Sample Best Man Speech

An integral part of any wedding, the best man speech has traditionally been given in response to the toast given by the bridegroom, as the last of the three primary speeches (the first being the speech by the father of the bride). However, these days it is just as common for the best man to lead the toasts. Either way, it is a role of some importance, and is typically used to start or end the speeches on a high note as a precursor to the remaining festivities.

If you are going to deliver the best man speech at the wedding of a friend or family member, it would be wise to inquire about the theme of the wedding, as well as write the speech to suit the style and personality of the bride and groom. Every wedding, like the couple themselves, is unique, and what is appropriate for one may be quite unsuitable for another. Consider how formal the wedding is going to be, the character of the families, and to play it safe, you might even ask the couple if there are subjects they would rather you leave out. While humor is often well-received in a best man's speech, it is important to be sensitive to how comfortable the couple is likely to be with your speech's content and delivery.

It is generally a good idea to give some history of your relationship with the groom, details of which will vary depending on whether you are a son, brother, father or friend. This is your chance to share some funny or touching stories with the other guests, showing them a side of the groom they may not know, or just generally celebrate the fact that he is such a great guy.

Some common themes in a best man speech include:

• why the groom is ready for marriage (the trials of bachelorhood)
• how lucky the groom is to find such a beautiful bride

• why the groom will make a good husband
• life lessons you've learned from or with the groom
• interesting facts people may or may not know about the groom

A good rule of thumb is to keep your speech lighthearted and upbeat, although if you choose to tug at people's heartstrings, this is a good occasion for sentiment as well. It is definitely recommended that you spend some time working on your speech and rehearsing it ahead of time in order to deliver it with confidence when the day arrives. There are many resources available to help you craft the perfect best man speech, from books and websites on humor or famous quotes, to fill-in-the-blank speech forms. Whichever approach you choose, take some care to customize it for a special part of the day that will be remembered for years to come.