wedding preparations or ceremony. It is thoughtful to acknowledge their dedication, hard work, and support leading up to and on the wedding day. Here are some ways to thank the wedding party:

• "I want to give a special thanks to the bridesmaids and groomsmen, who have been incredible throughout this journey. Your dedication and support have made this day even more special. We truly appreciate everything you have done."
• "A big thank you to the bridesmaids, who have been by the bride's side every step of the way. Your friendship, love, and hard work have contributed to making this day so memorable. We are forever grateful."
• "I'd like to thank the groomsmen, who have been an incredible source of support for the groom. Your presence and participation in the wedding festivities have added to the joy of this occasion. We appreciate your dedication and friendship."

Thanking the Parents

The parents of the bride and groom deserve a special mention for their contribution to the wedding and their role in raising the newlyweds. Here are some examples of how to express your gratitude:

• "To the parents of the bride and groom, thank you for your love, guidance, and support in making this day possible. Your generosity and hospitality have added to the joy of this celebration."
• "We are forever grateful to the parents of the bride and groom for their unwavering support and love. Your contribution to this day has been invaluable, and we thank you for all that you have done to make it so special."
• "A special thanks to the parents of the bride and groom, who have raised two incredible individuals. Your dedication, love, and support have shaped them into the people they are today. We are honoured by your presence and contribution to this celebration."

Share a story about the groom

Sharing stories about the groom is a great way to keep the audience entertained and connected. Here are some tips and examples to help you craft this section of your Christian best man speech:

Share Funny, Heartwarming, or Embarrassing Stories

Recount a story that showcases the groom's personality and your unique relationship with him. It can be a humorous, heartwarming, or embarrassing experience that your friend will allow you to share with the guests. For instance, you can talk about how you met, memorable college experiences, or funny childhood events.

Ask Mutual Friends for Stories

If you're struggling to think of stories, consider asking mutual friends. They may be able to remind you of some great stories worth sharing that you might have forgotten.

Talk About How the Groom Has Impacted Your Life

Share how the groom has impacted your life and what he means to you. You can talk about how he's always had your back, gives great advice, or any other qualities that make him a great friend or brother.

You can talk about the groom's quirks, hobbies, or interests in a lighthearted and humorous way. For example, if he has a lot of hobbies, you can say something like, "Kayaking, tennis, 5k running, model airplane building, fixing sinks... is there anything you can't do?

Talk about how the groom has grown and changed for the better since meeting his wife. You can share a story that highlights the positive influence she has had on him.

Has the groom ever gone out of his way to help someone in need? Share a story that showcases his kindness, selflessness, or how he has impacted the lives of others.

Share a Story About a Challenging Time and How the Groom Supported You

Talk about a difficult period in your life and how the groom was there for you. This will show the groom's loyalty, compassion, and the strength of your friendship.

Remember to keep your stories concise, entertaining, and appropriate for the audience, which may include children and grandparents. Avoid inappropriate jokes or stories that might embarrass the groom or his bride.

"I remember when Steve and I wound up getting kicked out of Macy's for having a perfume fight."

"I remember when he came to my house when we found out about Mom's car accident. He wanted to be the first person to make sure I was OK."

"I remember when we used to fight over who got to play StarFox in Super Smash Brothers!"

"I remember when he went to Italy, and we didn't talk for a whole year, but when he came home, he gave me the biggest hug."

"I remember the first time he called me from college and told me he was nervous and scared to be away from home. We made a pact to call each other every other day, and we still do."

Frequently asked questions