{"id":13286,"date":"2026-06-30T10:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-06-30T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/paperlust.co\/blog\/?p=13286"},"modified":"2026-06-15T14:39:10","modified_gmt":"2026-06-15T04:39:10","slug":"best-man-speech-examples","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/paperlust.co\/blog\/best-man-speech-examples\/","title":{"rendered":"Best Man Speech: 30 Examples + Templates (How to Write &#038; Deliver in 2026)"},"content":{"rendered":"<style>\n#post-13286 .entry-content p,\n#post-13286 .entry-content li { font-size: 20px; line-height: 1.7; margin-bottom: 20px; }\n#post-13286 .entry-content h2 { text-transform: none !important; font-size: 34px; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.3; margin-top: 56px; margin-bottom: 16px; }\n#post-13286 .entry-content h3 { text-transform: none !important; font-size: 22px; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.3; font-weight: 600; margin-top: 32px; margin-bottom: 12px; }\n#post-13286 .entry-content table { width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 18px; margin: 28px 0; }\n#post-13286 .entry-content th { background: #1a1a1a; color: #fff; padding: 11px 16px; text-align: left; }\n#post-13286 .entry-content td { padding: 11px 16px; border-bottom: 1px solid #eee; }\n#post-13286 .entry-content tr:nth-child(odd) td { background: #f9f9f9; }\n#post-13286 .entry-content tr:nth-child(even) td { background: #fff; }\n<\/style>\n<p><p style=\"text-align: center; margin: 24px 0 36px 0;\">\n  <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/images.pexels.com\/photos\/5061010\/pexels-photo-5061010.jpeg?auto=compress&#038;cs=tinysrgb&#038;dpr=2&#038;h=650&#038;w=940\" alt=\"Best man in formal attire writing speech notes in a notebook before a wedding\"\n       style=\"max-width: 100%; height: auto; display: inline-block; border-radius: 4px;\"\n       loading=\"lazy\" \/>\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p><strong>By the Paperlust Editorial Team<\/strong> | Last updated: May 6, 2026<\/p>\n<p><strong>How do you write a best man speech?<\/strong> Start with a warm opening that grabs attention, introduce yourself and your relationship to the groom, share one or two specific stories that reveal his character, pivot to welcome the couple&#8217;s future together, and close with a heartfelt toast to the newlyweds. Aim for 3-5 minutes (around 500-700 words).<\/p>\n<div data-canon=\"tldr-v1\" style=\"background:#f8f6f3;border-left:4px solid #c9a96e;padding:24px 28px;margin:32px 0;border-radius:2px;\">\n<p><strong style=\"font-size:18px;display:block;margin-bottom:12px;\">At a glance<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Ideal length:<\/strong> 3-5 minutes, 500-700 words<\/li>\n<li><strong>Structure:<\/strong> Opening hook &#8211; Introduction &#8211; Story or two &#8211; Pivot to the couple &#8211; Toast<\/li>\n<li><strong>When to start writing:<\/strong> At least 4-6 weeks before the wedding<\/li>\n<li><strong>How to practice:<\/strong> Out loud, standing up, timed &#8211; minimum 5 full run-throughs<\/li>\n<li><strong>Biggest pitfall:<\/strong> Inside jokes only 2 people understand, or stories that embarrass the bride or groom<\/li>\n<li><strong>Golden rule:<\/strong> Always end on love &#8211; the best speeches honor both people<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div data-locale-router=\"v1\" style=\"background:#fdfaf4;border-left:3px solid #c8a165;padding:14px 18px;margin:22px 0;font-size:14px;line-height:1.6;\"><strong style=\"display:block;font-size:13px;letter-spacing:1.2px;text-transform:uppercase;color:#7a5a2e;margin-bottom:6px;\">Shop wedding invitations<\/strong><a href=\"\/browse\/wedding-invitations\/\" style=\"color:#7a5a2e;text-decoration:underline;\">Australia<\/a> &nbsp;\u00b7&nbsp; <a href=\"\/us\/browse\/wedding-invitations\/\" style=\"color:#7a5a2e;text-decoration:underline;\">United States<\/a> &nbsp;\u00b7&nbsp; <a href=\"\/gb\/browse\/wedding-invitations\/\" style=\"color:#7a5a2e;text-decoration:underline;\">United Kingdom<\/a> &nbsp;\u00b7&nbsp; <a href=\"\/ca\/browse\/wedding-invitations\/\" style=\"color:#7a5a2e;text-decoration:underline;\">Canada<\/a> &nbsp;\u00b7&nbsp; <a href=\"\/nz\/browse\/wedding-invitations\/\" style=\"color:#7a5a2e;text-decoration:underline;\">New Zealand<\/a><\/div>\n<h2>Table of Contents<\/h2>\n<ol>\n<li><a href=\"#what-makes-great\">What Makes a Great Best Man Speech<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#how-long\">How Long Should a Best Man Speech Be<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#structure\">Best Man Speech Structure: The Proven 5-Part Formula<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#funny-examples\">10 Funny Best Man Speech Examples<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#heartfelt-examples\">10 Heartfelt Best Man Speech Examples<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#short-examples\">10 Short and Simple Best Man Speech Examples<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#templates\">Best Man Speech Templates (Fill-in-the-Blank)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#how-to-write\">How to Write Your Best Man Speech: Step-by-Step<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#delivery\">How to Deliver a Best Man Speech (Public Speaking Tips)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#mistakes\">What to Avoid: 12 Common Mistakes<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#faq\">Best Man Speech FAQ<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h2 id=\"what-makes-great\">What Makes a Great Best Man Speech<\/h2>\n<p>The role of best man is one of the most personal honors you can be given. You are not just a groomsman in a well-fitted suit &#8211; you are the person the groom trusts above all others to stand beside him on the biggest day of his life, and to say something that captures who he is and why this marriage matters.<\/p>\n<p>The best best man speeches do three things well. They are <strong>specific<\/strong> (not &#8220;he&#8217;s a great guy&#8221; but &#8220;the time he drove four hours in a snowstorm because I needed a hand moving&#8221;). They are <strong>inclusive<\/strong> (guests who have never met you should feel something). And they move &#8211; from laughter to warmth to a genuine toast that raises every glass in the room.<\/p>\n<p>What separates a forgettable speech from one people reference ten years later is not wit or oratory skill. It is the willingness to be honest and personal. One true story beats five generic compliments every time.<\/p>\n<p>You do not need to be funny. You do not need to be eloquent. You need to be genuine &#8211; and prepared.<\/p>\n<p><p style=\"text-align: center; margin: 32px 0;\">\n  <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/images.pexels.com\/photos\/6447198\/pexels-photo-6447198.jpeg?auto=compress&#038;cs=tinysrgb&#038;dpr=2&#038;h=650&#038;w=940\" alt=\"groom laughing with best man at rehearsal dinner, both in casual clothes reviewing notes together\"\n       style=\"max-width: 100%; height: auto; display: inline-block; border-radius: 4px;\"\n       loading=\"lazy\" \/>\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"how-long\">How Long Should a Best Man Speech Be<\/h2>\n<p><strong>The ideal best man speech is 3-5 minutes long, which translates to approximately 500-700 words at a natural speaking pace.