Best Man Speech — How to Make It Memorable
A best man speech is one of the major attractions of any wedding reception. Customarily, the best man is assigned the responsibility of preparing and delivering a speech just prior to the champagne toast. Since not everyone feels comfortable speaking in front of large groups, this task can feel daunting. With the right preparation, however, a short period of focused work is often enough to get the speech ready.
Laying the groundwork
- Start early so the speech has time to settle and feel natural.
- Decide on the tone you want — heartfelt, humorous, or a blend of both.
- Gather a few short anecdotes about the groom that you can share with confidence.
- Practice aloud, ideally once in front of a friend who can give honest feedback.
The Champagne Toast
The champagne toast is the public moment everyone is listening for. Keep your glass raised long enough for guests to join in, speak clearly, and time your closing line so the room can toast together. A concise, confident delivery lands better than a long, rambling one.
If humour is your style, see our funny wedding speeches guide for ways to weave in light jokes without relying on a single gag.
Honoring the Groomsmen
Honoring the groomsmen during the toast is a small gesture that means a great deal. A quick mention by name, a word of thanks, or a small gift presented during the speech acknowledges their support for the groom. Keep the moment brief so the focus remains on the couple.
Looking for sample phrasing and starting points? Browse our collection of free wedding speeches for templates you can adapt in your own words.
Further reading in the Wedding Speech Blog covers preparation checklists and how to handle nerves on the day.