How to Deliver the Best Man Speech of Your Life

best man speech

Giving the best man speech is a great honor, but it also comes with a big responsibility: delivering a speech that celebrates the newlyweds and entertains the guests. No pressure, right?

If you’re feeling nervous about your best man speech, don’t worry. You’re not alone. Many people struggle with public speaking, especially when it comes to expressing their emotions and making people laugh.

But don’t panic. I’m here to help you write a best man speech that will make you look like a star. In this article, I’ll share with you some tips and examples from the weddings I’ve filmed as a professional videographer. You’ll see how other best men have nailed their speeches with humor, sincerity, and style.

By the end of this article, you’ll have everything you need to craft your own killer best man speech that will impress the bride and groom, and make the guests smile. Let’s get started!

Table of Contents

How to Start the Best Man Speech

The best way to start a best man speech is with a captivating introduction. This could be a humorous anecdote, a heartfelt compliment, or an inspiring quote about friendship or marriage. It’s also a good idea to express gratitude to those who made the wedding possible and to the groom for choosing you as his best man.

Following this, you can share a short, engaging story about your relationship with the groom, perhaps recounting how you met, a memorable shared experience, or when he first met his bride. Remember, the goal is to celebrate the couple, so keep it light, fun, and heartfelt.

  • Humorous Anecdote: Share a funny story about the groom or the couple’s relationship that will immediately grab everyone’s attention.
  • Thought-Provoking Quote: Begin with a meaningful quote that reflects the essence of love, friendship, or marriage.
  • Personal Introduction: Introduce yourself and establish a connection with the audience by sharing a brief personal story involving the groom.

Who does the best man thank in his speech?

The best man is a person who has a close relationship with the groom, such as a friend or a brother. He is usually chosen by the groom to be his right-hand man during the wedding and to give a speech at the reception. The best man’s speech is an opportunity to express his gratitude, admiration, and humor to the people who are important to the groom and the bride. In his speech, the best man should thank the following people:

  • The people who made the day possible, especially the bride and groom’s parents by name. He should offer a toast to them for raising two fine people and putting on the wedding.
  • The guests for coming and sharing the special occasion with the couple.
  • The venue staff for their wonderful service.
  • The bride and her attendants for looking gorgeous. He may also compliment the mothers of the newlyweds as well.
  • The groom for choosing him as the best man and for being a great friend or brother.
  • The groom’s new spouse for making him happy and being a perfect match for him.

Related: How to Write a Funny and Heartfelt Maid of Honor Speech

what do you say at your brother’s wedding?

If you are going to give a speech at your brother’s wedding, you may want to say something that expresses your love, pride, and happiness for him and his new spouse. You may also want to share some funny or touching memories of your brother, and how he has changed or grown over the years.

In the video, you can see Dylan, the groom’s best man and brother, getting emotional as he shares a touching story from their childhood. He reveals something that Luke did for him that he never forgot, and that shaped his life. I won’t spoil it for you, but you have to watch it for yourself.

“Bar the birth of my children and of course getting married to my beautiful wife, who is here to hear me say that, that moment is one of my most cherished memories.”

“Luke you’re an amazing big brother and it’s incredible to see the man you’ve become. You’ll make an incredible husband and an even better father.”

What do you include in your best man speech?

As the best man, you have the opportunity to impart some wisdom and offer valuable advice to the newlyweds. Use this section to provide insights that will resonate with the couple and serve as a guiding light for their future:

  • Lessons from Marriage: Share lessons you’ve learned from your own experiences or from observing successful marriages, focusing on love, communication, and compromise.
  • Encourage Adventure: Inspire the couple to embark on new adventures together, encouraging them to explore the world, create memories, and face challenges as a team.
  • Express Confidence: Convey your belief in the couple’s ability to overcome any obstacle and build a strong, lifelong partnership.

What makes a good best man speech?

A good best man speech is one that is personal, sincere, and heartwarming. It should be a celebration of the bride and groom’s relationship, and it should express the speaker’s love and respect for the couple.

