The Best Man's Wedding Toast: Guide To Success

The best man's speech is a wedding staple, but it's not for the faint of heart. It's a chance for the best man to wish the newlyweds a happy future together and to share some (hopefully funny) stories about the groom. But public speaking isn't for everyone, and the pressure of performing in front of a room full of people can be daunting. So, what does the best man typically toast at a wedding?

Traditionally, the best man toasts the bridesmaids and the newlyweds. However, some believe that the groom should be the one to toast the bridesmaids, leaving the best man to raise a glass to the happy couple. The best man's speech is usually filled with jokes and light-hearted jabs at the groom and is often considered the star act of the wedding. It's a chance for the best man to shine and send the newlyweds off with a laugh.

Who does the best man toast?

The best man's speech is a wedding staple, but it can be a daunting task for those who are uncomfortable with public speaking. The best man is not obliged to give a speech or a toast, but it is customary and provides an opportunity to share a heartfelt or humorous message.

Traditionally, the best man toasts the newlyweds, wishing them health, happiness, and a long life together. The best man may also choose to include a nod to the bridesmaids in his toast, although this is usually done by the groom. If the groom is not making a speech or is absent, the best man may opt to thank the bridesmaids as well.

While it is not customary, the best man may also mention the couple's families in his toast, especially if he is particularly close with them. However, it is important to note that this is not traditionally done and should be discussed with the couple beforehand to avoid doubling up on toasts.

Sample Toasts

• "Please join me in raising a glass to the happy couple – to [NAME] and [NAME]."
• "I'd like you all to join me in wishing the new Mr and Mr/Mrs [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]."
• "Please make sure your glasses are charged, and join me in toasting the new Mr and Mrs/Mr [NAME]. Ladies and gentlemen, to the happy couple!"

For a more light-hearted approach, here are some funny best man toast ideas:

• "Time to raise our glasses to the happy couple because I like both of you—do you have any idea how rare that is?"
• "For one more time, I'm going to ask everyone to charge their glasses, and—for those who still can—stand and raise a glass to the newlyweds."
• "Raise a glass to the happy couple. May your marriage be as strong as the drinks in your hand. Cheers!"
• "To the two things that make a great marriage: having a good sense of humour and selective hearing. To [NAME] and [NAME]."

Order of Toasts

The order of toasts at a wedding may vary, but here is a common sequence:

• Father of the Bride: The father of the bride, as the traditional host of the wedding, usually gives the first toast. He welcomes the guests, thanks everyone for attending, and may also welcome the groom into the family.
• Groom: The groom typically toasts his bride and thanks the wedding party, including the bridesmaids and groomsmen.
• Best Man: The best man's toast usually comes after the groom's and is often the most anticipated speech of the wedding.
• Maid of Honour: The maid of honour may also give a toast, although this is not always the case.

In conclusion, the best man's toast is an important part of the wedding celebration and is typically directed towards the newlyweds, with an optional nod to the bridesmaids. The best man can choose to make the toast heartfelt, humorous, or a combination of both, depending on his preference and relationship with the couple.

What to include in the best man's speech

The best man's speech is a wedding staple, and it's a role that comes with a lot of responsibility. Here are some tips on what to include in your speech to make it memorable:

Thank the Right People:

The best man is traditionally only obliged to toast the newlyweds, but it has become common to include a nod to the bridesmaids as well. If you are very close to the groom's family, you may also want to mention them, although this is not usually done. It is important to check with the couple to ensure you are not doubling up on toasts with other speakers.

Set the Tone:

Whether you are the first or last speaker, your speech should be tailored to your role. If you are the first, a warm-up act is ideal, with a few jokes to set the tone for the other speakers. If you are the main act, a good mix of humour and heartfelt sentiments will go a long way.

Share Stories:

The best man's speech is a great opportunity to share stories about the groom, and the couple. It is a chance to be creative and craft a narrative that celebrates their relationship and highlights the groom's best qualities. You can also add in some funny anecdotes about the couple's first meeting or their relationship milestones.

Include a Toast:

The wedding toast is a crucial part of the best man's speech. It is an effective way to punctuate the end of your speech and distil your message into a short, memorable phrase. Keep the toast simple and repeatable, and make sure to lead the audience in a rousing cheer for the couple.

Timing is Key:

A good best man's speech should not be too long. Aim for around 7 minutes to keep the guests engaged and entertained. You don't want to ramble on and lose their attention, so be mindful of the length and practice beforehand to perfect your timing.

End on a High Note:

Whether you opt for a traditional or funny toast, it is a great way to conclude your speech. You can go with a classic, such as:

> "Please join me in raising a glass to the happy couple - to [names]!"

Or add a touch of humour:

> "Time to raise our glasses to the happy couple because I like both of you - do you have any idea how rare that is?"

Remember, the best man's speech is a chance to celebrate the couple and wish them well. Keep it light-hearted, entertaining, and sincere, and you'll deliver a speech that the couple and guests will remember fondly.