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Most people speak at around 130-150 words per minute when addressing a crowd. That means a 600-word speech lands at just over four minutes &#8211; the sweet spot where guests are engaged but not restless, and you have enough room to tell a real story without overstaying your welcome.<\/p>\n<table style=\"width:100%;border-collapse:collapse;margin:24px 0;\">\n<thead>\n<tr style=\"text-align:left;\">\n<th style=\"background:#1a1a1a;color:#fff;padding:11px 16px;text-align:left;\">Wedding Size<\/th>\n<th style=\"background:#1a1a1a;color:#fff;padding:11px 16px;text-align:left;\">Recommended Length<\/th>\n<th style=\"background:#1a1a1a;color:#fff;padding:11px 16px;text-align:left;\">Approximate Word Count<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr style=\"background:#f9f9f9;\">\n<td style=\"padding:11px 16px;\">Micro (under 20 guests)<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:11px 16px;\">2-3 minutes<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:11px 16px;\">300-450 words<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"background:#fff;\">\n<td style=\"padding:11px 16px;\">Intimate (20-50 guests)<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:11px 16px;\">3-4 minutes<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:11px 16px;\">450-600 words<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"background:#f9f9f9;\">\n<td style=\"padding:11px 16px;\">Medium (50-150 guests)<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:11px 16px;\">4-5 minutes<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:11px 16px;\">600-750 words<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"background:#fff;\">\n<td style=\"padding:11px 16px;\">Large (150+ guests)<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:11px 16px;\">4-6 minutes<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:11px 16px;\">600-900 words<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>A few notes on timing:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Under 2 minutes<\/strong> feels under-prepared and can come across as dismissive of the honor.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Over 7 minutes<\/strong> is almost universally too long. People get hungry, drinks get warm, and the energy drops.<\/li>\n<li>If you have a co-best-man and you are sharing the speech, aim for 2 minutes each &#8211; not 5 each.<\/li>\n<li>Time yourself speaking out loud. Reading silently runs at least 20% faster than speaking to a room.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 id=\"structure\">Best Man Speech Structure: The Proven 5-Part Formula<\/h2>\n<p>Every speech that works &#8211; funny, heartfelt, or somewhere between &#8211; follows a recognizable arc. Here is the formula distilled from thousands of successful speeches:<\/p>\n<h3>Part 1: The Opening Hook (30-45 seconds)<\/h3>\n<p>Grab the room immediately. You have about ten seconds before people decide whether to listen. Start with a line that earns your credibility or gets a laugh &#8211; not &#8220;Hi, I&#8217;m James, and I&#8217;ve been asked to&#8230;&#8221; Open with a joke, a surprising fact about the groom, or a bold statement you then subvert.<\/p>\n<h3>Part 2: The Introduction (30-45 seconds)<\/h3>\n<p>Tell the room who you are and how you know the groom. Keep it brief &#8211; guests want to hear about him, not your CV. One sentence on your history together is enough: &#8220;Tom and I have been friends since we were assigned the worst possible lab partners in sophomore biology &#8211; and somehow neither of us blew anything up.&#8221;<\/p>\n<h3>Part 3: The Story or Stories (2-3 minutes)<\/h3>\n<p>This is the heart of the speech. Pick one or two stories that are:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Specific<\/strong> &#8211; real details, real locations, real moments<\/li>\n<li><strong>Character-revealing<\/strong> &#8211; show who the groom actually is<\/li>\n<li><strong>Inclusive<\/strong> &#8211; the bride&#8217;s family should be able to follow along<\/li>\n<li><strong>Clean<\/strong> &#8211; nothing that makes the bride, her family, or the groom genuinely uncomfortable<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Avoid pub stories where the punchline requires you to have been there. Avoid anything involving ex-partners. Avoid anything the groom has explicitly asked you not to mention.<\/p>\n<h3>Part 4: The Transition to the Couple (45-60 seconds)<\/h3>\n<p>Pivot from the groom as a single person to the groom as a partner. This is where you speak directly about the bride &#8211; ideally something specific you have observed about how she makes him better, happier, or more himself. This section is where many best man speeches fall short. Do not skip it or rush through it.<\/p>\n<h3>Part 5: The Toast (15-30 seconds)<\/h3>\n<p>End with a clear, memorable toast. Ask guests to raise their glasses. Address the couple directly. Keep it warm, keep it short, and deliver it with confidence. A strong final line lands the whole speech.<\/p>\n<table style=\"width:100%;border-collapse:collapse;margin:24px 0;\">\n<thead>\n<tr style=\"text-align:left;\">\n<th style=\"background:#1a1a1a;color:#fff;padding:11px 16px;text-align:left;\">Tone<\/th>\n<th style=\"background:#1a1a1a;color:#fff;padding:11px 16px;text-align:left;\">Opening Style<\/th>\n<th style=\"background:#1a1a1a;color:#fff;padding:11px 16px;text-align:left;\">Story Type<\/th>\n<th style=\"background:#1a1a1a;color:#fff;padding:11px 16px;text-align:left;\">Transition<\/th>\n<th style=\"background:#1a1a1a;color:#fff;padding:11px 16px;text-align:left;\">Toast Flavor<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr style=\"background:#f9f9f9;\">\n<td style=\"padding:11px 16px;\">Formal \/ Black Tie<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:11px 16px;\">Gracious, composed<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:11px 16px;\">Admirable quality revealed<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:11px 16px;\">Eloquent tribute to both<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:11px 16px;\">Poetic, timeless<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"background:#fff;\">\n<td style=\"padding:11px 16px;\">Casual \/ Backyard<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:11px 16px;\">Self-deprecating or funny<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:11px 16px;\">Funny but warm memory<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:11px 16px;\">Genuine and simple<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:11px 16px;\">Conversational, heartfelt<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"background:#f9f9f9;\">\n<td style=\"padding:11px 16px;\">Roast-Adjacent<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:11px 16px;\">Bold opener \/ mock insult<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:11px 16px;\">Embarrassing story (vetted)<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:11px 16px;\">Sincere reversal<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:11px 16px;\">Warm finish, earns it<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<div style=\"background:#fdf6ee;border:1.5px solid #c9a96e;border-radius:6px;padding:20px 24px;margin:28px 0;\">\n<p><strong>Planning the wedding as you write this speech?