So, your friend's wedding is approaching, and he asked you to serve as his best man? You're excited, but you have some doubts about the best man's speech. Believe me when I say that writing the best man's speech is a lot easier than you would reckon. If you're wondering about where to begin, what to write, and what not to include in your best man's speech, you're in the right place. Once you have finished reading this blog, your speech should be impressive and memorable on your friend's wedding day.
Let's begin with some basics.
Who is the best man in most cases?
The Groom's best man is a close friend or even a distant relative most of the time. It could be the Groom's father or uncle, but it could also be a brother, childhood friend, or cousin.
Is it possible to have two best men?
Yes, you certainly can. From an etiquette sense, having two best men is absolutely fine.
How to write the perfect best man speech?
For a terrific wedding speech, you have to follow a few easy principles. Here are some ideas of what not to say in a best man speech.
6 Dos for best man's speech
- Prepare your speech in advance (consider the framework of your best man speech, and decide on a formal or humorous approach) and then rehearse it.
- Keep your speech to five minutes or fewer and use jokes to tell a brief story (2 or 3 will be enough).
- Memorize your speech. Do not read off of the paper. Let it flow.
- Get emotive at some point, give praises to the bride.
- Finally, a message of hope (end your speech with love quotes or wishes for the happy couple).
- Thank you for everything you have (express gratitude towards the couple, their family, and anyone who helped make the wedding happen).
5 Don’ts for best man's speech
- Do not cross the 2-5 mins time limit.
- Do not make it about you.
- Avoid dirty jokes.
- Do not overlook the bride. Let her know how happy you are, that she is ending up with your friend.
- Avoid rude remarks. Keep your politeness in check, even if it’s for a day.
How to create a perfect outline for best man's speech?
When preparing the speech outline for your Best Man address, include the following aspects to involve everyone, letting one and all feel that they are important participants in the celebrations for the newlywed couple:
1. Start with something interesting
Your Best Man speech should begin with a statement that piques the audience's interest. If you take a romantic approach to start a speech, you might start with a phrase like, “True love wins all,” and then enumerate the different ways the Groom has won all through his true love for his Bride her attention and affections.
If some of the Groom's favorite hip singer-songwriters date back to the 1960s and '70s, you can quote from Bob Dylan: “Kiss, hold, keep, and ever” are just a few of the many four-letter words that describe the intense emotions of true love.
Be focused and smart with the use of words, and you will gain better engagement with your audience. If your tastes (or the tastes of the newlyweds) are considerably more classical, you can start by quoting the popular line from Elizabeth Barrett Browning: How much do I love thee? Let me recount my affections for thee.
This iconic line has been repeated in various forms by countless poets and songwriters ever since, so have no fear of defining yourself as an egghead when quoting it. This opening line will also provide you a chance to mention the primary traits and attributes of the Bride.
2. Thank other speakers at the wedding
Thanking the other speakers for their contributions is always good and appreciated. These speakers normally include the Maid of Honor and the Bride's Father and any other members of the wedding party that the Bride and Groom ask to speak.
Whatever the quality of their remarks, how well they speak, or whether or not they know what the ideal best man speeches for brother are, it is always polite to thank them for their participation in this momentous day. Never criticize or make jokes about what they say or how they say it. Write to thank your gratitude in a respectful manner and then move on with your remarks, as you are well-versed in the art of crafting a best man speech.
3. Congratulate the new couple
Congratulate the newlyweds on the beginning of their new wedding together. This is the appropriate moment to tell the guests how you met your fantastic friend, the Groom. If you happen to be the Groom's brother or cousin, you can recreate moments of humor from your younger years together or shared experiences of tension or intrigue. You may even borrow an idea or two from a father of the bride speech template for complimenting the Bride.
It's fine to make jokes about the Groom in your best man speech, as long as you keep the speech's structure and content clean and appropriate. Everyone appreciates a long-term secret disclosed as an interesting tell-tale about the Groom, but it should be given with grace and panache to fit the fashion and flair of this unique event. There are myriads of inspirational speech topics that will suit this joyful event.
4. Compliment the Bride
When it comes to writing your best man speech, it's time to go all-out and lavish praise on the Bride. Draw attention to and praise her best attributes, skills, and accomplishments. Let the wedding guests know how true you are of your best friend's, blood brother's, or another close relative's new wife with words of honesty.
Let them know exactly how pleased you are to celebrate the marriage of these two unique individuals whom you consider so highly. Then give the Bride another lovely complement utilizing top-quality speech writing suggestions.
