Words for a Best Man Speech

It is customary for the best man to deliver a speech duing dinner.

While you are thrilled that you've been chosen you to be the best man at his wedding, you might find yourself feeling a little apprehensive about the customary best man speech. With a few tools, a little practice and the right key words, you will be able to deliver a heartfelt speech with ease.

Opening

Before you begin your speech, get everyone's attention by gently tapping your wine glass with a fork and standing up. The opening for your speech can be as simple as thanking everyone for coming to the wedding and remarking about how beautiful the ceremony was. Although humor can be a great inclusion to a best man's speech, avoid opening with a joke.

Express Gratitude for the Friendship

After the opening, take the time to thank the groom for choosing you to stand beside him as he committed his life to his beautiful new wife. Share the reasons why you think the groom is a wonderful person and let him know that you are grateful to have him as a friend.

Share a Story

Share a story about the groom. Choose a story that will be appropriate for everyone in attendance at the wedding such as a story about when your friend first met the bride, how the bride compensates for the groom's shortfalls or about the two of you growing up. Make sure you choose a story that does not talk about ex-relationships of the groom or embarrasses the bride and groom.

Toast

Close the speech with a toast to the bride and groom. For the toast, you might wish to choose a quote or poem that talks about love or marriage or simply say that you cannot imagine a better match for the groom than his bride. Raise your glass and make a toast to the happy couple.

References

• The Art of Manliness: Ten Steps to the Best Man Speech