How to Write a Best Man Speech (With Real Wedding Video Examples)
Giving a best man speech is a huge honour — but it can also come with a lot of pressure. You’re expected to celebrate your best friend and his new wife, get a few laughs from the room, and deliver something genuinely heartfelt, all in just a few minutes.
It’s no surprise that many best men worry about getting the balance right. Should you be funny or serious? How do you start strong? And what’s the best way to finish on a high note?
I’m a wedding videographer with over 17 years of experience, and I’ve filmed thousands of wedding speeches. I’ve seen best man speeches that brought the room to laughter and others that left everyone wiping away tears — and I’ve learned exactly what works (and what doesn’t).
In this guide, I’ll walk you step by step through how to write and deliver a memorable best man speech. You’ll also see real wedding video examples from the best men I’ve filmed, so you can watch what works, not just read about it.
What should you include in a best man speech?
A best man speech usually follows a clear structure with five key parts:
- Introduction and welcome – introduce yourself and your connection to the groom.
- Thank-yous – acknowledge families, friends, and the wedding party.
- Stories or anecdotes – share funny or heartfelt memories about the groom.
- Compliments to the couple – highlight their relationship and why they’re a great match.
- Closing toast – end with a heartfelt wish for their future together.
This structure works because it blends humor, heart, and tradition. The introduction sets the tone, the thank-yous add respect and warmth, and the stories bring personality. Compliments remind everyone why they’re gathered to celebrate, and the final toast leaves guests smiling and ready to raise their glasses.
🎬 In the video below, you’ll see how Dylan’s speech naturally follows this format. He opens with humor, tells heartfelt stories about his friendship with JP, compliments the couple, and closes with a toast that brings the room together.
How to Start a Best Man Speech
The best way to start a best man speech is with a short, engaging introduction that immediately sets the tone. This can be a light joke, a heartfelt compliment, or a brief story about your relationship with the groom. A strong opening helps relax the room and gets the guests on your side from the start.
Opening Line Examples You Can Use
Here are proven opening lines that work, based on speeches I’ve filmed:
Funny Openings:
- “For those who don’t know me, I’m [Name], and I’ve known [Groom] since we were kids. Back then, I never imagined I’d be standing here today. Mainly because I never thought anyone would actually marry him.”
- “I’ll try to keep this brief. [Groom] gave me three rules: keep it clean, keep it short, and don’t mention [embarrassing thing]. So let me start by saying…”
- “When [Groom] asked me to be his best man, I was honored. When he asked me to give a speech, I was terrified. And when I asked ChatGPT for help, it gave me this…”
Heartfelt Openings:
- “I’ve known [Groom] for [X] years, and in that time I’ve watched him grow from [funny description] into the incredible man standing here today.”
- “There are few people in life who truly change you for the better. [Groom] is one of those people for me, and I can see [Bride] is that person for him.”
Simple Introductions:
- “Good evening, everyone. For those I haven’t met, I’m [Name], [Groom’s] best mate since [year/event]. It’s an absolute privilege to be standing here today.”
🎬 Notice how Sam’s first line immediately grabs attention. A funny, bold opening like this sets the tone for the entire speech, keeping guests engaged while still leaving room for heartfelt moments. Watch the video below to see it in action.
What to Do After Your Opening
Once you’ve opened strongly, follow this sequence:
- Thank the key people – Thank the couple, the guests, and the groom for choosing you as his best man
- Establish your connection – Share a brief story about how you met the groom or a memorable moment you’ve shared
- Transition to the couple – Mention when he first met his partner or what you noticed when they got together
This structure keeps the focus on celebrating the couple while building momentum toward your main stories.
How Long Should a Best Man Speech Be?
A best man speech should ideally be 5 to 7 minutes long, which is roughly 600–750 words when written. This gives you enough time to settle in, share a couple of meaningful stories, and finish with a heartfelt toast — without losing the room.
That said, many modern weddings are slightly shorter. A well-paced 3–4 minute speech can be just as effective, especially when it’s focused, confident, and leaves the guests wanting more.
