Best Man's Guide To Toasts: What, When, And How

what does a best man toast

The best man's speech is one of the highlights of a wedding. It's a position of honour and responsibility and the best man is expected to share their affection for the groom and his bride, as well as their excitement for the couple's future together. The best man should introduce himself and explain his relationship with the groom. He should also thank the people who helped make the event possible, tell a story about the groom, and express how much the groom means to him. The best man might also tell the story of how the couple met and share a relevant or inspirational love quote or song lyric. The speech should be short and sweet, lasting no more than 10 minutes. It should be light-hearted and funny, but not at the expense of the couple. Finally, the best man should propose a toast to the couple's future happiness.

Characteristics Values
Introduction Introduce yourself and your relationship with the groom
Thanking the hosts Thank the hosts and mention your relationship with the groom
Compliment the couple Compliment the bride and groom and their wedding
Story Share a meaningful story about the groom or the couple
Impact of the bride on the groom Talk about the positive impact the bride has had on the groom
Well-wishes Offer your best wishes for their future together
Toast End with a toast to the couple's future

shunbridal

Introduce yourself and your relationship with the groom

As the best man, you'll be expected to give a speech at the wedding reception, usually after the father of the bride and the groom. It's a chance to share some kind words about the couple and your best friend, and it should be quick, lighthearted, and positive. Here are some tips for introducing yourself and your relationship with the groom:

  • Start with a light-hearted icebreaker or a joke to warm up the guests and calm your nerves. You could say something like, "Hello everyone, I'm [name], and I've been best friends with [groom's name] for the past 15 years. For those of you who already know me, I apologise. For those who don't, don't listen to any of the rumours!"
  • Share how you met the groom and how long you've known each other. If there's a humorous tale about your first encounter, now is the time to tell it.
  • If you don't have any "growing up together" stories, focus on the groom's positive qualities, such as his kindness or adventurous spirit.
  • Talk about how the bride has affected the groom. Has she always made him sound excited? Has she pushed him to become more responsible or outgoing?
  • If you have any short, positive anecdotes that exemplify the groom's good qualities or the couple's relationship, include them. Keep the stories lighthearted and straightforward.
  • Keep your speech sincere, short, and sweet. Aim for a length of around three to seven minutes.

shunbridal

Thank those who helped carry out the wedding

Thanking those who helped carry out the wedding is a thoughtful and polite gesture in a best man's speech. This can include the wedding party, the guests, and the parents of the newlyweds. It is also an opportunity to express your personal appreciation for those who played a role in making the wedding a reality.

"I want to take a moment to thank everyone who helped make today possible. To the wedding party, thank you for your dedication and support. To the guests, some of whom have travelled far to be here, thank you for being here to celebrate this special day with the newlyweds. And finally, to the parents, thank you for your contributions to this wonderful event."

You could also choose to single out individuals for specific thanks. For example, "I want to extend a special thank you to the bridesmaids/groomsmen, who have been amazing today. They have gone above and beyond to ensure that everything ran smoothly, and I know the newlyweds are incredibly grateful for their efforts."

If the couple and/or their families put a lot of work into the wedding, you could acknowledge this with a sentence such as, "I want to acknowledge the effort and love that went into making this day so beautiful/fun/romantic. It is clear that a lot of hard work went into making this day so special."

shunbridal

Tell a story about the groom or the couple

The best man's speech is a memorable moment for the groom and is a way to further cement your friendship. It is important to keep the speech meaningful and include well-wishes for the couple. Here are some ideas for telling a story about the groom or the couple:

How the Couple Met

The story of how the couple met is always a highlight of a best man's speech. You can tell the story from your point of view, including your initial thoughts. If you weren't there when they met, you can talk about the positive impact the bride has had on the groom.

A Childhood Memory

If the groom is your brother or a close friend, you can share a cute or funny story from your childhood together. Choose a story that showcases what makes him a great brother or friend, and what kind of person he is.

A Meaningful Adventure

If you've had wacky adventures with the bride, you can focus the speech more on her and tell a story about one of those adventures. You can also talk about how the couple met if you were there, or how the groom first told you about her.

A Story About the Groom

Share a meaningful story or anecdote about the groom. It can be about how you met, a memorable moment from your childhood together, or a time when he was there for you. You can also talk about the groom's life before he met the bride, and how he has changed and grown since.

A Story About the Couple

Tell a story about the couple together, such as when you knew they were right for each other. You can also share your observations about their relationship and why you think they are great for each other.

Remember to keep your speech short and sweet, and always end on a positive note with a toast to the couple's future!

Who Was Josh Dun's Best Man?

You may want to see also

shunbridal

Compliment the bride and groom

As the best man, you are obliged to toast the newlyweds, and it is common to include a nod to the bridesmaids, too. Here are some ideas for how to compliment the bride and groom in your speech:

Compliment the groom

  • "Of course, marriage for everybody is a major adjustment. For example… before today, as a smart single man, [groom] had the answers to everything. Now, as a married man, he has the answers to nothing."
  • "I've been a first-hand observer of [groom] for a long time, being a close friend of his, and I've been drawn into many of his wild schemes as an unwilling ally. His ventures were always adventures. He was in his element when he'd fastened onto a new idea, no matter how harebrained the idea was. Although many of his early business initiatives failed, he triumphed in the most important enterprise of all - his courtship of [bride]."
  • "I don't think I know anyone more generous - generous in giving help, in giving advice, or in the pub. That last one may have to be reigned in a bit now you are married, but only from tomorrow."
  • "I can't imagine a couple more ready, more right for this blessing. And I couldn't ever have imagined a bride more perfect for [groom] - thank you, [bride], for bringing him and all of us such happiness."
  • "The splendid day we are all enjoying has only come about because of the love between [groom] and [bride] and their decision to show their commitment to each other through marriage. I have to say that [bride] has been a wonderful influence on [groom]. Since the day that they met, he has been a happy little soul and I wish them both all the future happiness they deserve."

