Best Man Speech Ideas: Memorable And Meaningful Messages

The best man's speech is a wedding highlight, but it can be a daunting task. The internet is a great resource for best men seeking advice and inspiration. Websites such as Brides, The Knot, and Hitched offer comprehensive guides, with tips on structure, content, and delivery, as well as examples of real-life speeches. For a fee, sites like All Speeches Great and Small and Bridesmaid for Hire provide speech-writing services.

How to structure your speech

The best man's speech is a chance to celebrate the couple's relationship and share some kind words about your bond with the groom. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to structure your speech:

• Introduction: Start with a killer opening line to grab the audience's attention. Introduce yourself and explain your connection to the couple. You can share a quick joke or a quote to make your introduction engaging and lighthearted.
• Thank the Previous Speakers: Show appreciation for the previous speakers, including the maid of honor and the couple's parents. This is also an opportunity to transition into your speech and give a subtle warning if your speech takes a sillier or more sentimental turn.
• Talk about the Groom's Spouse: Shower the new spouse with kind words and welcome them into the family. Highlight their positive qualities and share why you think they are a perfect match for the groom.
• Share Personal Stories: Include one or two anecdotes or memories about the groom (and optionally, their partner). Avoid long-winded stories and aim for lighthearted and humorous tales that showcase the groom's personality.
• Discuss the Couple's Relationship: Share how the couple met and how their relationship has grown. If you played a role in bringing them together, feel free to mention it. This part of the speech gives guests insight into the newlyweds' love story.
• Close with a Heartfelt Toast: Conclude your speech by asking everyone to raise their glasses and offer well wishes to the newly married couple. You can include a final joke or a meaningful marriage quote to end on a high note.

Remember to keep your speech concise, typically aiming for 3 to 5 minutes. Focus on the couple rather than your friendship with the groom, and avoid controversial topics or inappropriate jokes. Practice your speech beforehand, and don't be afraid to include some humor to keep things light and entertaining.

How to open your speech

The opening of your best man's speech is crucial for setting the tone and engaging the audience. Here are some tips and examples to help you craft a compelling introduction:

• Introduce Yourself with a Twist: Instead of a standard introduction, add a twist or a humorous element to make it more interesting. For example, "Good evening, if you don't know me by now, then you're probably at the wrong wedding. I am, of course, [your name], and I've been best friends with [groom] for 25 years."
• Crack a Joke: Lighten the mood and capture the audience's attention with a joke, even if it's a bit corny. For instance, "Hello, I'm the best man [your name]. This entire day has been beautiful so far. In fact, I'm getting emotional. The wedding cake has me in tiers."
• Be Hilarious with a Straight Face: Deliver something absurd with a straight face, and the audience will first laugh at the absurdity and then at the joke itself. For example, "Good evening, I am [your name], the best man and [relationship to groom] of [name of groom]. Tonight we're in a room full of great men—doctors, lawyers, military veterans, and successful businesspeople—yet I am the 'best.' His words, not mine."
• Introduce a Recurring Theme: Choose a theme that sums up your relationship with the groom, such as sports, college, vacations, or a mutual interest. Use your first story related to this theme as your opener.
• Ask a Question: Pose a question about the couple or your friendship with the groom, and then spend the rest of your speech answering it. For example, "Good evening. My name is [your name], and I've known [groom] for more than [#] years. As I was preparing this toast, one question consistently rang in my mind: How do I summarize a friendship that has lasted since we [when you met]?"
• Read a Dictionary Definition: Find a word that defines the couple's relationship, whether it's serious, funny, or unique to them. For instance, "Google's second definition of the word 'love' says, 'A great interest and pleasure in something or someone.' I think this is beautiful and an understatement when I think of [bride] and [groom]'s marriage."
• Tell a Story of How You Met: Share a story of how you first met the groom or a memorable early interaction. If it's a family member, share a childhood memory or a funny anecdote. "The year was 1993, and we were in kindergarten. I was building a tower of blocks when out of nowhere, they were knocked down by a classmate. That classmate was Matt, and we've been best friends ever since. And Matt, I'm sorry for throwing blocks at your head after that."
• Read Something in a Different Language: If you have international guests, consider reciting a phrase in their native language to make them feel included. You can also translate a wedding-related sentence into another language for a unique twist. "Hello and welcome to everyone in both families. In Spanish, I'd like to say, 'Me llamo Pedro y necesito que te diviertas porque esta boda es muy cara' (which means, 'I need everyone to have fun because this wedding is really expensive!')".

Remember, the introduction is just the beginning. Use these tips to capture the audience's attention and set the tone for the rest of your speech.

