Crafting A Memorable Best Man Speech: Thanking Your Tribe

The best man's speech is one of the most important and memorable parts of a wedding. While the best man's primary role is to honour the groom and flatter the bride, there are also certain people he should thank in his speech. But how do you know who to thank and what to say? This guide will help you understand the dos and don'ts of thanking people in your best man speech, so you can deliver a memorable and meaningful tribute.

Thanking the groom

The best man's speech is the one with the most room for creativity and fun and the least need for thanks. However, it is customary to thank the groom for asking you to be his best man and for being a good friend.

Thank the groom for choosing you as his best man

The groom has entrusted you with a significant role on his special day, and it is only fitting to express your gratitude for his trust and friendship. You can say something like: "Thank you, [groom's name], for the honour of being your best man. It means a lot to me that you chose me for this role."

Share a story about your friendship

Take the opportunity to reminisce about a memorable moment or adventure you shared with the groom. This will not only show your appreciation for your friendship but also add a personal touch to your speech. For example: "I remember when we first met in college, and we instantly clicked. We've been through thick and thin together, and I'm grateful to have you as my best friend."

Highlight the groom's positive qualities

Speak about the groom's admirable qualities and how they have impacted your life. This will not only show your appreciation for him but also celebrate his character in front of the wedding guests. For instance: " [groom's name] is one of the most loyal and generous people I know. He has always been there for me, and I will always be grateful for his friendship."

Express your happiness for the groom and the bride

As the best man, you can share your joy and best wishes for the newlyweds. This will show your support for the groom and his new life partner. You might say: "I am so happy for you, [groom's name], and I can see how happy you are with [bride's name]. Your joy is contagious, and I wish you both all the best in this new chapter of your lives."

Offer a toast to the groom

Propose a toast specifically to the groom, wishing him happiness, love, and all the best in his married life. This will be a heartfelt moment that the groom will surely appreciate. Raise your glass and say something like: "To [groom's name], my best friend and an incredible man. May your life together be filled with love, laughter, and endless happiness. Cheers!"

Thanking the newlyweds

The best man's speech is the perfect opportunity to thank the newlyweds and raise a toast to their future together. It is customary for the best man to propose a toast to the happy couple, marking the beginning of their new chapter. Here are some tips and examples to guide you in crafting a heartfelt and memorable tribute to the newlyweds:

Structure and Content

While the best man's speech is primarily focused on adding a touch of creativity and humour to the celebration, it is essential to include a sincere expression of gratitude towards the newlyweds. Begin by congratulating them on their special day and express your honour and joy in being a part of their celebration. Share a brief story or anecdote that highlights the groom's positive attributes and how he has grown or changed for the better due to his relationship with the bride. You can also mention how the couple complements each other and the love and joy they bring to those around them.

Examples

"I'd like you all to join me in wishing the new Mr and Mrs/Mr [Name] all the wealth, health and happiness in the world. To the newlyweds!"

"To my best friend and his beautiful partner: the new Mr and Mrs/Mr [Name]. May your marriage be filled with laughter, love, and slightly better communication! Cheers to the happy couple!"

"To [Name] and [Name] – here is to a lifetime of love and happiness. May your love be as enduring as [Name]'s legendary hangovers, and may your life together be filled with adventure, joy, and slightly fewer tequila shots. Cheers!"

Practical Tips

Keep the tone lighthearted and inject humour where appropriate, but always ensure your gratitude and best wishes are sincere. It is also a nice touch to include a famous quote or poem that suits the couple's personality or tastes. Remember to maintain good eye contact with the audience and speak at a clear and moderate pace. Use hand gestures and body language to enhance your delivery, and don't forget to pause for comedic timing and to allow the audience to react.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, the best man's speech is an opportunity to celebrate the newlyweds and offer them your heartfelt wishes. By incorporating a thoughtful mix of humour, sincerity, and personal touches, you can create a memorable tribute that will leave a lasting impression on the couple and their guests.

Thanking the bridesmaids

It is customary for the best man to thank the bridesmaids in his speech. This can be done in a variety of ways, from a simple "thanks for all your support" to something more creative and fun.