<\/strong> The details matter &#8211; from the <a href=\"\/us\/browse\/wedding-invitations\/\">wedding invitations<\/a> that set the tone for the day to the <a href=\"\/us\/browse\/wedding-menu\/\">menu cards<\/a> at each table. Paperlust designs everything in one place so the stationery tells a consistent story from save the date to reception.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><p style=\"text-align: center; margin: 32px 0;\">\n  <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/images.pexels.com\/photos\/755333\/pexels-photo-755333.jpeg?auto=compress&#038;cs=tinysrgb&#038;dpr=2&#038;h=650&#038;w=940\" alt=\"elegantly set wedding reception tables with place cards and printed menu cards, warm evening light, floral centerpieces\"\n       style=\"max-width: 100%; height: auto; display: inline-block; border-radius: 4px;\"\n       loading=\"lazy\" \/>\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"funny-examples\">10 Funny Best Man Speech Examples<\/h2>\n<p>The key to a funny best man speech is specificity and misdirection &#8211; set up an expectation, then subvert it. These examples are templates you can adapt. Replace the bracketed placeholders with real details.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Example 1<\/strong><\/p>\n<blockquote style=\"font-size:18px;line-height:1.6;background:#f8f6f3;border-left:3px solid #c9a96e;padding:16px 24px;margin:24px 0;font-style:italic;\">\n<p>&#8220;For those who don&#8217;t know me, I&#8217;m [Name], and I have been [Groom]&#8217;s best friend for [X] years. In that time, I have seen him make some genuinely baffling decisions. He once drove two hours to a restaurant that was closed. He once spent an entire weekend assembling flat-pack furniture only to realize he&#8217;d bought the wrong size. He once bet me that he could name all fifty states and got stuck at forty-seven. And then &#8211; then &#8211; he somehow convinced the most remarkable woman in this room to marry him. So maybe the lesson here is: keep trying, stay optimistic, and eventually something wonderful happens. [Name], you are the best decision he has ever made. To [Groom] and [Name].&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><strong>Example 2<\/strong><\/p>\n<blockquote style=\"font-size:18px;line-height:1.6;background:#f8f6f3;border-left:3px solid #c9a96e;padding:16px 24px;margin:24px 0;font-style:italic;\">\n<p>&#8220;I was asked to keep this clean, brief, and kind. I have prepared three speeches: one clean, one brief, and one kind. I&#8217;m delivering all three simultaneously, which means I have about ninety seconds. [Groom] is the kind of man who researches restaurants for forty-five minutes and then orders the same thing he always orders. He is loyal to a fault, which is both his best quality and the reason we are still using the same sports bar we discovered in college. [Name], thank you for being the adventure he needed. Please raise your glasses to the couple.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><strong>Example 3<\/strong><\/p>\n<blockquote style=\"font-size:18px;line-height:1.6;background:#f8f6f3;border-left:3px solid #c9a96e;padding:16px 24px;margin:24px 0;font-style:italic;\">\n<p>&#8220;I Googled &#8216;how to write a best man speech&#8217; and the first result said &#8216;keep it short, personal, and funny.&#8217; I then spent three weeks trying to be short, personal, and funny. What I have landed on is two out of three. I have known [Groom] since [year], when he introduced himself by explaining his entire fantasy football strategy to me unprompted. Twelve years later, not much has changed &#8211; except that he now has someone who actually pretends to find that interesting. [Name], you are a miracle of patience and grace. To the couple.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><strong>Example 4<\/strong><\/p>\n<blockquote style=\"font-size:18px;line-height:1.6;background:#f8f6f3;border-left:3px solid #c9a96e;padding:16px 24px;margin:24px 0;font-style:italic;\">\n<p>&#8220;[Groom] told me my speech needed to be &#8216;classy.&#8217; I have done my best. For those who know [Groom] well, you&#8217;ll appreciate what a heroic act of restraint that is. What I will say is this: I have watched this man evolve from someone who considered instant noodles a full meal to someone who now owns a pepper grinder. That is personal growth. That is love. [Name] has, in a very real sense, civilized him &#8211; and on behalf of everyone who shares an apartment wall, I want to say: thank you. Please join me in raising a glass.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><strong>Example 5<\/strong><\/p>\n<blockquote style=\"font-size:18px;line-height:1.6;background:#f8f6f3;border-left:3px solid #c9a96e;padding:16px 24px;margin:24px 0;font-style:italic;\">\n<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ve been [Groom]&#8217;s best friend for [X] years, which means I&#8217;ve had a front-row seat to every terrible idea he&#8217;s ever had. The hiking trip with no map. The homemade hot sauce incident. The time he tried to fix his own plumbing and we had to call a professional at 11pm on a Sunday. And yet &#8211; and yet &#8211; when I saw him the morning of this wedding, standing there completely calm and completely certain, I thought: this is the best idea he has ever had. [Name], you make him brave in the right direction. Congratulations to you both.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><strong>Example 6<\/strong><\/p>\n<blockquote style=\"font-size:18px;line-height:1.6;background:#f8f6f3;border-left:3px solid #c9a96e;padding:16px 24px;margin:24px 0;font-style:italic;\">\n<p>&#8220;[Groom] has many fine qualities. He is generous, reliable, and the first person you call in a crisis. He is not, however, a natural romantic. I say this as someone who once watched him give a first-date gift of a multi-tool because, and I quote, &#8216;it&#8217;s practical.&#8217; So when he called me at 7am on a Tuesday to tell me he&#8217;d found the person he wanted to marry, speaking fast and laughing at nothing, I knew something extraordinary had happened. [Name], whatever you did to unlock that version of him &#8211; I am grateful. To [Groom] and [Name].&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><strong>Example 7<\/strong><\/p>\n<blockquote style=\"font-size:18px;line-height:1.6;background:#f8f6f3;border-left:3px solid #c9a96e;padding:16px 24px;margin:24px 0;font-style:italic;\">\n<p>&#8220;I was given two instructions for this speech. One: don&#8217;t make it longer than five minutes. Two: don&#8217;t mention the [city] incident. I will be respecting both of those rules completely. What I will tell you is that [Groom] is the kind of person who shows up. Not metaphorically &#8211; literally. He will show up at your door with a toolbox, food, or just himself, because he decided you needed company. [Name], you married someone who shows up. In my experience, that is the only thing that really matters. Please raise your glasses.