CRAFTING THE ULTIMATE BEST MAN SPEECH: YOUR GUIDE TO PERFECTION

Much like the maid of honor, being the best man definitely comes with its share of responsibilities, as he's the one who leads all the groomsmen on the wedding day, and of course, is the individual who also plans the bachelor party. 

However, being the best man also requires delivering a best man speech at the reception, which can be pretty tricky if you're the kind of guy who isn’t too keen on writing speeches, or public speaking altogether. 

But before you resort to searching for a generic best man speech template on the internet (which can be very tempting btw!), keep in mind that writing a best man speech doesn’t have to be difficult or time consuming, as I advise crafting a humorous speech that is no longer than three minutes. 

To help you write a brief yet memorable speech that will warm the heart of your audience, below are some pointers to keep in mind as you begin to draft up some ideas. 

Photo by: Samantha Clarke Photography

What is the Goal of the Best Man Speech? 

Just like you see those wedding-themed romantic comedy films, it’s true that the best man speech is traditionally delivered during the reception. It’s helpful to think of this speech as a nice and uplifting send off before the newly wed couple embarks on the journey of married life, making it important to choose your words wisely. Of course, the goal of this speech is to tell funny anecdotes and stories (you’ll definitely want to have your audience laughing) about the groom, without exceeding a certain time limit. However, it’s important to remember that while you may share many hilarious memories with the groom, it’s important not to make the speech all about you, especially since it’s the groom’s wedding day afterall. 

Photo by: Joseph Lin Photography

What Should the Best Man Speech Look Like? 

While a good best man’s speech keeps things funny and sweet, it may be helpful for some individuals to follow a structure. Doing so, can help keep your speech organized and on point. 

To organize your speech like a pro, I advise starting off with some childhood memories (if you share any), and then progressing to touch about how the groom felt when he first met the bride. 

You’ll definitely want to be sure to include her in your speech, as the wedding day itself is all about celebrating their unison. 

Photo by: Jaymo James

Here Are Some Things to Avoid in Your Speech.

Keeping your speech short and humorous is important, but you won’t want to share any embarrassing or incriminating stories that could potentially make the groom bad. 

Yes, ‘that one time in college’ may be a funny story you two share, but it’s best to omit these kinds of details, especially since his parents and future in-laws will be listening. 

And of course, mentioning previous girlfriends in your speech is a major no-no. Besides, do you really want to see the bride angry on her wedding day?

 Photo by: Kseniya Berson Photography

You Don’t Have to Memorize Your Speech!

Sure, that college public speaking class may have taught you remembering any kind of speech is important when engaging with your audience. However, when it comes to the best man speech, I feel that it’s totally OK to read things off paper. 

Of course, that doesn’t mean you can read off whatever comes to mind, as you’ll always want to ensure your speech is structured. That way you don’t go off base, or say things you are not supposed to.

Thank you for reading!

Until next time,

Ciao!

Björn VW

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