Best Man’s speech

The best man is usually a good friend so the speech should be funny, but be careful not to make it sound as though it’s an extension of the stag night. Think about the audience you’re speaking to before you write it. The best advice is to be yourself and try not to copy someone else’s speech.

His role is to:

Compliment the bride and groom and wish them all the best for their future life together. Thank the groom for asking him to be his best man.
Relate funny stories about the groom without being rude and be sure not to mention any previous relationships he may have had.
Relate what he knows about the bride and compliment her on her appearance.
Thank the hosts on behalf of himself and the guests.
Read out cards or messages from relatives and friends who couldn't be there.

Start Your Best Man Speech By Expressing Gratitude

Start off by giving thanks to the couple’s parents by name and offer a toast if they put the wedding and for raising 2 amazing people. Then thank all the people who helped make this day possible and then all the guests for coming.

Introduce Yourself

Being the best man, almost everyone would know who you are but introduce who you are and how you met the groom. There may be some from the other side of the wedding party who have never met you or distant relatives of the couple you have never met.

Funny Story About The Groom

This is the fun part where you tell one or two stories about the groom. Of course, everyone expects a roasting of the groom but do not go overboard (you still want to be friends with them after the wedding). Keep in mind that if the groom is to be the best man at your future wedding “paybacks a bitch” so keep that in mind. Also, do not choose stories which are just between the 2 of you. I have seen many speeches talking about in-house jokes that the guests are just not familiar with or were not explained properly.

The Story of how the groom met the bride

This is your take on how the groom and his now bride met. As the best man, you have a unique insight as you see it from the perspective of your then single friend meeting the love of his life. A good example of when I was a best man at a wedding and I gave a story of how the groom met this girl and didn’t think she was the one and that he “had enough of chicks”... 3 weeks later they were in a relationship. This can also include a quick mention of how he introduced you to her and your first impressions of her (assuming they are positive).

Finish with a quote

To wrap up your now amazing speech, end it with a quote. Try to make it specific to the couple and from the heart. It could also be a very tiny story.

Toast to the bride and groom

This is the last part, all you have to do now is raise your glasses and toast to the bride and groom.

Specific Tips For The Best Man

The below tips are specifically for the best man and his speech. These are are based on the many best man speeches I have seen in the past.

Do not get too drunk, sure have a drink as it’s a wedding. The last thing you want to see is a video of yourself “off your chops” delivering a slurred speech.

The last thing you want is a bad speech at a wedding as I tell everyone to practice. For the best man it is most important as everyone expects a fun speech. Just remember that while the groom and the inner circle get your jokes not every one will. Write to to appeal to everyone or if not everyone at least the vast majority.
“Karma is a bitch” so as stated above... tell funny stories and everyone expects a roasting. However you can easily go overboard and easily break a friendship as I have seen.
This happens rarely but enough to mention it. The speech is for the couple and not for dating. Sometimes a best man will make comments about the bridesmaids and complimenting them which is fine BUT do not go overboard. If you do then all you are doing is making the girl embarrassed (if she likes you or not) and now the whole room knows your business.

In Conclusion

That’s it and if you followed everything you will have just delivered an amazing best man speech. Just remember that the best man speech is supposed to be entertaining compared to the other speeches. That being said have fun but do not roast the groom too much otherwise a friendship may be in jeopardy.

Best Man Speech

Father Of The Bride Speech

Wedding Terms