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><strong>Example 8<\/strong><\/p>\n<blockquote style=\"font-size:18px;line-height:1.6;background:#f8f6f3;border-left:3px solid #c9a96e;padding:16px 24px;margin:24px 0;font-style:italic;\">\n<p>&#8220;[Groom] and I have been friends since [school\/university\/work], which is long enough that I have witnessed the full arc of his dating life. I will not detail that arc. What I will say is that each chapter seemed to end the same way &#8211; with him calling me saying &#8216;I don&#8217;t think that was quite right.&#8217; And then he met [Name]. And he stopped calling. For about three weeks I thought something was wrong. Turns out something was very, very right. Ladies and gentlemen, to the couple.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><strong>Example 9<\/strong><\/p>\n<blockquote style=\"font-size:18px;line-height:1.6;background:#f8f6f3;border-left:3px solid #c9a96e;padding:16px 24px;margin:24px 0;font-style:italic;\">\n<p>&#8220;People keep asking me if I&#8217;m nervous about this speech. I&#8217;m not nervous. I&#8217;ve been nervous about things before &#8211; job interviews, first dates, the time I thought [Groom] had lost my car. But this? I get to stand up in front of the people [Groom] loves most and say what I actually think of him. Which is: he is one of the best people I know, and he has found someone who matches that completely. If that&#8217;s all I communicate today, I&#8217;ve done my job. To [Groom] and [Name].&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><strong>Example 10<\/strong><\/p>\n<blockquote style=\"font-size:18px;line-height:1.6;background:#f8f6f3;border-left:3px solid #c9a96e;padding:16px 24px;margin:24px 0;font-style:italic;\">\n<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ve been told the best man speech should be like a bride&#8217;s dress: long enough to cover the essentials, but short enough to keep things interesting. I have done my best. [Groom] once described his perfect Saturday as &#8216;doing nothing with someone you like.&#8217; At the time I thought that was the laziest vision for the future I&#8217;d ever heard. Now I think it might be the most honest definition of a good marriage I know. [Name], I hope you have a lifetime of excellent nothing together. To the happy couple.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<h2 id=\"heartfelt-examples\">10 Heartfelt Best Man Speech Examples<\/h2>\n<p>These speeches lead with sincerity. They work best when you have a genuine story to tell and want the room to feel something real.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Example 11<\/strong><\/p>\n<blockquote style=\"font-size:18px;line-height:1.6;background:#f8f6f3;border-left:3px solid #c9a96e;padding:16px 24px;margin:24px 0;font-style:italic;\">\n<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ve known [Groom] since we were eight years old. We grew up two streets apart and spent most of our childhood doing exactly what our parents told us not to. Over the years, I&#8217;ve watched him grow into someone I genuinely admire &#8211; not because of his success or his talent, but because of his character. He is honest. He is steadfast. He is the first person to acknowledge when he&#8217;s wrong and the last to abandon someone he loves. [Name], you have chosen well, and so has he. Please stand with me and raise your glass to a future as bright as today.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><strong>Example 12<\/strong><\/p>\n<blockquote style=\"font-size:18px;line-height:1.6;background:#f8f6f3;border-left:3px solid #c9a96e;padding:16px 24px;margin:24px 0;font-style:italic;\">\n<p>&#8220;[Groom] is my brother, which means I&#8217;ve never had the option of choosing him. But if I had been given the choice, I would have picked him every time. We have been through more together than I&#8217;ll mention here &#8211; the kind of things that either break a friendship or make it unbreakable. Ours is the latter. When [Name] came into his life, I watched something settle in him. A kind of peace I hadn&#8217;t seen before. That is the best compliment I can pay a person: they brought my brother peace. To [Groom] and [Name].&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><strong>Example 13<\/strong><\/p>\n<blockquote style=\"font-size:18px;line-height:1.6;background:#f8f6f3;border-left:3px solid #c9a96e;padding:16px 24px;margin:24px 0;font-style:italic;\">\n<p>&#8220;[Groom] and I met during what I&#8217;d describe as the worst semester either of us had experienced. We were both far from home, both struggling, and somehow we ended up talking in a corridor at 2am about everything and nothing. That conversation turned into a friendship I didn&#8217;t know I needed. [Name], I want to thank you not just for making him happy &#8211; but for giving him a partner the way our friendship gave him a friend. Someone in his corner. Someone who sees him clearly and loves him anyway. That is the whole thing. Congratulations.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><strong>Example 14<\/strong><\/p>\n<blockquote style=\"font-size:18px;line-height:1.6;background:#f8f6f3;border-left:3px solid #c9a96e;padding:16px 24px;margin:24px 0;font-style:italic;\">\n<p>&#8220;There was a year &#8211; a few years back &#8211; when things were hard for [Groom]. He wouldn&#8217;t want me to go into detail, and I won&#8217;t. What I&#8217;ll say is that during that time, he handled himself with more dignity and more quiet courage than most people I know could manage. I was proud of him then. I am proud of him now &#8211; watching him stand here, fully himself, fully present, fully in love. [Name], the man you&#8217;re marrying has already proven what he&#8217;s made of. I think you know that. To the two of you.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><strong>Example 15<\/strong><\/p>\n<blockquote style=\"font-size:18px;line-height:1.6;background:#f8f6f3;border-left:3px solid #c9a96e;padding:16px 24px;margin:24px 0;font-style:italic;\">\n<p>&#8220;[Groom] and I served together for [X] years, which creates a kind of bond that is difficult to explain to people who haven&#8217;t experienced it. You see the best and the worst of each other under pressure, and what you find out is whether someone can be trusted. I have trusted [Groom] with things that matter. He has never once let me down. [Name], you are marrying a man whose word is ironclad and whose loyalty is absolute. I cannot think of a better foundation. Please join me in raising a glass to them both.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><strong>Example 16<\/strong><\/p>\n<blockquote style=\"font-size:18px;line-height:1.6;background:#f8f6f3;border-left:3px solid #c9a96e;padding:16px 24px;margin:24px 0;font-style:italic;\">\n<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ve watched [Groom] and [Name] together for [X] years now, and what I keep coming back to is how naturally kind they are to each other. Not grand gestures &#8211; small ones. The way he pays attention to what she says. The way she always checks whether he&#8217;s okay before she answers how she is. These are the things that don&#8217;t show up in the Instagram posts, but they&#8217;re the things that last. I wish you a lifetime of small, easy kindnesses. To [Groom] and [Name].