VowScript
Back to All Guides
Best Man Guide

Best Man Speech Guide

5 min read

Updated June 2023

Master the art of delivering the perfect best man speech with our comprehensive guide. From structure to etiquette, we'll help you craft a memorable toast.

Best Man delivering a speech at a wedding

Quick Summary

The perfect best man speech balances humor, heartfelt moments, and proper etiquette. It should honor the groom, welcome the bride, and celebrate their relationship—all while keeping the audience engaged. This guide will help you craft and deliver a memorable speech even if you've never spoken in public before.

Key Takeaways

  • Keep your speech between 3-5 minutes for maximum impact
  • Balance humor with heartfelt sentiment and sincerity
  • Practice your delivery multiple times before the big day
  • Focus on the couple's relationship and avoid inappropriate stories
  • End with a meaningful toast that celebrates their future together

Introduction

Being chosen as the best man is an honor—and a responsibility. Your speech is often one of the most anticipated moments of the wedding reception, and for good reason. It's your chance to toast the happy couple, share meaningful stories, and add some humor to the celebration.

This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about crafting and delivering a best man speech that will be remembered for all the right reasons.

Understanding Your Role

As best man, your speech serves several important purposes:

  • To speak on behalf of the wedding party
  • To honor the groom and welcome the bride
  • To entertain the guests with appropriate stories and humor
  • To set a positive, celebratory tone for the reception
  • To propose a meaningful toast to the couple

Remember that your audience includes everyone from the couple's grandparents to their colleagues. A successful speech is one that makes everyone feel included and celebrates the couple in a way that resonates with all attendees.

Speech Structure

A well-structured speech flows naturally and keeps the audience engaged. Here's the ideal structure for a best man speech:

Introduction

Start by introducing yourself and your relationship to the groom. Thank the couple, their parents, and the guests for being part of the celebration.

Good evening everyone. For those who don't know me, I'm [Your Name], and I've had the privilege of being James's best friend for the past 15 years...

The Groom

Share positive stories about the groom that highlight his character. Focus on his good qualities, achievements, and meaningful moments in your friendship.

I've watched James grow from the guy who couldn't boil water without setting off the fire alarm to the incredible man standing before us today...

The Couple

Talk about how they met, their relationship journey, and what makes them perfect for each other. Share observations about how they've grown together.

When James first told me about meeting Sarah, there was something different in his voice—a spark I hadn't heard before...

The Bride

Compliment the bride and welcome her to the family/friend circle. Mention how she has positively influenced the groom's life.

Sarah, you look absolutely stunning today. But what's even more beautiful is how you've brought out the best in James...

Closing Toast

End with sincere wishes for the couple's future together and invite everyone to raise their glasses for a toast.

So let's all raise our glasses to James and Sarah. May your love continue to grow stronger with each passing day, and may your lives together be filled with adventure, laughter, and endless happiness. To the bride and groom!

The Do's and Don'ts

Follow these guidelines to ensure your speech is memorable for all the right reasons and avoids common pitfalls.

DO

  • Keep it concise (3-5 minutes)
  • Start with a strong introduction and who you are
  • Include a mix of humor and sentiment
  • Talk about how the couple met and their journey
  • Compliment the bride and welcome her family
  • End with a toast to the couple's future

DON'T

  • Share embarrassing or inappropriate stories
  • Mention ex-partners or past relationships
  • Use inside jokes that exclude the audience
  • Drink too much before delivering your speech
  • Rush through or mumble your speech
  • Forget to practice beforehand

Delivery Tips

Writing a great speech is only half the battle—delivering it effectively is equally important:

  • Practice thoroughly: Rehearse your speech multiple times until you're comfortable with the content and flow.
  • Speak clearly and slowly: Nerves can make you rush, so consciously pace yourself.
  • Make eye contact: Connect with different people around the room, especially the couple.
  • Use the microphone properly: Hold it about 6 inches from your mouth and speak directly into it.
  • Be mindful of body language: Stand tall, avoid excessive gestures, and smile naturally.
  • Pause for laughter: If you include jokes, allow time for the audience to react before continuing.

Remember that slight nervousness is normal and even helps deliver a more authentic speech. The key is to be prepared so that nerves don't overwhelm you.

Conclusion

Your best man speech is a unique opportunity to honor your friend and celebrate his marriage. By following the structure and guidelines in this guide, you'll be well-prepared to deliver a speech that resonates with everyone at the reception.

Remember that authenticity is key—speak from the heart, and your sincerity will shine through. And if you're still feeling overwhelmed, our AI speech generator can help you create a personalized speech that captures your unique relationship with the groom.

Table of Contents

Related Guides

Skip the Writing Process

Let our AI generate a personalized Best Man speech based on your unique relationship with the groom.

Free Resource

Download Our Best Man Speech Template

Get our professionally crafted Best Man speech template with fill-in-the-blank sections to easily customize for your specific situation.