As the best man, you have a big responsibility to give a memorable and entertaining speech at the wedding. Your speech should be personal, heartfelt, and funny, but it should also be appropriate for the occasion (this isn’t anyone’s 21st!) Here are some tips on how to write a best man speech that will leave a lasting impression on the bride, groom, and guests.
For great tips on actually delivering your wedding speech check out How To Give a Wedding Speech which includes a video guide.
1. How to Write a Best Man Speech? Start Early
One of the biggest mistakes that best men make is waiting until the last minute to write their speeches. Don’t make this mistake. Start writing your speech at least a few weeks before the wedding. This will give you enough time to brainstorm, write, and revise your speech.Â
And whatever you do, don’t plan to do it off the cuff! Those speeches rarely end well.
2. Introduce Yourself
The first thing you should do in your best man speech is introduce yourself. Many of the guests may not know who you are, so it’s important to give a brief introduction. You should also mention your relationship with the groom and how long you’ve known each other.
3. Tell Fun Stories
One of the best ways to engage the audience is to tell stories about the groom. You can share funny, embarrassing, or heartwarming stories about your experiences with the groom. Just make sure that the stories are appropriate for the occasion and don’t embarrass the groom or bride (too much :).
And be sure to make the stories about the groom, not so much about yourself.
4. Mention the Bride
Don’t forget to mention the bride in your speech. You can talk about how you met her, your first impressions of her, or how she has changed the groom for the better. This will show the bride that you appreciate her and welcome her into the family and friend group.
5. Be Personal
Your best man speech should be personal and heartfelt. Don’t be afraid to express your emotions and show your love for the groom. You can talk about how much he means to you, how he has helped you, or how he has inspired you. Just be sincere and honest.
6. Use Humor
Humor is an important part of a best man speech. You can use funny anecdotes, jokes, or one-liners to keep the audience entertained. Just make sure that your humor is appropriate for the occasion and doesn’t offend anyone.
7. Keep it Short
Your best man speech should be short and sweet. You don’t want to bore the guests or make the groom uncomfortable. A good rule of thumb is to keep your speech between three and five minutes. This will give you enough time to say what you need to say without dragging it out.
8. Practice, Practice, Practice
Once you have written your best man speech, it’s important to practice it. Practice in front of a mirror, with a friend, or in front of a camera. This will help you become more comfortable with your speech and improve your delivery. You should also time yourself to make sure that your speech fits within the allotted time.Â
Just another mention, that off-the-cuff speeches are usually well rehearsed – rarely (if ever) does someone pull off a speech they have not prepared. Very few people can even pull off a speech they have prepared!
9. Be Prepared for the Toast
At the end of your best man speech, you will need to propose a toast to the newlyweds. Make sure that you have a glass of champagne or wine ready for the toast. You should also make sure that you know what you want to say before you raise your glass.
10. Relax and Enjoy Yourself
Finally, remember to relax and enjoy yourself. The wedding day can be stressful, but your best man speech should be a time to celebrate the groom and his new spouse. Don’t worry too much about making mistakes or forgetting your lines. Just be yourself and have fun.
In conclusion, writing a best man speech can be a daunting task, but with these tips, you can create a memorable and entertaining speech that will make the wedding day even more special. Remember to start early, tell stories, be personal, use humor, keep it short, practice, be prepared for the toast, and most importantly, relax and enjoy yourself.
Special Thanks
Photographer: Matt Godkin
Celebrant: Marry Us Gary
Marriage Celebrant
Gary is dedicated to ensuring that wedding officiants and wedding emcees like you excel in creating unforgettable wedding experiences! With a passion for celebrations, he is an enthusiastic, down-to-earth, and fun Wedding Celebrant and Professional Wedding MC, operating in Australia.
Count on Gary to provide expert guidance and a relaxed approach to help you deliver remarkable ceremonies and receptions. His goal is to empower you to curate the best possible wedding day for couples, where every detail is thoughtfully arranged, and the party atmosphere is electrifying!