&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><strong>Example 17<\/strong><\/p>\n<blockquote style=\"font-size:18px;line-height:1.6;background:#f8f6f3;border-left:3px solid #c9a96e;padding:16px 24px;margin:24px 0;font-style:italic;\">\n<p>&#8220;When [Groom] told me about [Name], the first thing I noticed was that he described her by telling me what she cared about, not what she looked like. He talked about her work, her family, the things that made her laugh. I thought: he&#8217;s paying attention in the right direction. That&#8217;s [Groom] &#8211; he has always known what actually matters. [Name], you matter. To both of you, and to everyone in this room. Please raise your glasses.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><strong>Example 18<\/strong><\/p>\n<blockquote style=\"font-size:18px;line-height:1.6;background:#f8f6f3;border-left:3px solid #c9a96e;padding:16px 24px;margin:24px 0;font-style:italic;\">\n<p>&#8220;[Groom] once told me that love isn&#8217;t a feeling you fall into &#8211; it&#8217;s something you build, slowly, from the materials of ordinary days. He said this during a particularly philosophical road trip and I teased him for it at the time. Standing here today, watching what he and [Name] have built together, I think he was right. May you keep building, every day, something worth standing in. Congratulations to you both.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><strong>Example 19<\/strong><\/p>\n<blockquote style=\"font-size:18px;line-height:1.6;background:#f8f6f3;border-left:3px solid #c9a96e;padding:16px 24px;margin:24px 0;font-style:italic;\">\n<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ve been thinking about what to say for weeks now, and I keep coming back to one thing. [Groom] has always been someone who makes the people around him feel like they matter. That is a rare quality. That is the quality I hope he carries into this marriage, and I suspect he will &#8211; because [Name] clearly brings out the very best of it. To two people who deserve every good thing that is coming to them. Please raise your glasses.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><strong>Example 20<\/strong><\/p>\n<blockquote style=\"font-size:18px;line-height:1.6;background:#f8f6f3;border-left:3px solid #c9a96e;padding:16px 24px;margin:24px 0;font-style:italic;\">\n<p>&#8220;Before I give this toast, I want to say something to [Groom] directly: you have been one of the great constants in my life, and watching you choose [Name] &#8211; and watching her choose you &#8211; is one of the most genuinely joyful things I have witnessed. Whatever the years ahead bring, you face them together now, and that changes everything. To [Groom] and [Name]: may you be each other&#8217;s best news, always.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<h2 id=\"short-examples\">10 Short and Simple Best Man Speech Examples<\/h2>\n<p>For micro weddings, intimate ceremonies, or best men who prefer brevity done well &#8211; these speeches are under 150 words and hold nothing back.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Example 21<\/strong><\/p>\n<blockquote style=\"font-size:18px;line-height:1.6;background:#f8f6f3;border-left:3px solid #c9a96e;padding:16px 24px;margin:24px 0;font-style:italic;\">\n<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ve known [Groom] for [X] years, and in that time he has taught me a lot about loyalty, patience, and the correct way to make a barbecue rub. Today he is teaching me something new: what it looks like when someone is exactly where they&#8217;re supposed to be. [Name], welcome to the family. [Groom], you did well. To the couple &#8211; please raise your glasses.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><strong>Example 22<\/strong><\/p>\n<blockquote style=\"font-size:18px;line-height:1.6;background:#f8f6f3;border-left:3px solid #c9a96e;padding:16px 24px;margin:24px 0;font-style:italic;\">\n<p>&#8220;There are people in your life you can call at any hour, about anything, and they will answer. [Groom] is that person for me. Today, [Name] became that person for him &#8211; for life. I can&#8217;t think of a better wedding gift than that. To [Groom] and [Name].&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><strong>Example 23<\/strong><\/p>\n<blockquote style=\"font-size:18px;line-height:1.6;background:#f8f6f3;border-left:3px solid #c9a96e;padding:16px 24px;margin:24px 0;font-style:italic;\">\n<p>&#8220;I was asked to keep this short. So here it is: [Groom] is one of the best people I know. [Name] is, by all evidence, equally extraordinary. The world needs more people like the two of you in it, and I suspect the world is about to get them. Congratulations. To the couple.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><strong>Example 24<\/strong><\/p>\n<blockquote style=\"font-size:18px;line-height:1.6;background:#f8f6f3;border-left:3px solid #c9a96e;padding:16px 24px;margin:24px 0;font-style:italic;\">\n<p>&#8220;My job today is simple: say something true about [Groom], welcome [Name] into our lives, and get out of the way so everyone can eat. Here goes. [Groom] is genuine, generous, and exactly who he appears to be &#8211; which is rarer than it sounds. [Name] &#8211; you already know this. We&#8217;re just glad you&#8217;re official. Please raise your glasses.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><strong>Example 25<\/strong><\/p>\n<blockquote style=\"font-size:18px;line-height:1.6;background:#f8f6f3;border-left:3px solid #c9a96e;padding:16px 24px;margin:24px 0;font-style:italic;\">\n<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ve had months to prepare this speech. What I&#8217;ve landed on is this: I love [Groom] like a brother, I think [Name] is remarkable, and I believe this marriage will be one of the great ones. That is all I know, and I think it&#8217;s enough. To the happy couple &#8211; cheers.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><strong>Example 26<\/strong><\/p>\n<blockquote style=\"font-size:18px;line-height:1.6;background:#f8f6f3;border-left:3px solid #c9a96e;padding:16px 24px;margin:24px 0;font-style:italic;\">\n<p>&#8220;[Groom], the last time I saw you this nervous you were presenting to a room of fifty people and you forgot half the slides. You didn&#8217;t need the slides. You don&#8217;t need anything today except what you already have: [Name] beside you and a room full of people who love you both. Congratulations. Please raise your glasses.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><strong>Example 27<\/strong><\/p>\n<blockquote style=\"font-size:18px;line-height:1.6;background:#f8f6f3;border-left:3px solid #c9a96e;padding:16px 24px;margin:24px 0;font-style:italic;\">\n<p>&#8220;Someone once told me that the measure of a good relationship is whether you make each other better. By that standard, [Groom] and [Name] have already succeeded &#8211; I&#8217;ve watched them become more patient, more open, and more themselves since they&#8217;ve been together. To a future that keeps getting better. Cheers.