Mastering the Art of the Best Man Speech: Your Ultimate Guide

Giving the best man speech is a great honor, but it also comes with a big responsibility of delivering a speech that celebrates your best friend (and his wife) while entertaining the guests.

Many best men feel overwhelmed by the pressure to be funny. They often struggle with where to begin, how to read the room, and how to be authentic.

I’ve been a wedding videographer for over 17 years and I’ve captured thousands of speeches. Of course, I’ve witnessed best man speeches in person, but I’ve also used these words when creating wedding films for my couples.

I know what works and what doesn’t.

This guide will not only give you a step-by-step process to follow, but you will also see how it all comes together through video examples from real best men who wowed the crowd and nailed their speeches.

How to Start the Best Man Speech

The ideal 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.

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Who does the best man thank in his speech?

In his speech, the best man typically thanks several key individuals and groups. These often include:

1. The Groom: For choosing him as the best man and for their friendship.
2. The Bride: For welcoming him into her and the groom’s lives.
3. The Guests: For attending and celebrating the wedding.
4. The Parents of the Bride and Groom: For raising such wonderful individuals and for their support.
5. The Bridesmaids: For their support and help throughout the wedding.

These acknowledgments help the best man show gratitude and respect to the important people involved in the wedding.

Related article: Best Man Speech Tips from Real Best Men: How They Prepared & Delivered

What do you include in your best man speech?

Start your best man speech by introducing yourself and explaining your relationship to the groom. This helps everyone understand who you are and why you’ve been given the honor of being the best man. Follow this with some opening remarks, thanking everyone for being there and expressing how honored you feel to stand up there.

Acknowledgments: It’s important to thank the hosts, typically the bride’s and groom’s families, for organizing the wonderful event. Compliment the bride and groom, mentioning how beautiful the bride looks. This sets a positive tone and shows your respect for both families.

Stories about the Groom: Share a few light-hearted and appropriate anecdotes about the groom. These stories should highlight his character, values, and friendship. Choose funny but not embarrassing stories that showcase some of the groom’s best qualities, such as his kindness, loyalty, or sense of humor.

The Couple’s Story: Briefly recount how the couple met and their relationship developed. This is a great way to show the audience why the couple is so special. Discuss why they make a great match and how they complement each other. Highlighting their compatibility can add a heartfelt touch to your speech.

Advice and Good Wishes: If you have any advice for the newlyweds, keep it light and positive. This section can be a mix of sincere thoughts and light-hearted humor. Offer your heartfelt wishes for their future together, expressing your hopes for their happiness and success in their married life.

Closing: Summarize your speech with a final thought or wish. This could be a personal reflection on love and marriage or a simple, heartfelt message to the couple. Conclude by raising a toast to the newlyweds, wishing them love, happiness, and a wonderful life together.

Tips for a Great Best Man Speech

• Keep it Short: Aim for 5-7 minutes.
• Be Sincere: Speak from the heart.
• Stay Appropriate: Avoid inside jokes, ex-partners, or anything too embarrassing.
• Practice: Rehearse your speech several times.
• Stay Calm: Take deep breaths, and remember that it’s okay to be a little nervous.

How long should a speech be for a best man?

The perfect best man speech strikes a delicate balance – long enough to tell meaningful stories, yet brief enough to leave the audience wanting more. Aim for 5 to 7 minutes, about 750 words when written out. This sweet spot gives you time to warm up the crowd, share a few choice stories, and land an emotional finish without testing anyone’s attention span.

Think of your speech like a great pop song: it needs a strong opening hook, a memorable chorus (your main message about the couple), and a finale that brings down the house. As you write, focus on stories that capture your relationship with the groom and highlight the couple’s connection. Whether it’s the hilarious tale of how you met, or the moment you knew your friend had found “the one,” choose anecdotes that paint a picture and stir emotions.

Remember, it’s not just what you say, but how you say it. Practice your delivery until the words flow naturally. Build in strategic pauses after funny lines to let the laughter breathe, and after touching moments to let them sink in. Record yourself to fine-tune your timing – you might be surprised how different five minutes feel when you’re behind the microphone.

Most importantly, speak from the heart. A shorter speech delivered with genuine emotion will always outshine a longer one that feels scripted. Your role is to celebrate your friend’s happiness and welcome a new member to your extended family. Keep that purpose in mind, and you’ll find the right words come naturally.

Key Considerations:

• Focus on meaningful anecdotes and heartfelt messages.
• Include moments for laughter or applause.
• Rehearse to gauge length and ensure smooth delivery.
• Prioritize impactful content over length.
• Create an emotional connection with the audience and the couple.

A concise, well-delivered speech makes a lasting impact. If this is what you’re aiming for here’s another article with more tips about keeping your best man toast short but brilliant including video examples.

Hilarious Best Man speech example

This best man speech example shows that a toast can be lighthearted and full of laughs without sacrificing its impact. A quick joke or two about the groom’s quirks, a funny story about your friendship, and some good wishes for the couple can leave a lasting impression.

Here are some additional tips for adding humor to your best man speech:

• Keep the jokes clean and avoid anything that might offend the bride, groom, or their families.
• Make sure the humor feels natural to your personality. Don’t try to be a comedian if it’s not your strong suit.
• End on a positive note. A quick toast to the happy couple ensures your speech leaves everyone smiling.

FAQs about the Best Man Speech

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Photos in this article courtesy of Ben & Hope Photography.