Crafting A Memorable Best Man Speech

Being asked to be someone's best man is a tremendous honour, but it's also a role that comes with a number of important responsibilities. One of the biggest 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.

Writing a great best man speech requires careful planning, personal touches, and confident delivery. It should be engaging, witty, and delivered with a slightly exaggerated style. It should also balance humour with sincerity.

There's no right or wrong way to write your best man speech, but following a structure is always a good idea. A well-structured best man speech guides guests through an emotional journey while maintaining their interest throughout. Think of your speech as a story with distinct chapters, each serving a specific purpose in the overall narrative.

Here's a simple structure you can follow:

- Introduction: Briefly introduce yourself and explain your connection to the couple. You can have fun with this part by sharing a quick joke or quoting a poem.

- Thank the other speakers: Give props to the previous speaker and express your gratitude to the couple's parents.

- Talk about the groom's new spouse: Give a special shout-out to the new spouse and talk about the qualities you like about them.

- Share personal stories: Add one or two anecdotes, like your favourite memories with the groom (and their partner).

- Talk about the couple's relationship: Share how they first met and how their relationship has grown.

- Conclude with a toast: Close out your speech with a heartfelt toast and ask everyone to raise a glass to the newlyweds.

Opening with a joke

• Know Your Audience: Understand the diverse audience you'll be addressing, which may include family, friends, and people from different generations and backgrounds. Keep your humour clean, respectful, and appropriate for all ages. Avoid offensive, discriminatory, or vulgar jokes.
• Personalise Your Joke: Tailor your humour to the groom's unique personality, experiences, and inside jokes that the audience will appreciate. You can poke fun at the groom's quirks, habits, or embarrassing moments, but always do it from a place of love and friendship.
• Keep It Light and Sentimental: Balance your humour with heartfelt moments. While it's important to be funny, don't forget to include sincere and meaningful sentiments about the groom and his relationship with the bride.
• Practice Your Delivery: Rehearse your speech multiple times to refine your delivery and build confidence. Practising in front of a mirror or with a trusted friend can help you polish your body language, eye contact, and pacing.
• Connect with the Audience: Maintain eye contact, speak clearly, and use hand gestures to engage your audience. Even the best joke will fall flat if you're looking at the ground and mumbling.
• Set the Tone: Your opening joke should grab the audience's attention and set the tone for the rest of your speech. It could be a self-deprecating joke, a lighthearted jab at the groom, or a playful anecdote that gets everyone laughing.

"Good evening, everyone. For those who don't know me, I'm [Name], and I've been friends with [Groom] since we thought instant noodles counted as fine dining."

"Ladies and gentlemen, I'll be humble and keep this speech simple – that's what Google recommended after my first three drafts."

"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."

"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 told to keep this speech like a mini-skirt: long enough to cover the essentials, but short enough to keep everyone's attention."

"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."

"Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen, before I begin, I'd like to introduce myself: my name is Chris, and it is my great honour and privilege to be the first of Mark's two best men... we had to split it... 46 years is quite a long time to cover all in one go!"

Remember to adapt these examples to fit the groom's personality, your relationship with him, and the specific audience you'll be addressing. Best of luck with your best man speech!

Thanking the other speakers

When it comes to thanking the other speakers, it's important to be gracious and sincere. Here are some tips to guide you in crafting this section of your best man speech:

Extend Your Gratitude: Begin by expressing your sincere appreciation to the individuals who have already spoken or will be speaking during the wedding celebration. This includes the officiant, parents of the bride and groom, maid of honor, and any other significant contributors. For example, "I'd like to start by thanking the wonderful speakers who have shared their thoughts and well-wishes. Your words have added a special touch to this joyous occasion."

Recognize Their Roles: Acknowledge the unique role that each speaker plays in the lives of the bride and groom. For instance, "To the parents of the bride and groom, your loving support and guidance have been instrumental in shaping the incredible people that [bride's name] and [groom's name] are today. Thank you for raising them with such care and dedication."

Highlight Their Impact: Elaborate on how their words or presence have enhanced the wedding celebration. For example, "The maid of honor, [name], delivered a heartwarming speech that reminded us all of the beautiful friendship between her and the bride. It truly touched our hearts and added a special layer to this wonderful day."

Offer Warm Sentiments: Convey your best wishes and warm sentiments to the speakers. For instance, "To the officiant, your thoughtful and personalized ceremony captured the essence of [bride's name] and [groom's name] as a couple. We are all incredibly grateful for your presence here today. Cheers to you!"

Be Inclusive: Ensure that you thank all the speakers, even if you don't know them personally. This demonstrates your respect for everyone who has contributed to the wedding. For example, "And to any other speakers I may have missed, your contributions are equally valued and appreciated. Thank you for being a part of this memorable day."

Keep it Sincere: Speak from the heart and let your gratitude shine through. Your sincerity will be felt by the speakers and the entire wedding party. Rehearse this section to ensure your sincerity comes across.

Here's an example paragraph that puts these tips together:

"I want to take a moment to express my sincere gratitude to all the wonderful speakers who have shared their thoughts and well-wishes today. To the parents of the bride and groom, thank you for your loving support and for raising such exceptional individuals. The maid of honor's speech was a beautiful testament to the deep bond she shares with the bride, and it truly warmed our hearts. And to the officiant, your personalized ceremony captured the unique love story of [bride's name] and [groom's name]. Cheers to all of you for adding so much joy and meaning to this very special day."