Here are some specific tips for writing and delivering a good best man speech:

  • Start with a strong opening. This could be a funny joke, a meaningful quote, or a personal anecdote about the groom. The goal is to grab the audience’s attention and set the tone for the speech.
  • Share stories about the groom. This is your chance to paint a picture of the groom’s personality and character. Talk about his strengths, his quirks, and the things that make him special. You can also share stories about the bride and groom’s relationship, and how they have grown together over time.
  • Be sincere and genuine. The best speeches come from the heart. Avoid using clichés or over-the-top language. Instead, focus on speaking honestly about your feelings for the bride and groom.
  • Keep it light and upbeat. This is a happy occasion, so your speech should be too. Avoid making any negative or embarrassing comments. If you do tell a joke, make sure it is clean and appropriate for the audience.
  • End with a toast. This is your chance to raise a glass to the happy couple and wish them all the best for the future.

Here are some additional tips to keep in mind:

  • Be prepared. Practice your speech beforehand so that you can deliver it confidently.
  • Pace yourself. Don’t rush through your speech. Take breaks between sentences and paragraphs to let your words sink in.
  • Make eye contact. This will help to connect with your audience and make your speech more engaging.
  • Speak clearly and slowly. This will ensure that everyone can understand you.
  • Smile and have fun! The audience will be able to tell if you are enjoying yourself, so make sure to smile and let your personality shine through.

With a little preparation and practice, you can deliver a best man speech that will be remembered for years to come.

best man speech examples

How do I deliver my speech confidently?

The best way to deliver your speech confidently is to practice it beforehand and know your material inside and out. You should also try to relax and enjoy yourself. Remember, the audience is there to support you and celebrate the couple.

Here are some additional tips for writing a great best man speech:

  • Write out your speech in advance and practice it multiple times. This will help you feel more comfortable with the material and less likely to forget what you want to say.
  • Visualize yourself giving the speech successfully. Imagine yourself standing in front of the crowd, speaking confidently and clearly. This will help to boost your confidence and reduce your anxiety.
  • Focus on the positive. Remember that everyone there is there to celebrate the happy couple, and they want you to do well. Focus on the fact that you are sharing special stories and memories about your friend and that the audience will appreciate your efforts.
  • Take deep breaths and relax your body. If you start to feel nervous, take a few deep breaths and focus on relaxing your muscles. This will help to calm your nerves and make it easier to speak clearly.
  • Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Everyone makes mistakes, and the audience is more likely to forgive you if you make a small mistake than if you stand there awkwardly for a long period of time. If you do make a mistake, simply laugh it off and move on.

What is an example of roasting the groom?

To make your best man speech truly exceptional, strive to engage and connect with the audience throughout. The best man in the video above went to the extreme by roasting the groom with some cringe-worthy stories, but he knew the crowd and completely owned his delivery to the delight of everyone gathered.

Despite the epic roasting, he did finish his speech with a positive and heartfelt message to his best friend.

“I couldn’t ask for a better mate over the years. Josh and Jordan make such a good couple. They’re both such caring people they want nothing more than to spend time with mates and their family and their dogs

“It’s been a real pleasure getting to know Jordan over the last couple of years. I’d like to say a massive congrats to you both and I wish you both all the happiness. I’m sure you’ll continue to kill it in the future and I’m looking forward to sharing plenty of fun times along the way.”

FAQs about the Best Man Speech

To conclude your best man speech on a high note, raise a heartfelt toast to the couple’s love and happiness. Keep the following tips in mind:

  • Prepare in Advance: Practice your toast to ensure it flows smoothly and strikes the right emotional chords.
  • Keep it Concise: Avoid rambling and keep your toast short and sweet, focusing on the couple and their future together.
  • Express Well-Wishes: Express your sincere well-wishes for their happiness, love, and a lifetime of beautiful memories.
  • Encourage Participation: Invite the guests to join you in raising their glasses and toasting to the couple’s everlasting love.

Yes, it is absolutely acceptable to read a wedding speech, including the best man’s speech. Many people feel more comfortable and confident when they have their speech written down in front of them, ensuring they don’t forget important points or become too nervous.

The best man traditionally gives his speech at the wedding reception after dinner and before the cake cutting. This is the time when guests are seated and relaxed, and they can focus on listening to the speeches. It is also a good time to give the speeches before the dance floor opens up so that guests can enjoy the rest of the evening without having to worry about missing anything.

Of course, the specific timing of the speeches can vary depending on the couple’s preferences and the overall flow of the reception. For example, if the couple is having a first dance before dinner, the speeches may be given afterward. Or, if the couple is having a late-night reception, the speeches may be given earlier in the evening.

The ideal length of a best man’s speech is between 3 and 5 minutes. This is enough time to say something meaningful without getting boring. However, you can adjust the length depending on the formality of the wedding and your own comfort level.

Photos by Ben & Hope Photography

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