• Keep it classy and respectful: While it's expected for you to pay compliments to the bridesmaids, be mindful not to objectify them. Avoid anything that could be perceived as lecherous or creepy. Instead, focus on their elegance and beauty rather than their sexuality.
• Make it light-hearted and fun: Inject some humour into your thank-you message. Self-deprecating jokes or playful jabs at the competitiveness among bridesmaids can add a touch of levity to your speech. Just be cautious not to cross the line into inappropriate territory.
• Acknowledge their efforts: Thank the bridesmaids not only for their role on the wedding day but also for their support and friendship to the bride. Recognise the time and effort they may have spent helping the bride prepare for her special day.
• Be mindful of the bride's feelings: Avoid insinuating that any bridesmaid is outdoing the bride in any way. It's also a good idea to check with the groom beforehand to ensure your message aligns with his vision and doesn't overlap with his own thank-yous.
• Use specific names: Addressing the bridesmaids by name can make your message more personal and meaningful.
• Keep it brief: You don't want your thank-you message to dominate your entire speech. A few well-chosen words or a short paragraph can be enough to express your gratitude while keeping the focus on the main elements of your speech.

"I want to thank the bridesmaids, [Name], [Name], and [Name], for their unwavering support and friendship to [Bride]. They have been by her side through thick and thin, and their presence today is a testament to the love and joy they bring to her life. They truly embody the spirit of sisterhood, and we are all grateful for their role in making this day so special."

"A big thank you to [Name], [Name], and [Name] for not only standing by [Bride]'s side today but also for their tireless efforts in the lead-up to the wedding. Their dedication and hard work have been invaluable, and we are so appreciative of their contribution to making this day a success."

"To the bridesmaids, thank you for adding a touch of elegance and beauty to today's celebration. Your presence has enhanced the joy and happiness of this occasion, and we are grateful for your support and friendship to [Bride]. You all look absolutely stunning, and I'm sure [Bride] feels incredibly blessed to have you by her side."

Remember to adapt these examples to fit the specific dynamics and relationships within the wedding party, and feel free to inject your own personality and humour into your message.

Thanking the guests

As best man, you are obliged to thank the newlyweds in your speech, and it is also common to thank the bridesmaids. However, you may also want to thank the guests for attending the wedding.

It is important to avoid listing people to thank, as this can suffocate the speech and make it feel endless. Instead, weave your thanks into the more creative elements of your speech. For example, you could say something like:

> "I am sure that I speak for [bride] and [groom] in thanking you all for coming today and helping them to eat and drink through £10,000 of their hard-earned money, condemning their early years of marriage to hardship, destitution and debt!"

Or, if you want to be more sincere:

> "I'd like to thank everyone on behalf of the bride and groom for sharing their wedding day. Particularly both sets of parents for making this day possible, biologically and financially. Also, a special thanks to those of you who have travelled a long distance to be here."

You could also make a joke at your own expense, such as:

> "Personally, I wish that you'd all stayed at home, as this would be a lot easier on me. But I am testament myself to the lengths a man will go to for a free meal."

Thanking the bride's parents

The best man's speech is usually short and sweet, with more room for creativity and fun and less need for thanks. However, it is customary to thank the groom for asking you to be his best man and for being a good friend. It is also common courtesy to thank the bride's parents for putting on the celebration.

"First of all, I want to say thank you to all of you for coming. Thanks to Mr. and Mrs. [Bride's Last Name] for putting on such an incredible celebration. And thank you to [Groom's Name] for choosing me as your best man. It's an honor."

"Mr. and Mrs. [Bride's Parents' Last Name], it is truly an honor to be in the presence of a couple that has raised such an exceptional girl who complements [Groom's Name] so well. Thank you for your continued support and efforts in making this a perfect day for [Bride and Groom]."

"I'd like to recognize some pretty important people in the audience today, and as a matter of fact... without them, we wouldn't be here. That would be the bride's parents, [Names of Bride's Parents]! To all of you, thanks for making today happen! I know you've worked hard – from raising one of the finest people I know to working through the entire wedding planning process, which resulted in this beautiful event! Here's to a job well done!"

Frequently asked questions