Last-Minute Best Man Speech: Guide To Quick, Memorable Words

Writing a best man's speech can be daunting, especially if you're short on time. The key to writing a good last-minute speech is to remain calm and keep things simple. Focus on the groom and his positive qualities, and how his partner has impacted him. If you're close to the couple, you can share a short, positive anecdote about them. Keep your speech concise, sincere, and light-hearted. Avoid embarrassing stories or generic quotes. With a clear structure, a simple message, and some practice, you can deliver a memorable speech, even at the last minute.

Keep it concise

Whether you've been appointed the best man or you're the groom himself, writing a speech at the last minute can be daunting. But don't panic! You're not alone, and there's always enough time to craft something meaningful and concise. Here are some tips to help you write a short and sweet speech:

Shorten the Length

Recognise that you don't have much time, and shorten the length of your speech accordingly. A wedding speech shouldn't exceed 6 minutes, and if you're really pressed for time, a 3-minute speech is ideal. Focus on quality over quantity and remember that a sincere, concise speech will be more impactful than a long, rambling one.

Keep it Simple

Your subject—the groom and his partner—may be complicated, but your speech should be simple and straightforward. Avoid the temptation to over-engineer your speech with clever jokes or complex stories. Opt for a simple structure that mixes sincere and light-hearted elements.

Make Two Lists

Create two lists: "Must Say" and "Could Say." In the "Must Say" list, jot down the people you need to thank, the toast, and the basic points you need to cover. In the "Could Say" list, note down things that will bring your speech to life, such as the groom's hobbies, interests, or funny anecdotes. Focus on a maximum of three points in the "Could Say" list to keep your speech concise.

Use Short and Punchy Sentences

Craft your speech with short and punchy sentences that are easy to deliver. Read them out loud to ensure they flow smoothly. Print them in a large font, leaving room for pauses and time to read each sentence comfortably.

Focus on Delivery

Once you have your speech ready, focus on delivering it confidently. Don't try to memorise it word-for-word. Instead, read through it several times until it separates into blocks in your mind. Use prompt cards to recall those blocks during your delivery. Aim to know the speech well enough that you can look up and make eye contact with the guests as you speak.

Focus on a single theme

Focusing on a single theme is a great way to write a last-minute best man speech. This approach will help you write a succinct speech that is easy for your audience to follow. Here are some tips and examples to help you craft a memorable speech centred around a single theme:

Choose a Theme

The first step is to choose a theme that ties your speech together. Review your notes and look for common threads. For example, you might focus on the groom's thoughtfulness or his partner's sense of humour. Alternatively, you could structure your speech around a specific anecdote or story that illustrates the groom's character.

Share Stories and Anecdotes

Sharing stories about the groom is an effective way to entertain your audience and celebrate the groom. People are wired for stories, so share funny, heartwarming, or embarrassing experiences that showcase the groom's personality and your relationship with him. If you haven't known the groom for long, you can focus on his partner and the positive impact they have had on him.

Express Your Feelings

As the best man, there is a reason the groom chose you. Share what the groom means to you and express your support for their marriage. Talk about their positive qualities, such as their kindness, adventurous spirit, or how they've always had your back.

Structure Your Speech

Use a simple structure to keep your speech focused and easy to follow. Start by introducing yourself and explaining your connection to the groom. Then, share stories and anecdotes about the groom. Next, talk about their partner and the impact they have had on the groom. Finally, provide well-wishes and close with a memorable line.

Keep it Short and Sweet

A best man's speech should be concise. Aim for a speech that is around 3 to 7 minutes long. This length ensures your speech is memorable and keeps your audience engaged. Focus on quality over quantity and aim for a sincere and meaningful speech.

Practice and Prepare

Don't underestimate the power of practice! Rehearse your speech multiple times to refine your delivery and build your confidence. Practising in front of a mirror or with a trusted friend can help you identify areas for improvement. Remember to focus on your body language and eye contact, and consider recording yourself to get feedback.

Example Outline

• Introduction: "Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. For those who don't know me, I'm [Name], and it's an honour to stand here today as the best man. I've known [Groom] for [amount of time], and one thing that always stood out to me was his love for adventure."
• Story about the groom: "I want to share a story that really showcases [Groom]'s adventurous spirit. A few years ago, we decided to go on a hiking trip to [Place]. We faced some challenges along the way, including getting lost in the woods and encountering some wild animals. But [Groom]'s determination and sense of adventure got us through, and we ended up having the time of our lives."
• Talk about the groom's partner: "I also want to mention the positive impact that [Bride] has had on [Groom]. Since meeting [Bride], [Groom] has become even more open to new experiences and embracing life to the fullest. They are a perfect pair, and their shared love for adventure will lead them to many exciting places together."
• Well-wishes and conclusion: "I wish [Groom] and [Bride] all the best in their future adventures together. May their lives be filled with love, laughter, and new experiences. Please join me in raising a glass to the happy couple!"

Don't use generic quotes

As tempting as it may be to use a generic quote to fill space, it's important to avoid this at all costs. Quotes should be used sparingly and only when they are highly relevant to the couple and their relationship. If you do use a quote, make sure it's something unique and original that captures the essence of the couple in a way that your own words cannot.

