Best Man's Guide To Thanking Bridesmaids

The best man's speech is one of the most highly anticipated moments at a wedding. It's a chance to pay tribute to the happy couple, share some laughs, and maybe even shed a few tears. But what about the bridesmaids? While the best man is not expected to go into detail about the bridesmaids, it is customary for him to accept and respond to any thank-yous from the groom or father of the bride on their behalf. This can be done with a simple thank you for your support or a playful joke, as long as it stays on the right side of lecherous and doesn't objectify the bridesmaids. It's also an opportunity to inject some fun into the proceedings and showcase your wit and charm. So, while the main focus of your speech should be the groom and his partner, don't forget to give a quick shout-out to the bridesmaids and make them feel appreciated too!

Compliment the bridesmaids' appearance

Complimenting the bridesmaids on their appearance is a great way to acknowledge their presence and make them feel special. Here are some ideas to guide you in crafting your speech:

Keep it Classy and Respectful

While it is expected for you to say something nice about the bridesmaids' appearance, it is important to maintain a respectful tone. Avoid objectifying the bridesmaids or making lewd jokes. Show appreciation without being creepy or lecherous. Remember, some of them may have their partners in the audience, so be mindful of your words.

Highlight Their Beauty and Elegance

Start by acknowledging their beauty and elegance. You can say something like, "The bridesmaids look absolutely breathtaking today. They have outshone everyone else, except, of course, the radiant bride herself." You can also mention specific details, such as "The colour of their dresses brings out their eyes, and their smiles light up the room."

Make it Personal

If you have a close relationship with the bridesmaids, you can add a personal touch to your compliments. For example, "I've known Sarah, one of the bridesmaids, for years, and I must say she looks more gorgeous than ever. That dress showcases her unique sense of style, and her happiness today is contagious." Adding a personal touch will make your compliment more meaningful.

Use Humour Carefully

While humour can lighten the mood, be cautious when making jokes about the bridesmaids' appearance. Ensure your jokes are tasteful and not offensive. Self-deprecating humour can be a good approach. For instance, "As I walked past the bridesmaids, I heard them discussing who would get to dance with the best man first. Their friendship and consideration for each other truly touched me."

Avoid Objectification

It is essential to avoid making comments that objectify or sexualise the bridesmaids. Steer clear of remarks that focus solely on their physical attributes. Instead, opt for compliments that highlight their inner beauty, such as their kindness or grace. For example, "The bridesmaids exude warmth and compassion. Their presence today has added to the joy and elegance of this celebration."

Remember, the key is to be sincere, respectful, and mindful of your words. Keep your compliments elegant and tasteful, ensuring that the bridesmaids feel appreciated and valued on this special day.

Thank the bridesmaids for their support

Thanking the bridesmaids is a crucial part of the best man's speech. While it can be done quickly, it is an opportunity to inject some fun into the proceedings. Here are some ideas to help you craft a detailed and focused section on thanking the bridesmaids for their support:

Keep it Respectful

It is important to pay a compliment to the bridesmaids, and it is expected that you will say something nice. However, it is crucial to keep your comments respectful and avoid objectifying them. Show respect to the bridesmaids and their partners or dates who may be in the audience. A self-deprecating joke can be a good way to do this, making sure the focus is on you rather than the bridesmaids. For example: "My thanks to Dave on behalf of the bridesmaids for his kind words. But that's your lot now, Dave. It's only fair that us single guys get a look in too."

Make it Light-hearted

If appropriate, a light-hearted joke can be a fun way to thank the bridesmaids. For example: "How fantastic are our bridesmaids today? They look amazing, and they performed their role to perfection. As I was walking past them earlier, I heard them all talking about who will get to have the first dance with the best man later. "You!" "No! You!" "No way!" It was all very touching. Not one of them wanted to see their friends miss out. At least, that's how I'm reading it."

