The Best Man's Guide To A Memorable Speech

Being the best man at a wedding is a big deal, and it comes with a lot of responsibilities. One of the most important duties of the best man is to give a wedding speech during the reception. The best man's speech is a chance to say kind words about the couple and the groom, and it's meant to be a quick, lighthearted moment during the reception. While it's not a requirement, it's expected, and it can be a daunting task, especially if public speaking isn't your forte. Here are some tips to help you craft and deliver an unforgettable best man speech.

Introduce yourself and your relationship with the groom

As best man, you will want to start your speech by introducing yourself and explaining your relationship with the groom. This is your chance to set the tone for the rest of your speech, so it's important to strike the right balance between humour and sincerity. Here are some ideas to get you started:

"For those of you who don't know me, my name is [your name], and I have the honour of being the best man at [groom's name] wedding. I've known the groom for [length of time], and I can honestly say that he is one of my best friends. We met [explain how you met] and hit it off right away. Over the years, we have shared countless adventures and built memories that will last a lifetime."

"It's a pleasure to be here today as the best man at [groom's name]'s wedding. For those who don't know me, my name is [your name]. I [explain your relationship with the groom, including how you met, how long you have known each other, and any significant experiences you have shared]. I am truly grateful to have [groom's name] as a friend, and I am so happy to be able to stand by his side on this special day."

"Hello everyone, my name is [your name], and I am [groom's name]'s best man. I want to start by saying what an honour it is to be standing here today. I have been friends with the groom for [length of time], and our bond is something I cherish deeply. We first met [explain how you met] and immediately clicked. [Groom's name] is one of the most loyal, caring, and generous people I know, and I am proud to be his friend."

"As the best man, it is my duty to introduce myself and tell you a little bit about my relationship with the groom. My name is [your name], and I [explain how you and the groom met and how long you have known each other]. I have always admired [groom's name]'s [positive trait], and I know that he will make a wonderful husband. I am so happy to be a part of this special day and to celebrate the love between [groom's name] and [bride's name]."

Remember to speak from the heart and tailor your introduction to reflect your unique relationship with the groom. You can add humour, share fond memories, or highlight the groom's positive qualities. The key is to give the audience a sense of your connection and set the tone for the rest of your speech.

Thank the couple, their parents, and the guests

As best man, it's important to take the time to express your gratitude to the couple, their parents, and the guests during your speech. Here's a guide to help you craft your thanks:

Thanking the Couple:

Start by thanking the newlyweds for the honour of being their best man. You can mention how privileged you feel to stand by their side on their special day. Thank them for their friendship and the opportunity to share in this memorable occasion. You could also add a light-hearted comment about how well they've planned the wedding and how impressive the entire event is.

Gratitude to the Couple's Parents:

Take a moment to thank the couple's parents for raising such wonderful children. You can acknowledge the love and support they've provided, not just on the wedding day but throughout the couple's lives. If you have a close relationship with the parents, feel free to add a personal touch by sharing a brief anecdote or expressing your appreciation for a specific quality they've instilled in their children.

Acknowledging the Guests:

Thank the guests for their presence at the wedding. Mention how their attendance has contributed to the joy and celebration of the day. If there are guests who have travelled far or made exceptional efforts to be there, be sure to acknowledge their dedication and commitment to the couple. Thank them for creating such a wonderful atmosphere and making the day even more special for the newlyweds.

Personal Touches:

When crafting your thanks, feel free to include personal anecdotes, inside jokes (keep them appropriate), or shared experiences that showcase your relationship with the couple and their parents. These additions will make your speech more engaging and heartfelt. Remember to keep the focus on expressing your gratitude and making the couple, their parents, and the guests feel valued and appreciated.

Wrapping Up:

In conclusion, take a moment to raise a toast to the couple, wishing them a lifetime of love and happiness together. Propose a final thank you and encourage the guests to stand and raise their glasses in celebration of the newlyweds. This is a beautiful way to cap off your speech, leaving the couple and their loved ones feeling appreciated and celebrated.

Share a funny story or anecdote about the groom

Sharing a funny story or anecdote about the groom is a great way to add a personal touch to your best man speech. Here are some tips and examples to help you craft a memorable and engaging speech:

Keep it Light and Positive

It's important to strike a balance between humour and sincerity. Avoid roasting the groom or sharing embarrassing stories that might make him uncomfortable. Opt for lighthearted and positive anecdotes that showcase his best qualities. You can gently poke fun at his quirks or habits, but always ensure your jokes are good-natured and won't cause any offence.