Remember to adapt these paragraphs to fit the specific speakers at the wedding and the dynamics of the couple and their families.

Sharing a story about the groom

Sharing stories about the groom is a great way to keep your audience entertained and connected. Here are some ideas for stories you can share about the groom:

How You Met

Talk about how you first met the groom and became friends. This is a great way to establish a connection with the audience and give them insight into the groom's personality. For example:

> I first met Dan back in St. David's High School. He was team captain, head boy, and always the most popular person to be around. We all imagined he'd go on to play for England. Fast-forward a few decades, I'm not sure where it all went wrong?

Their Hobbies and Interests

Share some of the groom's hobbies and interests, especially if they are unique or funny. This will give the audience a glimpse into the groom's personality and what they enjoy doing. For example:

> You'll often find him at the Golf Club—sitting at the bar, with a pint and a packet of crisps.

Their Embarrassing Moments

Embarrassing moments or funny stories are always a great way to entertain the audience. Share a story about a time when the groom did something embarrassing, but make sure it's good-natured and not too humiliating. For example:

> There weren't many highlights to being on minimum wage in the frozen section of nobody's favourite supermarket, in fact, if I remember rightly, there was only one. Nick had been asked to use his initiative to dispose of a 2-litre tub of chocolate ice cream...Ladies and gentlemen, a big tub of melting chocolate ice cream can make a big impression when poured into a toilet...

Their Triumphs and Accomplishments

While it's fun to share embarrassing stories, it's also important to celebrate the groom's accomplishments and triumphs. Talk about a time when they achieved something impressive or overcame a challenge. For example:

> Quite how he managed to catch the impossible cricket ball as it left our sports master's bat is still completely unknown. But with uncharacteristic razor-sharp reactions and gazelle-like agility, he did just that and won his side the match.

How the Bride Has Impacted Them

Talk about how the bride has positively impacted the groom. This could be about how she has helped him grow or change for the better. For example:

> Since meeting Jenny, Dan has finally stepped up into the best version of himself. He's happier, healthier, staying active, and finally dressing his age.

Remember to keep your stories light-hearted, positive, and appropriate for all ages. Your goal is to celebrate the groom and showcase their best qualities. Have fun with it and your speech is sure to be a hit!

Talking about the couple's relationship

Share a memorable story about the couple

Share a story about the couple that is funny, touching, or interesting. This could be about how they met, a memorable date, or an anecdote that showcases their unique dynamic. For example:

> "I know I said earlier I'm the best man, but I lied. I'm actually Cupid because I'm the one who introduced these two eight years ago."

Compliment the couple

Compliment the couple and highlight what makes them a great pair. Talk about their shared interests, how they balance each other out, and how they have positively influenced each other. For instance:

> "They go together without forcing it. They love each other without fighting it. And they care about each other without thinking about it."

Express your support for their marriage

Strengthen your bond with the newlyweds by expressing your support for their marriage. You can wish them a long and happy future together, offer marriage advice, or simply congratulate them on finding each other. For example:

> "I wish you both a lifetime of happiness, love, and countless adventures."

Share your observations about their relationship

Comment on the positive changes you've noticed in the groom since he met the bride. Talk about how the bride brings out the best in him, makes him happier, or has helped him grow as a person. For instance:

> "Emma, you truly bring out the best in Mark. Since meeting you, I've seen him grow into a more caring, thoughtful, and incredibly happy person. You complement each other so well, and it's wonderful to see how much joy you bring into each other's lives."

Offer well-wishes for their future

Conclude this section by offering your best wishes for the couple's future together. You can include some light-hearted or sincere advice, and raise a toast to their happiness and lasting love. For example:

> "May your life together be filled with love, laughter, and countless joyful moments. My advice to you both is to always communicate, support each other, and never forget the love that brought you together."

Closing with a toast

Closing your best man speech with a toast to the newlyweds is a great way to end on a high note and leave a lasting impression. Here are some tips and examples to help you craft a memorable conclusion:

Keep it Brief and Snappy:

Your toast should be concise and to the point. You don't want to ramble on and lose the attention of your audience. A short and sweet toast will have more impact and ensure that your message is clear.

End on a Positive Note:

Make sure to celebrate the newlyweds and wish them well. This is your chance to offer your congratulations and express your hopes for their future together. Focus on uplifting and heartfelt sentiments.

Tie it All Together:

Your toast should feel like a natural conclusion to your speech. Try to tie back to an earlier joke or story for a satisfying full-circle moment. This will leave your audience with a sense of cohesion and show that you've carefully crafted your speech.

Add a Touch of Humour:

It's perfectly fine to end your speech with a light-hearted joke or a comical observation about marriage. However, avoid giving marriage advice if you're single, as it may come across as disingenuous. Opt for a funny anecdote or a witty one-liner instead.

Be Mindful of Tradition:

Traditionally, the best man toasts only the newlyweds. However, it is becoming more common to include a nod to the bridesmaids as well. If you want to thank the bridesmaids or mention the groom's family, check with the couple first to ensure you're not overlapping with anyone else's responsibilities.

Examples of Closing Toasts:

• "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 [Bride] and [Groom]. May you share all your dreams on the same pillow and may your lives be filled with magical moments."
• "To my best friend and his beautiful bride: the new Mr and Mrs [Name]. May you always be friends as well as lovers, and may your marriage be filled with love and happiness!"

Frequently asked questions