How to end the best man's speech

Ending the best man's speech with a toast to the newlyweds is a time-honoured tradition. Here are some tips and examples to help you deliver a memorable and effective conclusion:

Keep it Short and Sweet

Opt for a concise and straightforward toast that is easy for the guests to repeat. Avoid lengthy and complex phrases that may be challenging for others to replicate. For example, "To the happy couple!" or "To the bride and groom!" are simple yet impactful toasts.

Raise Your Glass with Enthusiasm

As the best man, you set the tone for the guests' response. Ensure your toast is delivered with energy and enthusiasm. If you mumble, the guests may mumble back. However, if you speak clearly and energetically, the audience is more likely to reply in a similar manner and may even give you a round of applause.

Traditional Best Man Toast Ideas

If you're looking for classic and heartwarming options, consider toasts such as:

• "Please join me in raising a glass to the happy couple – to [NAME] and [NAME]."
• "I'd like you all to join me in wishing the new Mr and Mr/Mrs [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]."
• "Here is a toast to a perfect couple – to a long life together filled with happiness, adventure and lots of wonderful memories."

Funny Best Man Toast Ideas

If you prefer to end on a humorous note, try something like:

• "Time to raise our glasses to the happy couple because I like both of you—do you have any idea how rare that is?"
• "For one more time, I’m going to ask everyone to charge their glasses and—for those who still can—stand and raise a glass to the newlyweds."
• "To the two things that make a great marriage—having a good sense of humour and selective hearing. To [NAME] and [NAME]."
• "To [NAME] and [NAME]—we all knew [NAME] had found the one when he/she started spending more time with [NAME] than he/she did playing on his/her Xbox!"

Quotes for a Memorable Finish

Using a quote as your best man toast can add a touch of wisdom and sentiment to your speech. Here are some examples:

• "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!"
• "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 [NAME] and [NAME]."

Remember, the key to ending the best man's speech is to keep it lighthearted, sincere, and focused on celebrating the newlyweds. Choose a toast that feels authentic to you and your relationship with the couple, and you'll be sure to leave a lasting impression.

Best man speech ideas

The best man's speech is one of the most important and entertaining parts of a wedding reception. It is a chance to wish the newlyweds a happy future together and to share some fun anecdotes about the groom. Here are some ideas to help you craft the perfect best man's speech:

Structure

Begin your speech by introducing yourself and explaining how you know the groom. This is a great opportunity to share a funny story or two about your friendship. Then, transition to speaking about the couple and offer your congratulations and best wishes for their future together. Finally, propose a toast to the happy couple and invite everyone to raise their glasses and drink to the newlyweds.

Content

The content of your speech should focus on the groom and the couple. Share stories and anecdotes that highlight the groom's best qualities and poke fun at his quirks and weaknesses. You can also include stories about how the couple met, their relationship, and any challenges they have overcome together. It is important to keep the speech light-hearted and entertaining, so avoid anything that could be considered offensive or embarrassing.

Etiquette

As the best man, you are expected to toast the couple at the end of your speech. This is a time-honoured tradition and an important part of the wedding reception. When proposing the toast, simply ask everyone to raise their glasses and say something like, "Please join me in raising a glass to the happy couple - to [groom's name] and [bride's name]." You can also include a wish for their future, such as "May your marriage be filled with love, laughter, and all the best that life has to offer."

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]."
• "Here is a toast to a perfect couple – to a long life together filled with happiness, adventure and lots of wonderful memories."

If you want to add some humour to your speech, you could try something like:

• "Time to raise our glasses to the happy couple because I like both of you - do you have any idea how rare that is?"
• "To the two things that make a great marriage – having a good sense of humour and selective hearing. To [name] and [name]."
• "To [name] and [name] – we all knew [name] had found the one when he/she started spending more time with [name] than he/she did playing on his/her Xbox!"

Tips

• Keep your speech relatively short and sweet. Aim for around 7 minutes to ensure you hold the audience's attention.
• Practice your speech beforehand to ensure you are comfortable and confident when delivering it.
• Remember to speak clearly and energetically during the toast to encourage a enthusiastic response from the guests.
• If you are nervous about public speaking, consider asking another groomsman to give the speech with you or writing your speech down and having someone else read it on your behalf.

Best man toasts to the bridesmaids

As the best man, you may be wondering if you should give a toast to the bridesmaids during your speech. While the only people the best man is obliged to toast are the newlyweds, it is quite common to include a nod to the bridesmaids, too.

If the groom is not making a speech, or you are at a wedding with no groom, you can choose to thank the bridesmaids during your toast. It is thoughtful to check with the newlyweds first to ensure you are not doubling up on toasts.

• "The beautiful bridesmaids have been amazing. Ladies and gentlemen, I'd like you all to raise your glasses. I give you... the bridesmaids."
• "I would like to say a special thank you to the bridesmaids, who have been wonderful throughout the day. Ladies and gentlemen, please raise your glasses."
• "The bridesmaids have done an incredible job today. Let's raise our glasses to them."
• "A round of applause for the bridesmaids, who have been fantastic. Cheers!"
• "Let's hear it for the bridesmaids! They've been so supportive and we're so grateful. Please raise your glasses."

Frequently asked questions