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><strong>Example 28<\/strong><\/p>\n<blockquote style=\"font-size:18px;line-height:1.6;background:#f8f6f3;border-left:3px solid #c9a96e;padding:16px 24px;margin:24px 0;font-style:italic;\">\n<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m not a man of many words &#8211; ask anyone at this table. But I will say this: choosing the right person to spend your life with is the single most consequential decision a person makes. [Groom], you got it right. [Name], so did you. Please raise your glasses to the couple.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><strong>Example 29<\/strong><\/p>\n<blockquote style=\"font-size:18px;line-height:1.6;background:#f8f6f3;border-left:3px solid #c9a96e;padding:16px 24px;margin:24px 0;font-style:italic;\">\n<p>&#8220;[Groom] asked me to be best man about eighteen months ago. I said yes immediately &#8211; not because I had anything prepared, but because there was nowhere else I&#8217;d rather be today. Watching you two start your life together is a genuine honor. To [Groom] and [Name]: may you always be this happy, and may your [next adventure] be everything you&#8217;ve planned. Cheers.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><strong>Example 30<\/strong><\/p>\n<blockquote style=\"font-size:18px;line-height:1.6;background:#f8f6f3;border-left:3px solid #c9a96e;padding:16px 24px;margin:24px 0;font-style:italic;\">\n<p>&#8220;A toast doesn&#8217;t need to be long to mean something. So: [Groom], thank you for the last [X] years of friendship. [Name], thank you for choosing him and for letting us share today with you. Ladies and gentlemen, please raise your glasses &#8211; to love, to friendship, and to an excellent party.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<div style=\"background:#fdf6ee;border:1.5px solid #c9a96e;border-radius:6px;padding:20px 24px;margin:28px 0;\">\n<p><strong>Also planning the speeches lineup?<\/strong> Read our complete guides to the <a href=\"\/blog\/maid-of-honor-speech-examples\/\">maid of honor speech<\/a> and the <a href=\"\/blog\/father-of-the-bride-speech-examples\/\">father of the bride speech<\/a> &#8211; all three guides are part of the Paperlust Speeches Hub.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<h2 id=\"templates\">Best Man Speech Templates (Fill-in-the-Blank)<\/h2>\n<h3>Template 1: Funny-First<\/h3>\n<blockquote>\n<p>For those who don&#8217;t know me, I&#8217;m [YOUR NAME], and I&#8217;ve been [GROOM]&#8217;s [best friend \/ brother \/ colleague] for [X] years. In that time, I&#8217;ve seen him [funny habit or questionable decision]. I&#8217;ve also seen him [admirable quality]. When he met [PARTNER NAME], [what changed &#8211; one sentence]. Today, standing here watching them, I can honestly say [sincere observation]. Please raise your glasses to [GROOM] and [PARTNER NAME].<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<h3>Template 2: Heartfelt-First<\/h3>\n<blockquote>\n<p>[GROOM] and I have known each other since [when\/where]. Over [X] years, I&#8217;ve come to understand that he is [three genuine qualities]. When he introduced me to [PARTNER NAME], I noticed [specific observation about them together]. [GROOM], I am so proud of you. [PARTNER NAME], welcome to [our group \/ the family]. To the couple &#8211; may your life together be [your wish].<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<h3>Template 3: Story-Anchor<\/h3>\n<blockquote>\n<p>I want to tell you about the time [groom] [brief setup of story &#8211; one or two sentences]. What struck me then &#8211; and what I keep coming back to today &#8211; is [the character quality the story reveals]. [PARTNER NAME], you are marrying someone who [that quality applied to them as a couple]. I can&#8217;t think of a better foundation. Please raise your glasses.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<h3>Template 4: Brother \/ Family Version<\/h3>\n<blockquote>\n<p>Being [GROOM]&#8217;s [brother \/ cousin \/ lifelong friend] means I didn&#8217;t choose him &#8211; but if I had, I&#8217;d have chosen him anyway. Growing up, we [shared experience]. What I know about him that a lot of people don&#8217;t: [something real and specific]. [PARTNER NAME], thank you for seeing what I see. To [GROOM] and [PARTNER NAME].<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<h2 id=\"how-to-write\">How to Write Your Best Man Speech: Step-by-Step<\/h2>\n<h3>Step 1: Start Early (4-6 Weeks Out)<\/h3>\n<p>Do not leave this until the week before the wedding. Give yourself room to draft, revise, and let the speech breathe. The best speeches come from a second or third draft, not the first one.<\/p>\n<h3>Step 2: Gather Your Material<\/h3>\n<p>Write a brain-dump list before you write a single sentence of the actual speech. Include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Every memory of the groom that surfaces<\/li>\n<li>Character traits you&#8217;ve observed over time<\/li>\n<li>Things you admire about the couple together<\/li>\n<li>Stories that reveal something true about him<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>You will not use everything. The goal is to give yourself options.<\/p>\n<h3>Step 3: Choose One or Two Stories<\/h3>\n<p>More than two stories &#8211; even good ones &#8211; overwhelm a speech. Pick the stories that are most specific, most character-revealing, and most accessible to everyone in the room. A story the bride&#8217;s parents can follow is better than one only his college friends understand.<\/p>\n<h3>Step 4: Write the Opening and Closing First<\/h3>\n<p>Your opening and closing are the two moments the room will remember most clearly. Draft them separately before you fill in the middle. A strong hook and a strong toast give you anchor points to build around.<\/p>\n<h3>Step 5: Write the Full Draft and Time It<\/h3>\n<p>Write the whole thing out, then read it aloud and time it. If it runs over seven minutes, cut &#8211; not compress. Cutting a full story is better than rushing through three.<\/p>\n<h3>Step 6: Revise for Specificity<\/h3>\n<p>Go through every sentence and ask: is this specific, or is this generic? Replace &#8220;he&#8217;s always been there for me&#8221; with the actual time and place and what happened. Specificity is what makes a speech feel true.<\/p>\n<h3>Step 7: Get a Trusted Read-Through<\/h3>\n<p>Have one person &#8211; ideally someone who knows the groom but isn&#8217;t in the bridal party &#8211; read or listen to your draft. Ask them: is anything confusing? Is anything that might land wrong for people who don&#8217;t know us well?<\/p>\n<h3>Step 8: Practice Out Loud<\/h3>\n<p>Reading in your head is not practice. Stand up. Speak to a wall. Record yourself on your phone and play it back. Do at least five full run-throughs in the week before the wedding.