Know Your Audience

Remember that your audience will include a diverse range of people, from young children to elderly relatives. Choose stories that are universally appealing and avoid anything that might be considered offensive or inappropriate. You want your speech to be inclusive and enjoyable for all guests.

Set the Scene

When sharing a funny story, provide context and background information. Introduce the key players, describe the setting, and paint a picture with vivid details. This will help your audience understand and relate to the story, especially if they don't know the groom well.

Exaggerate for Effect

Feel free to exaggerate the details of your story to enhance the humour. For example, if the groom spilled a drink, you could say, "He drenched half the pub with export-strength lager!" Just be careful not to bend the truth too much; the story should still be recognisable to the groom and those who witnessed the event.

Practice and Rehearse

Don't rely on ad-libbing or winging it. Write down your story in full and then edit it to ensure it's concise and well-structured. Practise your speech ahead of time, and consider getting feedback from a friend. Rehearse your body language and eye contact to ensure you appear confident and engaging during your delivery.

Include the Bride

While the focus of this section is the groom, try to include the bride where possible. Talk about how they met, how the bride has positively impacted the groom's life, or any shared interests or adventures they've had. This will help you celebrate their relationship and make your speech more meaningful.

Example Story Ideas

• A time when the groom tried to impress a date or a crush, and it didn't go according to plan.
• A story from your childhood or teenage years together, especially if it's a funny or adventurous memory.
• An anecdote about the groom's quirks or habits, such as his tendency to lose things or his unique sense of fashion.
• A tale of the groom's attempts at cooking or another domestic task, and how it turned out to be a disaster (or a surprising success!).
• A story about the groom's dedication to a hobby or interest, and how it sometimes gets him into funny situations.
• A memory of a trip or vacation you took together, and any hilarious mishaps or unexpected adventures that occurred.

Talk about the couple's relationship and how they met

As the best man, your speech should be all about the groom. However, it is also important to talk about the couple and their relationship. Here are some tips on how to talk about the couple's relationship and how they met:

• Keep it short and sweet: Your speech should be around 3-5 minutes long. If there are multiple speakers, adjust your speech to be shorter.
• Avoid inappropriate topics: Steer clear of talking about the groom's past relationships, drugs, alcohol, insecurities, financial information, and other sensitive topics.
• Make it about the couple, not yourself: While it is important to talk about how you know the groom, avoid making the speech all about yourself. Focus on the couple and their relationship.
• Add a bit of humour: It is okay to poke fun at the groom (or yourself) but be careful not to embarrass him or say anything inappropriate.
• Compliment the couple: Talk about how happy they make each other and how well they complement each other.
• Share a story: If you know how the couple met, share a brief story about it. If you don't know the details, ask the groom or other friends and family members.
• Keep it positive: Focus on the good times and how the couple brings out the best in each other.
• Avoid inside jokes: Make sure your stories and jokes are understandable to everyone. Explain any inside jokes or provide context to make sure everyone can follow along.
• Rehearse: Practise your speech beforehand to make sure it flows well and is within the appropriate time limit.

Conclude with a toast and well-wishes for the couple

The best man's speech is a meaningful part of the wedding, and concluding it with a toast and well-wishes for the couple is a foolproof way to end on a positive note. Here are some tips and examples to help you craft this section of your speech:

Express Sincere Congratulations and Well-Wishes

Offer your congratulations to the happy couple and wish them a lifetime of happiness, excellent health, and success. Your message can be personal, witty, or a quote. You can also share some hopes and aspirations for their future together. For example:

> "I wish you a lifetime of peace, love, and happiness. Love you guys!"

> "Please join me in raising our glasses to a lifetime of happiness and many more adventures for Jeff and Anne!"

> "We love you so much and are excited for you. Cheers to the newlyweds!"

Include a Final Toast

Ask everyone to raise their glasses and propose a toast to the couple's future. This can be a simple, heartfelt statement, such as:

> "Everyone, please join me in raising a glass to such a wonderful couple. Love you both!"

> "Let's raise our glasses to the beautiful bride and handsome groom. We wish you a bright and beautiful future. Cheers!"

> "Here's to the past, for all you've learned. Here's to the present, and this beautiful moment we all share. Here's to the future and all you have to look forward to. Cheers to the happy couple!"

Keep it Short and Sweet

As the best man, your speech is typically the first one delivered, and it's best to keep it concise. Aim for around three to five minutes so that the guests remain engaged and don't lose interest.

Practice and Prepare

Don't leave your speech to chance. Prepare your closing remarks in advance and practice them. Rehearse your delivery, and if you need to, bring notes or index cards to guide you during your speech.

Frequently asked questions