Be Mindful of the Couple

When the groom or the father of the bride thanks the bridesmaids, they must be very careful not to come across as leering over the bride's friends. A self-deprecating joke can work well here too, provided you don't make the other players seem more powerful than you. For example: "It's my job to pay compliments to the bridesmaids, and I'd love to say how beautiful they all look today... but Janice hasn't let me look at another woman since 1982, so I'll just have to guess. I'm sure you all look lovely, though not as lovely as Janice."

Focus on Their Support

The bridesmaids have played an important role in the wedding and have likely been a great support to the bride. You can acknowledge their hard work and dedication with a sincere expression of gratitude. For example: "Firstly, I would just like to say how beautiful the bridesmaids look. They have only been outshone by the bride herself, who looks amazing today. I want to thank them for all their support and for making today so special."

Keep it Brief

While it is important to thank the bridesmaids, you don't want this section of your speech to go on for too long. A short and sincere expression of thanks will suffice. You can combine it with a compliment or a light-hearted joke to keep it brief and memorable. For example: "A big thank you to the bridesmaids for all their hard work and for looking so fantastic today. They have been an incredible support to the bride, and we are all grateful. Cheers to the bridesmaids!"

Avoid objectifying the bridesmaids

As tempting as it may be to make a joke about the bridesmaids, it's important to remember that they are not there to be objectified. While it is expected that you will say something nice about them, it is crucial to keep your comments respectful and avoid being lecherous. Remember, some of them may have their own partners in the crowd, so it's important to show them the same respect you would want for your partner.

If you do decide to make a joke about the bridesmaids, make sure that it is light-hearted and good-natured. One idea is to make yourself the butt of the joke, rather than the bridesmaids. For example, you could say something like, "How fantastic are our bridesmaids today? They look amazing, and they performed their role to perfection. As I was walking past them earlier, I heard them all talking about who will get to have the first dance with the best man later. 'You!' 'No, you!' 'No way!' It was all very touching. Not one of them wanted to see their friends miss out. At least, that's how I'm reading it." This joke is playful and flattering to the bridesmaids without objectifying them.

Another approach is to shift the focus of your comment slightly. For example, you could say, "My thanks to Dave on behalf of the bridesmaids for his kind words about how wonderful they all look. But that's your lot now, Dave. It's only fair that us single guys get a look in too." This joke still acknowledges the bridesmaids' attractiveness while keeping the tone light and respectful.

It's also important to be mindful of the groom's relationship with the bridesmaids. If he is already married, avoid making jokes that could be perceived as leering over his wife's friends. A more appropriate approach would be to make a self-deprecating joke or one that highlights the groom's commitment to his partner. For example, "It's my job to pay compliments to the bridesmaids, and I'd love to be able to say how beautiful they all look today... but Janice hasn't let me look at another woman since 1982, so I'll just have to guess. I'm sure you all look lovely, though not as lovely as Janice."

In conclusion, while it is expected that you will say something nice about the bridesmaids, it is important to avoid objectifying them. Keep your comments respectful, light-hearted, and good-natured. If you do make a joke, consider making yourself the butt of the joke or shifting the focus slightly to avoid any potential offence. Remember, the goal is to celebrate the happy couple and create a positive and memorable experience for everyone involved.

Make self-deprecating jokes

Self-deprecating humour is a brilliant tool to utilise in your best man's speech. It's the safest form of comedy and arguably the strongest and most powerful. It's also sensible. Studies have shown that people who use self-deprecating humour are seen as more humble and, consequently, more emotionally intelligent and attractive. So, while you don't want the speech to be all about you, add a few self-deprecating lines.

• "I must say, being chosen as the best man is almost as surprising as the time I tried to assemble Ikea furniture without looking at the instructions. Somehow, I got through both experiences, but I can't promise the speech will be as sturdy as that bookshelf."
• "I was honoured when the groom asked me to be his best man. I guess he figured that with my shiny head, I would reflect his good taste. So, here's to being the mirror of the groom's impeccable judgment."
• "Being the best man is a lot like being vertically challenged – it comes with its own set of challenges, like reaching the top shelf and convincing people that I'm not a lost child at the wedding. But here I am, ready to give a speech without the need for a step ladder."

