The one that everyone's been waiting for! Usually the best man's wedding speech is last and rounds off the formal speeches. However, the best man is often called upon to be the master of ceremonies and can sometimes be the first to toast the bride and groom also. Traditionally the best man is either a close relative or close friend of the groom and is therefore in the unique position of having known the groom long before he met his bride. This means the speech is often the most intimate of them all. It's usually light-hearted and fun and demonstrates his affection for the groom and happiness for the couple.
Do
- Thank all the guests for coming (particularly if you are also acting as master of ceremonies).
- If you are a friend of the groom, describe how you met the groom and relate a funny but not too embarrassing story of the groom that others will enjoy.
- If you are a relative of the groom, describe a childhood incident or something similar which may be amusing for guests to share.
- Talk about the groom's life, experiences and qualities.
- Describe how happy you were when the couple met and began their courtship.
- Propose a toast to the parents of the happy couple.
- To finish, read out letters and telegrams from those who were not able to attend. If there are many, read a selection.
- Thank all the guests for coming (particularly if you are also acting as master of ceremonies).
- If you are a friend of the groom, describe how you met the groom and relate a funny but not too embarrassing story of the groom that others will enjoy.
- If you are a relative of the groom, describe a childhood incident or something similar which may be amusing for guests to share.
- Talk about the groom's life, experiences and qualities.
- Describe how happy you were when the couple met and began their courtship.
- Propose a toast to the parents of the happy couple.
- To finish, read out letters and telegrams from those who were not able to attend. If there are many, read a selection.
Don't
- Get drunk. Many best men make the mistake of having a few for Dutch courage and get a little carried away. Slurring and stumbling is not attractive in a speaker.
- Relate incidents involving the groom's past girlfriends. Nobody - especially the bride - likes to be reminded that they weren't the only one.
- Get drunk. Many best men make the mistake of having a few for Dutch courage and get a little carried away. Slurring and stumbling is not attractive in a speaker.
- Relate incidents involving the groom's past girlfriends. Nobody - especially the bride - likes to be reminded that they weren't the only one.
Other Common Wedding Speeches:
Aside from the above wedding speeches, the respective mothers' of the bride and groom and also the maid of honor may wish to give a speech also.
As mother of the bride, or mother of the groom, you may wish to stand with your husband while he is making his speech and add a few words of your own, finishing off by proposing a joint toast to the couple. Or you may have a full speech of your own prepared along similar lines to topics traditionally addressed by the father of the bride or father of the groom. Similarly, as a maid of honor, it is common to make a speech similar to that of the best man but with the focus being on the bride's qualities and experiences you have shared together.
Other Important tips:
Be mindful of your audience: There is likely to be a variety of guests from different cultural or social backgrounds and it's important to keep this in mind when planning what you will say and the gestures that you use when delivering your speech. You may hold your palm up to stop people's conversations and to get their attention but in Greece it's the equivalent to giving someone 'the finger'. A thumb's up to an attendee of the wedding may be meant endearingly but to citizens from the Middle East, West Africa and South America it's hideously offensive. When in doubt, always err on the side of caution. Refrain from swearing and keep your gestures discrete.
Make eye contact:
As with all public speaking, it is effective to make regular eye contact with your audience. Making eye contact engages your audience and makes them feel involved in what you are saying. If you are using palm cards or written notes, make sure the writing is big enough to see easily. Rather than writing out the whole speech, consider writing only the main points so that your delivery feels natural and you are able to maintain regular eye contact with your audience.
As with all public speaking, it is effective to make regular eye contact with your audience. Making eye contact engages your audience and makes them feel involved in what you are saying. If you are using palm cards or written notes, make sure the writing is big enough to see easily. Rather than writing out the whole speech, consider writing only the main points so that your delivery feels natural and you are able to maintain regular eye contact with your audience.
Don't rush your wedding speech.
Speak at a normal conversational pace, or slightly slower. It is natural to speak more quickly when everyone's attention is on you but try to resist this urge. Listeners will relax and hear you better if you speak calmly and at a steady pace.
Speak at a normal conversational pace, or slightly slower. It is natural to speak more quickly when everyone's attention is on you but try to resist this urge. Listeners will relax and hear you better if you speak calmly and at a steady pace.
Speak with heart:
Weddings are a beautiful celebration of love and unity. Keep this in mind when you are delivering your wedding speech. If you speak with a full heart you will add to the feeling of love and auspiciousness which surrounds the occasion and your words will penetrate into the hearts of all those present.
Weddings are a beautiful celebration of love and unity. Keep this in mind when you are delivering your wedding speech. If you speak with a full heart you will add to the feeling of love and auspiciousness which surrounds the occasion and your words will penetrate into the hearts of all those present.