<\/p>\n<p><p style=\"text-align: center; margin: 32px 0;\">\n  <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/images.pexels.com\/photos\/8035300\/pexels-photo-8035300.jpeg?auto=compress&#038;cs=tinysrgb&#038;dpr=2&#038;h=750&#038;w=1260\" alt=\"best man rehearsing his wedding speech with notes spread on a desk, focused indoor preparation, natural light\"\n       style=\"max-width: 100%; height: auto; display: inline-block; border-radius: 4px;\"\n       loading=\"lazy\" \/>\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"delivery\">How to Deliver a Best Man Speech (Public Speaking Tips)<\/h2>\n<p>Writing a great speech is half the work. Delivery is the other half.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Slow down.<\/strong> The single most common mistake nervous speakers make is rushing. Speak at 70% of the speed you think is correct. Pause after punchlines. Pause before the toast. Silence is not dead air &#8211; it is emphasis.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Make eye contact.<\/strong> Look at the groom and partner when you mention them directly. Sweep the room periodically. Do not stare at your notes.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Use notes.<\/strong> There is no honor in memorizing your speech and then blanking mid-sentence. Use a card or printed sheet. Number your pages. Know the material well enough that the notes are a safety net, not a script.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Project your voice.<\/strong> Aim for the back of the room. If you&#8217;re unsure whether you&#8217;re loud enough, you&#8217;re probably not.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Own the pause before the toast.<\/strong> Build to your final line, then stop. Make eye contact with the couple. Say the toast clearly and confidently. Do not rush it.<\/p>\n<p><strong>On nerves:<\/strong> A small amount of adrenaline is an asset. It sharpens you. Deep breaths before you stand up. Arrive at the microphone knowing your opening line cold &#8211; the first ten seconds are the hardest, and once you&#8217;re past them, the nerves drop.<\/p>\n<p>For structured guidance on managing public speaking anxiety, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.toastmasters.org\/resources\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\">Toastmasters public speaking resources<\/a> are genuinely useful &#8211; their framework for short prepared speeches maps directly to the best man context.<\/p>\n<table style=\"width:100%;border-collapse:collapse;margin:24px 0;\">\n<thead>\n<tr style=\"text-align:left;\">\n<th style=\"background:#1a1a1a;color:#fff;padding:11px 16px;text-align:left;\">Item<\/th>\n<th style=\"background:#1a1a1a;color:#fff;padding:11px 16px;text-align:left;\">Done?<\/th>\n<th style=\"background:#1a1a1a;color:#fff;padding:11px 16px;text-align:left;\">Notes<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr style=\"background:#f9f9f9;\">\n<td style=\"padding:11px 16px;\">Draft written and timed<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:11px 16px;\">[ ]<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:11px 16px;\">Target 3-5 min<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"background:#fff;\">\n<td style=\"padding:11px 16px;\">Opening line memorized cold<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:11px 16px;\">[ ]<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:11px 16px;\">Know it without notes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"background:#f9f9f9;\">\n<td style=\"padding:11px 16px;\">Toast line memorized cold<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:11px 16px;\">[ ]<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:11px 16px;\">Deliver it to the room, not the paper<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"background:#fff;\">\n<td style=\"padding:11px 16px;\">Trusted person has reviewed it<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:11px 16px;\">[ ]<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:11px 16px;\">Check for anything that might land wrong<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"background:#f9f9f9;\">\n<td style=\"padding:11px 16px;\">Practiced out loud 5+ times<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:11px 16px;\">[ ]<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:11px 16px;\">Standing up, timed<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"background:#fff;\">\n<td style=\"padding:11px 16px;\">Notes printed, pages numbered<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:11px 16px;\">[ ]<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:11px 16px;\">Large font, double-spaced<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"background:#f9f9f9;\">\n<td style=\"padding:11px 16px;\">Confirmed timing with MC\/venue<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:11px 16px;\">[ ]<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:11px 16px;\">Know when you&#8217;re on and for how long<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"background:#fff;\">\n<td style=\"padding:11px 16px;\">Microphone check done<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:11px 16px;\">[ ]<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:11px 16px;\">If applicable, during rehearsal<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<div style=\"background:#fdf6ee;border:1.5px solid #c9a96e;border-radius:6px;padding:20px 24px;margin:28px 0;\">\n<p><strong>Working on the wedding words, not just the speech?<\/strong> Our complete guide to <a href=\"\/blog\/wedding-vows-complete-guide\/\">writing wedding vows<\/a> covers every style from traditional to <a href=\"\/blog\/modern-wedding-vows\/\">modern wedding vows<\/a> &#8211; with 50+ examples and a step-by-step writing framework.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<h2 id=\"mistakes\">What to Avoid: 12 Common Mistakes<\/h2>\n<h3>1. Talking mostly about yourself<\/h3>\n<p>Your job is to honor the groom and welcome the couple. If more than 15% of your speech is about your own feelings, experiences, or perspective without tying it back to them, rebalance.<\/p>\n<h3>2. Inside jokes with a two-person audience<\/h3>\n<p>A story requires enough context that someone who wasn&#8217;t there can follow it. If the punchline only lands for people at the stag do, cut it or explain it.<\/p>\n<h3>3. Mentioning ex-partners<\/h3>\n<p>Never. Not even as a &#8220;look how far he&#8217;s come&#8221; comparison. It is disrespectful to the couple and uncomfortable for everyone in the room.<\/p>\n<h3>4. Getting too drunk before your speech<\/h3>\n<p>If speeches happen during dinner service, you may have had a glass or two by the time you stand up. That is fine. Six drinks is not fine. Your one job is to be coherent and sincere &#8211; don&#8217;t undermine it.<\/p>\n<h3>5. Going well over time<\/h3>\n<p>Respect the program. Seven minutes is the absolute maximum. If you&#8217;re running close, cut a story &#8211; don&#8217;t compress the delivery.<\/p>\n<h3>6. Reading directly from your phone<\/h3>\n<p>A phone is not a notecard. The screen can go dark. The font is small. And holding a phone to your face creates a barrier between you and the room. Print your notes.<\/p>\n<h3>7. Making the couple visibly uncomfortable<\/h3>\n<p>If the groom looks mortified, that is a problem regardless of how funny you thought the story was. When in doubt, run stories by the groom in advance.