If you're going to make a joke about the bridesmaids, make sure it's self-deprecating and doesn't objectify them. For example, this joke is a no-go:

> "My thanks to Dave on behalf of the bridesmaids for his kind words about how wonderful they all look. But hands off, Dave! You've got yours! Leave some for the rest of us."

However, you can tweak it to render it suitable while keeping a touch of bawdiness that won't trouble even the most prudish guest:

> "My thanks to Dave on behalf of the bridesmaids for his kind words about how wonderful they all look. But that's your lot now, Dave. It's only fair that us single guys get a look in."

Or, make yourself the butt of the joke:

> "How fantastic are our bridesmaids today? They look amazing, and they performed their role to perfection. As I was walking past them earlier, I heard them all talking about who will get to have the first dance with the best man later. 'You!' 'No! You!' 'No way!' It was all very touching. Not one of them wanted to see their friends miss out. At least, that's how I'm reading it."

Share funny stories about the bridesmaids

Sharing funny stories about the bridesmaids is a great way to add a personal touch to your best man speech and get the wedding guests laughing. Here are some tips and examples to help you craft a memorable and entertaining speech:

Keep it Light-Hearted and Respectful:

It's important to strike a balance between humour and respect. Avoid objectifying the bridesmaids or making lewd jokes. Self-deprecating humour is a great way to add a funny twist while maintaining a respectful tone. Make yourself the butt of the joke rather than the bridesmaids.

Avoid Creepy Compliments:

While it's expected for you to say something nice about the bridesmaids, be careful not to cross the line into creepiness. A simple and safe approach is to thank them for their support and compliment their appearance, but do so in a tasteful manner.

Share Endearing Stories:

Instead of focusing solely on their looks, share funny and endearing stories that showcase the bridesmaids' personalities. For example, you could recount a story about their efforts in planning the wedding or a group activity they organised. This will add a personal touch and make your speech more memorable.

Include Interactive Elements:

Involve the bridesmaids directly in your speech by asking them to stand or participate in some way. This will make them feel special and create a more engaging atmosphere. For instance, you could ask them to raise their hands or give a cheer.

Be Creative with Compliments:

Think beyond physical appearance and find unique ways to compliment the bridesmaids. You could highlight their organisational skills, their dedication to the bride, or their fun-loving spirit. Be sincere and specific in your praise to make it more meaningful.

Maintain a Balanced Tone:

While it's great to include humour and funny stories, remember to balance them with sincere expressions of appreciation. You want to make the bridesmaids feel valued and appreciated, so ensure your speech has a good mix of laughter and heartfelt moments.

Example Stories:

Now, let's put this into practice with some example stories and jokes:

"I want to give a special shout-out to the bridesmaids, who have been an incredible support system for the bride. I remember the time they organised a surprise birthday party for her. They spent weeks planning every detail, from decorations to the guest list. On the day, they even managed to keep her distracted with a scavenger hunt around town while we set up. Their dedication and creativity are truly admirable!"

"To our wonderful bridesmaids, thank you for adding so much joy and beauty to this special day. I have to say, your fashion sense is truly impressive. In fact, I heard a rumour that one of the bridesmaids will be launching her own clothing line soon. We can't wait to see that!"

"A huge thank you to the bridesmaids, who have gone above and beyond to ensure the bride looks stunning today. In fact, they've been so focused on her that they even forgot to eat lunch themselves! Now that's dedication. Let's give them a round of applause for their hard work and self-sacrifice!"

"I want to share a funny story about our amazing bridesmaids. A few weeks ago, we all went dress shopping together. It was quite the adventure, and their enthusiasm was infectious. They kept pulling out dresses for the bride to try on, and at one point, they even tried on some of the dresses themselves, striking poses and putting on an impromptu fashion show. It was a blast, and it showed their playful and supportive spirit."

Frequently asked questions