How to talk about the groom

The best man's speech is a chance to celebrate the groom and his new spouse. It's an opportunity to share kind words about your relationship with the couple and your best friend. While the speech should be quick and lighthearted, it still requires thoughtful words and preparation. Here are some tips on how to talk about the groom in your best man's speech:

• Share personal stories: Include one or two anecdotes or memories about the groom (and their partner). Keep the stories lighthearted and short, avoiding any that ramble on without a sentimental or funny ending. For example, "I remember when we first met in first grade. [Groom's name] had just glued his hand to his face but still used his free hand to shake my hand and ask if I wanted to be his friend."
• Focus on the couple's relationship: Speak about why the groom and their new spouse make a great couple. Share how they met and how their relationship has grown so that the guests can gain insight into the newlyweds. If you played a part in bringing them together, be sure to mention it.
• Give a special shout-out to the new spouse: Even though you likely have a closer relationship with the groom, don't forget to shower the new spouse with kind words. Talk about the qualities you admire about them and why you love having them in the groom's life.
• Avoid inappropriate topics: Stay away from mentioning the groom's ex-girlfriends or ex-wives. Also, avoid topics such as negativity about marriage, previous marriages/divorces, drinking, drugs, gambling, and adult humour or any other mention of sex.
• Add a touch of humour: It's okay to poke fun at the groom, but be sure to keep it light and tasteful. Ridicule his funny characteristics or quirks that everyone can appreciate. Avoid obscure references or inside jokes that only a few people will understand.
• Share your unique insight: Remember that you were chosen to speak because you can offer a unique perspective on the couple's relationship. Embrace this and share your personal thoughts and feelings about their bond.
• Keep it positive: Focus on the groom's positive attributes and how he has grown or changed for the better. Avoid turning the toast into a roast or making jokes at his expense.
• Don't upstage the newlyweds: Keep the speech focused on the couple rather than trying to be the star of the show. The goal is to shine a light on their relationship, not steal the spotlight.

By following these tips, you'll be well on your way to delivering a best man's speech that celebrates the groom and leaves a lasting impression.

How to talk about the couple

The best man's speech is a chance to share kind words about the couple and your best friend. It is a lighthearted moment during the reception, so while you should put effort into crafting thoughtful words, you don't have to overthink it. Here are some tips on how to talk about the couple:

• Give a special shout-out to the new spouse so they feel welcomed and included. Talk about the qualities you like about them and why you love them in the groom's life.
• Share how they first met and how their relationship has grown so that the guests can get a better insight into the newlyweds. If you helped the couple meet, you can say something like, "I know I said earlier I'm the best man, but I lied. I'm actually Cupid because I'm the one who introduced these two eight years ago."
• Focus on the newlyweds. Remember, you're giving the speech because you can shine a unique light on their relationship. If your speech is mostly about your relationship with the groom, things might get awkward.
• Deliver something more meaningful than just a string of jokes. While it's good to loosen up the crowd with humour, what makes a good best man speech is when someone shares how they genuinely feel.
• Avoid making jokes at the couple's expense. Your jokes should help people get to know the groom better, not laugh at him.
• Keep your speech focused on the couple. Even a great best man speech isn't supposed to steal the show.
• Don't embarrass the couple by sharing anything you wouldn't want their grandparents or boss to know.
• Keep your speech positive.

How to close your speech

So, you've crafted the perfect best man speech, but how do you end it? Here are some tips and examples to help you close your speech and leave a lasting impression.

Keep it Brief

A best man speech should typically be around 3-10 minutes long. So, when it comes to the ending, aim for something short and snappy. You've already got their attention, so you don't need to worry about drawing things out. A brief, well-crafted conclusion will leave a more lasting impression than a long-winded ramble.

Be Heartfelt

The best man speech is a chance to celebrate your friend and his partner. So, make sure to end on a positive note. Thank the couple and wish them well. You can also include a quote or a toast to add a thoughtful touch to your conclusion.

Tie Back to Your Introduction

Bring your speech full circle by referencing something from your introduction. This could be a joke, a story, or a theme that you can call back to at the end. This will give your speech a sense of cohesion and make it more memorable.

Thank the Bridesmaids

While it's not obligatory, it's a nice touch to include a thank you to the bridesmaids in your conclusion. It's a way to acknowledge their contribution to the wedding and show your appreciation.

Example Conclusions

• "So, here's to [Groom's Name], who still thinks 'Netflix and chill' means watching Netflix... and to [Partner's Name], who loves him anyway. May your marriage be filled with laughter, love, and slightly better communication! Cheers!"
• "To the happy couple — may your love be as enduring as [Groom's Name]'s legendary hangovers, and may your life together be filled with adventure, joy, and slightly fewer tequila shots. Cheers!"
• "Please join me in raising a glass to the happy couple - to [Name] and [Name]. May you always be friends as well as lovers."
• "Here's to a perfect couple — to a long life together filled with happiness, adventure, and lots of wonderful memories."
• "To [Name] and [Name] — here is to a lifetime of love and happiness."
• "To the two things that make a great marriage — having a good sense of humour and selective hearing. To [Name] and [Name]."
• "To the happy couple! May your marriage be as strong as the drinks in your hand. Cheers!"

Frequently asked questions