Wedding Times

We’ve all been to weddings where everyone has gushed the entire evening over the best man’s speech and how it was funny and witty yet touching and sentimental all at the same time. But giving speeches is not so easy for everybody and the chances are good that you’ll be quite nervous while you’re standing up in front of everyone with the pressure on so it’s important to remember a few tips to make sure that you’re cool and calm and that everyone spends the evening raving about your speech (well, and the bride of course!)

Do it Ahead of Time

You don’t want to be in the limo or at the back of the church trying to scrawl out some thoughts for your speech. The best speeches are those that seem like they’re natural, off-the-cuff, and from the heart. The trick to delivering this kind of speech is that they take a long time to prepare. As soon as you’re asked to be the best man, start jotting down some thoughts for your speech and then add to them throughout the wedding planning process. Maybe the mother-of-the-bride told you a funny story from her childhood and the groom has a similar one. You can talk about how they were destined to be together before they even met.

Anecdotes

Telling stories of the bride and groom is always a sure way to get a laugh and to break the ice. It can make the guests feel closer to the couple and can give the couple some good times to think back on during their special day. Just remember to keep them funny and light-hearted, this is not the time for inappropriate jokes. Any jokes that will offend or embarrass anybody, even slightly, are off limits. This means no references to any of the bride’s or groom’s ex’s and no criticizing of the venue or food.

Your Well Wishes

Talking about what a positive difference the bride has made in the groom’s life can make her feel both flattered and included in what is traditionally a ‘boy’s story.’ Although you’ll spend a lot of your speech talking about your friendship with the groom, you also need to talk about the groom’s relationship with his new wife and how happy you are that they have found each other. You may want to make a joke such as, ‘Anyone who can put up with this guy for life has my whole respect,’ but make sure that it still comes from the heart and is a touching part of the speech.

The Toast

Tradition states that the best man at this point is to toast the bridesmaids. Many however are starting to mention the bridesmaids and how lovely they look just before they make their toast to the bride and groom. If you’d like to combine the two, you can state that you’d first like to make a toast to the bridesmaids. Say something such as, “Now, I can’t finish my speech without directing your attention towards some of the most beautiful ladies in the room…” and then toast them. You can then say, “And finally, a toast to the bride and groom…” and finish off with this toast.