What to Include in a Best Man Speech (Without Rambling or Ruining the Wedding)

There are few moments in life as surreal as standing in front of a ballroom of people—champagne glass in hand, spotlight in your face—knowing that your next words will either make everyone laugh, cry… or wish they were back at the buffet line.

If you’ve been chosen as a best man, congratulations. It means the groom sees you as someone he trusts, respects and probably has a few ridiculous inside jokes with. But with that honour comes a small mountain of pressure: the speech.

Don’t worry. I’ve got you. Whether you’re giving it in a ritzy hotel ballroom or a cosy rooftop garden venue, here’s what to include in your best man speech to make sure it’s meaningful, memorable and maybe even a little magical.

1. Start Strong—But Skip the Stand-Up Routine

Yes, you want to open with a bit of humour. But keep it light, warm and personal—not a stand-up set.

• A quick thank you to the hosts (often the couple or their families).
• A gentle icebreaker—something relatable about weddings, love, or your experience writing the speech. (“When I Googled ‘how to give a best man speech without crying’, I didn’t expect it to be so unhelpful.”)

The goal is to disarm the room, not dominate it.

2. Share Your Story With the Groom

This is your moment to honour your friendship.

• How you met (childhood, army, school, that random Mahjong group).
• A meaningful or funny story that shows who the groom is.
• A moment that made you realise he was ready for love—or just an endearing quirk (like his obsession with bubble tea topping ratios).

Keep it real. The best speeches come from authenticity, not perfection.

3. Bring in the Bride

This part is non-negotiable: you must talk about the bride.

• Mention the first time you saw them together, and how things changed (his fashion sense? Punctuality? Frequency of sending reels?).
• Compliment her—sincerely. Don’t just say “she’s beautiful.” Say, “She’s grounded him in the best way” or “She laughs at his terrible puns. That’s true love.”

This is about showing that you see their connection. Your job is to help the room feel it too.

4. Add Just the Right Amount of Humour

Sprinkle in some laughs. But choose class over cringe.

• Groom’s bad haircut phases
• His old crush on a Channel 8 actress
• How he practiced his proposal on you

• Anything R-rated
• Ex-girlfriend stories
• Inside jokes that require a PhD in your bromance to understand

If you’re unsure whether something is too much—cut it. There’s no award for “edgiest best man.”

5. Offer a Bit of Wisdom or Reflection

You don’t need to go full Shakespeare, but a short reflection on love or marriage grounds the speech.

• A quote you actually believe in (not from Reddit)
• A piece of advice you’ve learned from your own relationship (or watching your parents’)
• A personal belief about commitment or growth

This turns your speech from “funny bro talk” into something that lands with the room.

6. End With Heart, Then Toast

• Reaffirming your joy for the couple
• Wishing them strength, laughter and years of happiness together

Then raise your glass and toast with warmth.

Something simple like:

“To love, laughter, and a lifetime of learning each other. To [Bride] and [Groom]!”

Bonus Tips

• Keep it under 6 minutes. No one wants to miss dessert for your monologue.
• Check with the couple if there are sensitive topics to avoid.
• Practice. Even a casual tone needs some rehearsal.
• Speak slowly. Nervous? Pause, breathe, smile.
• Don’t wing it. You’re not improv-ing at a wedding, please.

Final Thoughts

Being the best man isn’t about being the funniest or flashiest guy in the room. It’s about standing tall for someone who matters and giving the room a glimpse of why this couple is meant to be.

So take the mic. Tell the story. Honour the moment.

Because when you speak with heart, people remember.

Not the jokes. Not the perfect words. But the feeling you left behind.