For example, rather than using an overused quote like "Love is not about finding the perfect person, but learning to see an imperfect person perfectly," try to find something more specific and meaningful to the couple. Perhaps they bonded over a shared love of travel, in which case you could say, "Life is a journey, and you've found the perfect travel companion." Or maybe they're big fans of "The Office," so you could adapt a Michael Scott quote like, "Love is the water of life. [Bride] and [Groom] are soup snakes for life. They're like a famous quote by Wayne Gretzky." It's silly but specific to them.

If you're struggling to find the perfect quote, try to capture the spirit of a quote you like in your own words. For example, instead of saying, "Marriage is not about finding someone you can live with; it's about finding someone you can't live without,"" you could say something like, " [Groom], you've found your Player 2 for life." This way, you're expressing the same sentiment but in a more creative and personalised way.

Remember, the key is to make your speech feel authentic and tailored to the couple. By avoiding generic quotes, you'll create a more engaging and memorable speech that your friends will truly appreciate.

Start with gratitude

The best man's speech is a huge part of the wedding, so make sure yours is memorable. A good best man speech is short and sweet, and a foolproof way to end it is by congratulating the happy couple and offering a toast to their future. But how do you begin?

It's a good idea to start by stepping onto the dance floor and saying good evening to the crowd. The opening line of your speech should introduce yourself as the best man and then express gratitude to those you think deserve a special mention. Thank the couple's parents for raising such great people, and thank your friend for having you there. You could also thank the guests for coming, and maybe even the bartender for providing a few laughs! This is a low-key way to break the ice, ease yourself into the speech, and make sure those who deserve it feel appreciated.

If you're worried about getting nervous, write this part down as a note at the top of your speech. That way, if you do get flustered, you can easily find your place again.

A template for starting with gratitude

"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. For those of you who don't know me, I'm [name], and it's an honour to be the best man here today. I'd like to start by saying thank you. [Couple], thank you for inviting me to be a part of your special day. [Couple's parents], thank you for putting on this wonderful celebration, and for raising [groom] to be the man he is today. And of course, thank you to all the guests for being here to support the happy couple. I know [groom] is incredibly grateful to have you all here."

Make it personal

If you want to make your gratitude section more personal, you could share a story about the groom and his parents, or a memory that demonstrates how much your friendship means to you. For example:

"I remember when I first met [groom] at university. We bonded over our shared love of double shot espressos, and I knew from the start that he was going to be a friend for life. So, to [groom's parents], thank you for raising such a wonderful man and bringing him into my life."

Keep it concise

While it's important to express gratitude at the beginning of your speech, you don't want to ramble on. Try to keep this section to a few sentences, or a short paragraph at most. You can go into more detail about your relationship with the groom later in your speech.

Avoid inside jokes

While it might be tempting to include an inside joke or two in your gratitude section, it's best to avoid these. Not everyone will understand the reference, and you don't want to exclude people from your speech. Keep it light and friendly, so that all the guests can follow along.

Share a story

Sharing stories is a crucial part of a best man's speech. It's a chance to celebrate the groom and share entertaining and memorable anecdotes about him. When sharing stories, it's important to keep a few things in mind:

Keep it Appropriate and Classy

While you might have hilarious stories about the groom's wild party days, it's important to remember that the audience will likely include a mix of ages and relationships to the couple. Opt for stories that are relatable and won't make anyone uncomfortable. Avoid inside jokes that will go over most people's heads, and steer clear of embarrassing secrets or stories about the groom's ex-partners.

Focus on the Groom

The best man's speech is primarily about the groom, so make sure your stories revolve around him. While you can include the bride in some of the anecdotes, especially those that show their connection, don't make yourself the hero of the stories. It's his day, so keep the focus on him.

Condense and Embellish

Rather than sharing long, detailed stories, try to condense them into neat bursts of comedy. Embellish and add a creative twist to make them more entertaining. This approach will keep your speech engaging and ensure that you don't lose the audience's attention with long-winded tales.

Include a Mix of Humor and Sentiment

While humor is an essential part of a best man's speech, don't be afraid to include some heartfelt and emotional moments as well. Share stories that showcase the groom's positive traits and the impact he has had on your life. Talk about his thoughtfulness, loyalty, or any other qualities that make him a great friend. This will add depth to your speech and show the groom how much he means to you.

Share a Transformational Story

If you can, try to include a story that showcases the groom's journey or transformation. This could be about how he has grown as a person, mastered adulting with the help of the bride, or even how he has evolved from a carefree boy to a responsible man. These types of stories are not only entertaining but also showcase the groom's development and the positive influence of his partner.

Keep it Light-Hearted

While it's good to include sentimental moments, remember that the best man's speech is meant to be entertaining. Opt for light-hearted and funny stories that will make the audience laugh and celebrate the joy of the occasion.

• The time the groom tried to cook an impressive meal for his partner and accidentally set off the fire alarm.
• How the groom's fashion sense has evolved from cargo shorts and t-shirts to a more polished and sophisticated style, all thanks to the bride's influence.
• A story about the groom's dedication to his favorite sports team, and how he approaches relationships with blind optimism and a less-than-successful strategy.
• Share a story about the groom's early dating days, when he thought "meal prep" meant ordering takeout for the next day and "cleaning" meant pushing everything under the bed.
• Talk about the groom's transformation from a microwave meals enthusiast to someone who can actually operate a washing machine and cook a decent meal, all thanks to the bride's influence.
• A funny anecdote about the groom's attempts at flirting, dancing, or cooking, and how he still managed to charm his partner despite his complete lack of skill in these areas.

Frequently asked questions