Make the Best of Your Best Man Speech

You get a call from your best bro and he asks you to meet up for a drink and watch the game. Sounds like a pretty normal Friday night, but this is a Tuesday and he says he has something to talk to you about.

It’s nothing that he can ask you over the phone, hence the clandestine meeting over a beer and wings. You rush downtown and find him at the bar amongst several empty bottles pale-faced, sweating, and whoa, has he been crying? You automatically think the worst – fired from his job, deadly diagnosis, or shudder to think, he’s a closet Yankees’ fan!!!

Then he breaks the news: he asked his long suffering girl to marry him and he is choosing you as his best man. It’s now you that starts to feel pale and sweaty. You have to make a speech in front of everyone at this wedding and suddenly, it’s you that feels a tear in your eye.

It really is an honorable position. Your best friend since little league has asked you to stand beside him and be his support as he finishes his last leg as a free man. It can’t be all that bad, right? I mean, you get to put together a bachelor party. We all saw “The Hangover,” and that ended up all well and good; sort of.

But eventually the big day will be here for all of you, when you have to stand up and give a verbal diatribe of all the great times (ok, maybe not all of them) you shared with him growing up and some words of wisdom to your friend and his new brides future.

The keys to delivering a great and memorable Best Man speech is to keep it light hearted, entertaining, and best of all, brief. Exude confidence, positivity, and remember to speak upso all can hear you. Let’s build a plan to get you well on your way to making the (best) Best Man speech, ever.

First off, make notes that you will be able to quickly scan while making your speech. Believe me, you are not going to be able to wing it or it will be memorable for a FAR different reason. Things like, how long have you known the couple. What was your buddy like before he met his bride? (Keep it clean) If you are married, maybe give some advice for the newlyweds.

Introduction

Introduce yourself! Not everyone is going to know who you are. To get people’s attention, you might insert a quick joke here or a quote about marriage. Remember to keep it light-hearted and don’t try to go for the big laugh. Remember, this is still their day. Before you get too far always thank the people hosting, (probably his/her parents). If the married couple is paying for it, you might want to throw in a quick jab about the whole “no open bar” thing.

Body

This is where those notes you wrote down before will come in handy. Tell a quick funny story about the bride and/or groom. Give your thoughts on how you see the change in your best friends smile when he talks about his wife. Or tell that story that only you and the bride & groom know about. Your audience will feel like they are part of the couples love story if told right. Although the groom is your buddy, keep the toast about them both as much as possible. Again, be quick and to the point. Use your most sincere voice and all eyes (and ears) are yours.

Finale and Toast

Finish up with asking everyone to join you in lifting a glass to toast the new couple. This is a key part of the whole toast for you, the Best Man. Everyone will be waiting for the celebratory “Cheers” or “Salut” so they can start the celebration. Just say something simple such as, “I wish you two the best of luck and blessed wishes. And although your lives may have many ups and downs, I hope most of them are under the sheets! SALUTE!!” Raise your drink and be sure to taste your own toast. It’s bad luck if you don’t.

Great job! Now hurry back to the party and get your groove on with that cute bridesmaid, will ya?