BEST MAN SPEECH

After months of build up and anticipation we finally have lift off, and the day of the Best Man speech has arrived. At least that’s how it feels. However, in reality, the crowds are gathered for the Bride and Groom and the Best Man speech is only a small part of the proceedings – so take a deep, breath, relax and remember that everyone is right behind you (not literally, unless you’re facing the wrong way).

The Best Man speech tends to be the last and longest of the three main wedding speeches and is also the one with the most expectation attached to it. That said, this all needn’t be a bad thing:

 The fact that you go last will mean that the audience will already be ‘warmed up’.

 The fact that the Best Man speech is traditionally longer that ann the others will give you more time to get into the swing of it and make a lasting impression.

 The fact that it is supposed to be funny gives you an opportunity to make people laugh and there is no better feeling than putting a smile on someone’s face.

And...

 Whilst there is an expectation that goes with a Best Man speech, the audience aren’t envisaging a top-draw Ricky Gervais stand-up routine, just something that makes them giggle now and again. As long as you test your material on a few others before hand, you should be able to manage that easily enough.

When it comes down to the actual words to say, you don’t always need to write your own material. Friends and relatives of the Groom can be a great source of amusing anecdotes whilst books, magazines, TV and websites such as ours can be a great source of quotes and one-liners for you to include on the day.

If you are in any way, shape or form concerned about giving the Best Man speech, or even if you just want a few pointers, you may want to check out our dedicated Best Man Toast, Wording the Best Man Speech, Best Man Speech Jokes & Quotes, and Best Man Pranks & Hoaxes articles for further help and advice.

Writing the Best Man speech is only half the battle however, and unless you successfully learn your lines and deliver the goods on the day, then all your efforts will have been in vain. Whether you're an expert presenter or complete novice, there are some specific tricks and strategies you can employ ease the nerves and improve the delivery - our Speech Making and Best Man Wedding Speech Tips articles will provide some useful help and advice and are musts for all Best Men out there.

Andy Warhol famously said that everybody will be famous for fifteen minutes - well my friend, your Best Man speech and quarter of an hour awaits so go out and enjoy it!

Recommended Reading

For those of you wanting to find out more, we've a whole host of other wedding speech articles on the site packed full of expert information and inspirational ideas, not to mention our online wedding directory that's filled with toastmasters, speech writers and more.