5. Read messages from absent guests
Take time to read some notes from guests who could not attend the wedding. This gesture is always appreciated by the missing guests and the Bride and Groom alike. It also offers their congratulations, thoughts, and best wishes for the newlyweds in the day's major festivities.
6. Try a famous quote or poem
Recite a well-known statement or poetry to captivate your attentive wedding guests further. Thanks to this addition, the newlyweds' post-wedding celebrations will have a literary flair. Other templates, like a collection of groomsmen speech samples, may be useful.
You may choose a quotation from the Groom's favorite writer, artist, scientist, philosopher, business tycoon, or sports person, or just pick a best man speech quote that matches the occasion. Again, make it pleasant, concise, and to the point, so everyone there can enjoy the whole meaning and aim. You may discover acceptable sentences in a skillfully crafted brother of the bride speech.
7. Propose a toast to the wedding couple
Raise your glass of champagne so the guests may excitedly follow your example as you make a passionate toast of hopeful good wishes for the superb health, expanding fortune, and eternal happiness of the newlyweds.
Best man speech jokes are true if delivered with honesty and vigor. Remember that you speak for all the well-wishers in the crowd who want all the best for this freshly wedded Bride and Groom, so put your best energy, enthusiasm, and abilities for effective elocution into this highlighted Grand Finale.
How to plan for the perfect best man's speech?
1. Plan in advance.
Unless you've accepted a last-minute offer to be Best Man at a wedding party or are filling in for someone else, you should start planning your Best Man remarks at least two months before the wedding day. Before the wedding, you may have a busy work or school schedule, as well as unforeseen occurrences on your plate.
You must also attend suit or tux fittings, as well as different parties and get-together activities involving the wedding party, including the Groom's “Bachelor Party,” in the days leading up to the wedding date. You will be more relaxed in the days leading up to the special occasion and use your introduction speech sample if you prepare your speech well in advance of the special day. Remember that there are numerous ways to start a speech.
2. Joke about the Groom
Making jokes about the Groom in your Best Man remarks is totally acceptable and even expected. You will thrill and entertain the guests without insulting or embarrassing the wedding couple if you do it in good spirit, with hilarious wit, or by reliving moments of hilarity owing to errors or failures on the part of the Groom.
On this very special day, however, the Bride is above blame, criticism, or amusing finger-pointing. While the Groom is open to light, fun-loving criticizing, joke-making, and laughter, she is to be respected, thanked, and congratulated. Because you know how to write excellent best man remarks, keep your remarks emotive, engaging, and classy from beginning to start.
3. Rehearse your speech
Practice your speech in front of an audience several times. This can help you prepare for giving a well-articulated, meaningful presentation on the wedding day, even if your audience is your young son or daughter or your devoted cat and dog.
Making a video of yourself giving your talk with your phone, tablet, or laptop can be very useful for studying your performance and improving your tone and general delivery. You can also acquire vital input for giving an unrivaled, star-studded Best Man speech by emailing or texting it to a trusted friend.
4. Make notes after writing
You will gain more from reading and rehearsing delivering your speech if you write it out completely. If you have a good, trustworthy memory, giving your wedding speech from memory is fine. Most Best Man speakers, on the other hand, believe that memorizing the important points, emotions, and points of their speech and then speaking from the heart produces a more persuasive and meaningful presentation.
If you're worried about forgetting important sections of your speech, keep small notes on your phone to review before speaking. For quick prompting, some speakers utilize small notes the size of post-its that can fit discreetly in the palm of your hand.
5. Vary Your Pace, Tone, And Emotion
You can attract and hold your audience's attention by changing the pace of your speech, as well as its tonalities and emotions. Some sections of your speech will flow easier if you speak quickly, but others will have more significance and worth if you speak slowly.
The emotional content as it relates to the Bride and Groom on their wedding day will also benefit from the varied pacing of your words. The wedding guests will understand the true feelings your speech is supposed to portray when you vary the tone of your delivery, and they will become totally attentive and sensitive to your thoughts and expressions.
6. Speak clearly and confidently
The guests will pay close attention to your words if you deliver them with genuine confidence and clarity. Sincerity is contagious, and your audience will pick up on and accept your passionate feelings for the Groom, whether he is a long-time best friend or a devoted brother.
They will also respond warmly to your respect and praise for the Bride, as well as your excitement at this unique, special couple's marriage, especially if you speak clearly and concisely with true conviction and honesty.
7. Always have a backup plan.
It's always a good idea to have a Plan B in mind as a speaker. Let's say you misplace your speech or notes on your way to the wedding ceremony and reception. Perhaps you forgot your mobile phone with wedding speech notes at home due to your excitement about the upcoming wedding day events, or perhaps you opened your car windows and your speech or notes blew away.