<\/p>\n<h3>8. Forgetting to mention the partner<\/h3>\n<p>Some best man speeches treat the wedding day as a tribute to the groom and barely acknowledge the person he is marrying. This is a significant miss. The transition section exists for a reason.<\/p>\n<h3>9. Ending on a flat note<\/h3>\n<p>&#8220;Anyway, cheers&#8221; is not a toast. Your final line should be something you&#8217;ve thought about and rehearsed. It is the last thing the room hears from you.<\/p>\n<h3>10. Starting with &#8220;Webster&#8217;s dictionary defines marriage as&#8230;&#8221;<\/h3>\n<p>Or any cliche opener. Also: &#8220;For those of you who don&#8217;t know me, I&#8217;m [Name]&#8230;&#8221; is fine, but &#8220;For those of you who do know me, you&#8217;ll know I&#8217;m terrible at speeches&#8221; is a self-fulfilling setup. Avoid it.<\/p>\n<h3>11. Making it a roast without the warmth<\/h3>\n<p>Roast-style speeches can be brilliant, but they require a sincere pivot to genuine feeling before the toast. If the speech is 90% jokes with no emotional landing, it will feel hollow.<\/p>\n<h3>12. Skipping practice<\/h3>\n<p>This is the most avoidable mistake on the list. Speakers who under-prepare lose their place, speak too fast, and fail to land the emotional beats. There is no substitute for standing up and doing the full speech out loud, multiple times.<\/p>\n<div style=\"background:#fdf6ee;border:1.5px solid #c9a96e;border-radius:6px;padding:20px 24px;margin:28px 0;\">\n<p><strong>Set the tone from the very first envelope.<\/strong> Your <a href=\"\/us\/browse\/wedding-invitations\/\">wedding invitations<\/a> are the first thing guests experience of the day &#8211; and the speech is the last thing they&#8217;ll remember. Paperlust designs both ends of that experience. Browse the full collection and find the style that fits.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<h2 id=\"faq\">Best Man Speech FAQ<\/h2>\n<p><strong>How long should a best man speech be?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The ideal best man speech is 3-5 minutes, which equates to approximately 500-700 words at a natural speaking pace. This is long enough to include a real story and a proper toast, and short enough to hold every guest&#8217;s attention. Time yourself speaking out loud &#8211; silent reading runs significantly faster.<\/p>\n<p><strong>When does the best man give his speech?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>In most Western wedding receptions, the best man speaks during the dinner reception &#8211; typically after the father of the bride and before or after the maid of honor, depending on the program. In the UK tradition, the order is usually father of the bride, groom, then best man. In the US, the order varies more widely. Confirm the program with the couple or MC in advance.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Should I memorize my best man speech?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>You do not need to memorize the speech word for word. In fact, trying to memorize it perfectly can backfire if you lose your place &#8211; the recovery is harder than with notes. Instead, know the opening line and closing toast by heart, understand the shape of each story, and use a printed card as a guide. The goal is fluency and confidence, not performance.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Is it OK to have notes during a best man speech?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Yes, absolutely. Having notes is expected and professional. Print your speech in a large, clear font on card stock. Number the pages. You may refer to them as much as you need to. What matters is that you look up regularly and connect with the room &#8211; not that you deliver from memory.<\/p>\n<p><strong>What should you NOT say in a best man speech?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Avoid: any mention of ex-partners, stories that embarrass the bride or groom without their pre-approval, inside jokes the majority of the room won&#8217;t follow, anything involving bodily functions, political commentary, and anything the groom has explicitly asked you to skip. When in doubt, the test is simple: would you be comfortable if the partner&#8217;s grandmother heard this? If not, cut it.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Do I have to give a toast at the end?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Yes. The toast is not optional &#8211; it is the formal purpose of your role in the program. It does not need to be elaborate. &#8220;Please raise your glasses to [Groom] and [Partner]&#8221; is a complete toast. The speech is what you build up to that moment. Do not end without it.<\/p>\n<h2>As Featured In<\/h2>\n<p>Paperlust has been featured in <strong>Vogue, Martha Stewart Weddings, Brides, The Sydney Morning Herald, Cosmopolitan Bride, and Elle<\/strong>. Our stationery is designed by independent artists and printed with the highest quality materials available &#8211; from classic flat print to foil, letterpress, and more.<\/p>\n<h2>Related Reading<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"\/blog\/maid-of-honor-speech-examples\/\">Maid of Honor Speech: 20 Examples + How to Write Yours<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/blog\/father-of-the-bride-speech-examples\/\">Father of the Bride Speech: Complete Guide + Examples<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/blog\/wedding-vows-complete-guide\/\">Wedding Vows: The Complete Guide for 2026<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/blog\/modern-wedding-vows\/\">Modern Wedding Vows: 50 Examples + How to Write Your Own<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div style=\"background:#fdf6ee;border:1.5px solid #c9a96e;border-radius:6px;padding:20px 24px;margin:28px 0;\">\n<p><strong>While you&#8217;re planning the words, don&#8217;t forget the paper.<\/strong> The wedding reception experience lives in the details: the invitation guests keep, the <a href=\"\/us\/browse\/wedding-menu\/\">menu cards<\/a> at each table, the programs guests hold during the ceremony. Paperlust designs everything with the same care you&#8217;re putting into this speech. <a href=\"\/us\/browse\/wedding-invitations\/\">Browse wedding invitations<\/a> and find your style.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><script type=\"application\/ld+json\">\n{\n  \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\n  \"@type\": \"HowTo\",\n  \"name\": \"How to Write a Best Man Speech\",\n  \"description\": \"A step-by-step guide to writing and delivering a memorable best man speech, covering structure, examples, and delivery tips.\",\n  \"totalTime\": \"PT4W\",\n  \"estimatedCost\": {\n    \"@type\": \"MonetaryAmount\",\n    \"currency\": \"USD\",\n    \"value\": \"0\"\n  },\n  \"step\": [\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"HowToStep\",\n      \"name\": \"Gather your material\",\n      \"text\": \"Write a brain-dump list of every memory, story, and character observation about the groom before drafting a single sentence. 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