Compliment the bride

  • "I can't imagine a couple more ready, more right for this blessing. And I couldn't ever have imagined a groom more perfect for [bride] - thank you, [groom], for bringing her and all of us such happiness."
  • "[Bride] took on another full-time job recently: planning the wedding. And I must say that while the pay isn't good, the hours are long, and the work isn't glamorous, the returns will be everlasting."
  • "I wish to thank [bride] for bringing [groom] and all of us such happiness."
  • "I have to say that [groom] has been a wonderful influence on [bride]. Since the day that they met, she has been a happy little soul and I wish them both all the future happiness they deserve."

Compliment the couple

  • "Please join me in raising a glass to the happy couple – to [groom] and [bride]."
  • "I’d like you all to join me in wishing the new Mr and Mrs/Mr [surname] 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 [surname]."
  • "Please make sure your glasses are charged and join me in toasting the new Mr and Mrs/Mr [surname]. Ladies and gentlemen, to the happy couple!"
  • "They say you don’t marry the person you can live with, you marry the person you can’t live without. That sums up [groom] and [bride] perfectly. To the happy couple!"
  • "Here is a toast to a perfect couple – to a long life together filled with happiness, adventure and lots of wonderful memories."
  • "To [groom] and [bride] – here is to a lifetime of love and happiness."
  • "Raise your glass and join me in a toast to [groom] and [bride] – may you always be friends as well as lovers."
  • "To the two things that make a great marriage – having a good sense of humour and selective hearing. To [groom] and [bride]!"
  • "To [groom] and [bride] – we all knew [groom] had found the one when he/she started spending more time with [bride/groom] than he/she did playing on his/her Xbox!"
  • "I would like to end on some wise words from Socrates: ‘My advice to you is to get married. If you find a good wife/husband, you’ll be happy; if not, you’ll become a philosopher.’ To the happy couple!"
  • "Here’s one of my favourite Oscar Wilde quotes: ‘The man who says his wife/husband can’t take a joke forgets that she/he took him.’ To [groom] and [bride]."
  • "Before we raise a glass to the newlyweds, I’d like to share a Pauline Thomason quote with you: ‘Love is blind – marriage is the eye-opener.’ To the happy couple!"
  • "Here’s a poem by Ogden Nash to finish on: To keep a marriage brimming with love in the loving cup, where you are wrong, admit it, and when you are right, shut up! To [groom] and [bride]."
  • "To [groom] and [bride] – here’s an Antoine de Saint-Exupery quote to finish on: ‘Love does not consist in gazing at each other, but in looking outward together in the same direction.’"
  • "Before we raise our glasses, I’d like to share this Mignon McLaughlin quote with [groom] and [bride]: ‘A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person.’"

shunbridal

Give a toast to the future

As the best man, you have the honour of giving a speech and a toast to celebrate the happy couple's future together. Here are some tips and ideas to help you craft a meaningful and engaging toast:

Opening

Begin by introducing yourself and explaining your relationship with the couple. You can add a lighthearted joke or a quote to make your opening more engaging. For example, "Hello everyone! For those of you who don't know me, thank you so much for coming to my wedding. [pause for laughter] Sorry about that...I'm a little nervous." You can also directly address the couple, expressing your honour and joy at being their best man.

Thank the Previous Speakers

It is customary to acknowledge the previous speakers, such as the maid of honour, and to thank the couple's parents for raising such wonderful people and for hosting the celebration. This is also an opportunity to transition into your speech and warn the audience if you plan to take a more humorous or sentimental route.

Share Stories and Compliments

Add a personal touch by sharing anecdotes and stories about your relationship with the groom and, if you wish, their new spouse. Avoid long-winded stories and try to keep them lighthearted and short. You can also compliment the couple, highlighting their positive qualities and why they are a great match.

Focus on the Couple's Future

As the best man, you have a unique perspective on the couple's relationship. Share your insights and well-wishes for their future together. You can include advice, quotes, or poems to make your toast more meaningful. Here are some examples:

  • "I wish you a lifetime of peace, love and happiness. May the flame of your love burn long, and may sparks continue to fly. Cheers to the newlyweds!"
  • "May your marriage be as strong as the drinks in your hand. Cheers to a future filled with happiness, adventure, and wonderful memories!"
  • "To a lifetime of love, joy, and all the wealth and health in the world. May you always be friends and lovers. Congratulations!"

Closing

Conclude your speech by asking everyone to raise their glasses and join you in toasting the couple. You can end with a final joke or a meaningful quote. Remember to speak confidently and slowly, and most importantly, be yourself!

The Best Man's Guide to Styling Success

You may want to see also

Frequently asked questions

Traditionally, the only people the best man is obliged to toast are the newlyweds. However, it's common to include a nod to the bridesmaids, too.

A best man toast usually includes an introduction, a compliment to the couple and their wedding, a story about the groom (or the couple), and a heartfelt statement about the value of the groom's friendship. It may also include a relevant quote or lyric and a toast to the couple's future.

A best man's toast should be short and sweet. Around 3-5 minutes is ideal, but if you're nervous, aim for 3 minutes.

Written by
Reviewed by
Share this post
Print
Did this article help you?

Leave a comment