The short best man speech below is a great example of how effective a tighter speech can be. Notice how it stays on point, allows space for laughter, and still lands with genuine emotion — all without feeling rushed.
Tips for Getting the Length Right
- Focus on one or two meaningful anecdotes, not your entire friendship history
- Build in pauses for laughter or applause — they add time naturally
- Practice out loud; five minutes feels much longer behind a microphone
- If you’re deciding what to cut, remove extra stories before trimming the emotional ending
A shorter speech delivered with genuine emotion will always outperform a longer one that feels over-rehearsed or forced. If you’re specifically looking for more real-world inspiration, you can watch several short, well-paced speeches here:
Related Article: Short Best Man Speech Examples: How to Make it Brief and Brilliant
Short best man speeches don’t have to be stressful. Learn how to craft a concise yet impactful toast. Get expert tips, templates, and examples to deliver yours.
Watch them here →How to Add Humour to a Best Man Speech
A best man speech doesn’t have to be packed with jokes to be funny. Often, a light-hearted moment or two is more effective than trying to turn the speech into a stand-up routine.
This real best man speech example shows how humour can work naturally — a quick joke about the groom’s quirks, a relatable story from their friendship, and then a sincere toast to the couple. The laughs land, but the meaning isn’t lost.
Tips for adding humour to a best man speech:
- Keep the jokes clean and avoid anything that could embarrass the bride, groom, or their families.
- Make sure the humour feels natural to you. Forced jokes are usually more awkward than funny.
- End on a positive note — a heartfelt toast to the couple ensures your speech concludes on a strong note.
Related Article: Hilarious Best Man Speech Examples to Inspire Your Epic Toast
Looking for a hilarious best man speech that gets everyone laughing? Watch real wedding speech videos and get tips from best men who nailed it.
Read the article →Common Mistakes to Avoid in a Best Man Speech
Delivering a great best man speech isn’t just about what you say — it’s also about what you don’t say. Avoiding common pitfalls ensures your speech is memorable for all the right reasons. Here are some key mistakes to watch out for:
- Inappropriate Jokes: Stay clear of jokes that could offend guests or embarrass the couple.
- Negative Stories: Avoid stories that cast the groom or anyone else in a negative light.
- Sensitive Topics: Steer clear of past relationships, family conflicts, or anything controversial.
- Long-windedness: Keep it concise — a short, well-paced speech lands better than a marathon.
- Inside Jokes: Avoid references that only a few people will understand.
- Excessive Drinking: Stay clear-headed so your delivery is smooth and confident.
Focus on positive, heartfelt, and memorable moments — this is what makes a speech stand out.
How to End a Best Man Speech
To end a best man speech, finish with a short, heartfelt toast that brings the focus back to the couple and celebrates their love. Keep your final lines simple, sincere, and uplifting — summarising your message before inviting guests to raise their glasses. Avoid adding new jokes or stories, and finish confidently with a toast such as: “To the happy couple!”
A great best man speech ending should:
- Bring it back to the couple. Remind everyone why they’re there — to celebrate love, friendship, and the start of a new chapter.
- Show heart. Even if your speech was packed with laughs, end on something meaningful. A genuine toast will always land better than one last joke.
- Keep it simple and sincere. A short, clear closing line is easier to deliver and hits harder emotionally.
🎬 Watch Doogie’s closing words — a masterclass in ending a speech with humour, sentiment, and celebration:
“So together you’re equal parts laughter and love, strength and softness, weird and wonderful. You don’t just support each other – you elevate each other. And when you find someone who sees you, who knows you, who accepts you and loves you because of who you are, well, that’s not just rare, that’s love.”
He perfectly balances humour, sentiment, and celebration — reminding everyone what love looks like, then lifting the room with a heartfelt toast.
FAQs about the Best Man Speech
A great best man speech leaves a lasting impression — and when it’s captured well, it becomes one of those moments you’ll want to relive forever. If you’re planning your own wedding and want every laugh, tear, and toast beautifully preserved, I’d love to help.
💡 For more authoritative examples of opening lines, check out Hitched.co.uk’s guide to best man speech introductions. It features over 50 funny, heartfelt, and classic intros to inspire your own speech.