In any situation, you should always be prepared with a hand-up plan. You can always compliment the Bride and tell a hilarious anecdote or joke about the Groom, then invite the guests to join in celebrating the newlywed pair. Everyone will be happy and grateful, oblivious to your misfortune.
Examples of Best Man Speech (Templates)
The following are templates from “Best Man Speeches” that would make outstanding Best Man speeches at any after-wedding celebration, dinner, or party:
THE “GREAT FLAME” SPEECH
“I’m so happy to see that everyone is having such a great time tonight! [Bride] & [Groom] really know how to throw a party, don’t they?
They also know how to light a fire. Dante once said, “A great flame follows a little spark,” and we’ve all seen that spark since the very beginning. And tonight, we see the fire.
Cheers to the happy couple, may the flame burn long, and sparks continue to fly!”
THE “BROTHER” SPEECH
“[Groom] is my brother, so naturally, I have the long list of blackmail quality ammunition to scatter throughout this speech tonight. Don’t get scared, though [Groom], I’ll keep 2005 under wraps and not mention it.
But seriously, when we were younger, we’d do everything together. Attached at the hip, even when we were in a fight, it wasn’t until college that we parted and went down our separate paths. We grew up, started our careers, and he found [Bride]. And I couldn’t be more thankful for you [Bride] and couldn’t be happier for the two of you.
We’re gaining such a beautiful new family member today. You look stunning tonight, sister. Congratulations, I wish you a lifetime of love and happiness. Cheers!”
THE “GREAT MAN” SPEECH”
“What a night it has been! Will everyone please raise their glasses as I toast to [Bride] & [Groom]?
Although my first thought today was, if I’m the best man here, why is [Groom] getting to marry [Bride]?
On a more serious note, [Groom] you’re not only a great man, you really are the best man for [Bride]. And she is the best woman for you. I could sing both your praises all evening, but since I’m a terrible singer, I’ll leave that up to the band and allow everyone to keep their eardrums intact. I’m honored to be by your side today [Groom]; I wish you many years of happiness. Salute!”
SHORT BEST MAN SPEECH EXAMPLES
A great best man speech doesn’t have to be long to pack a punch. Add a clever one-liner with a few thoughtful sentiments, and you can get the job done while making it memorable. Here are some incredible examples of short best man speeches.
“Good evening, everyone! Let’s lift our glasses and toast to the newlyweds!
Don’t worry; your arms won’t get tired. My speech is going to be like a mini-skirt: long enough to cover the essentials and short enough to hold your attention.
[Groom], thank you for being such a stable force in my life, a great friend and an even better brother. [Bride], I think we can all agree that you’re stunning this evening and [Groom] won the lottery.
[Bride] & [Groom], tonight we celebrate you. We all wish you a lifetime of happiness, love, health, success, and laughter. May you continue to find humor in the bad and appreciation for the good. May your friendship continue to grow throughout all the years to come. Cheers!”
WITTY BEST MAN SPEECH
“Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. My name is X, and I was chosen as [Groom’s] best man. Now, the more I think about that title, the more uncomfortable I get. It sort of implies that [Groom] has lots and lots of men, and I’ve been dubbed the favorite of the bunch. If it wasn’t for [Bride], I’d be watching my back later tonight but also a bit flattered, admittedly.
[Groom] and I grew up together. But we weren’t actually friends until we hit high school. And we didn’t become best friends until our 20’s. He needed to grow up a bit before I could take our relationship to the next level.
On a more serious note, this man is one of the highest-quality people I know. You’ve snagged yourself a good one here [Bride]. Hardworking, clever, and he’s a handsome devil too; I have no doubt that he’ll be a great husband and an even better father.
[Bride] balances his awesomeness out quite well. She’s beautiful, obviously. But getting to know her over the years, I’ve found her to be just as hardworking but also an amazing example of what it is to have a kind, giving heart. I watched [Groom] change for the better when they started dating. She softened him. And now look at them; they’re happy, wide-eyed newlyweds that we’re toasting to tonight.
[Groom], I’ll leave you with a little bit of advice that my father gave me the morning of my wedding.
“A real man never stops trying to show a woman how much she means to him, even after he’s got her.”
I wish you years and years of happiness and love. Never stop going the extra mile for one another. When you feel yourself getting a bit too comfortable and complacent, remember that quote. Spice things up, do small things for one another, and always remind the other of how much you love them.
Cheers to you!”
