Best Man's Speech

The best man's speech has been known to make or break many friendships in the past. While a best man's speech can be funny, serious or sentimental it must never devolve into an insult speech.

Writing a speech is no easy matter. And in many ways, the best man has the hardest job, because you will want to write a speech in advance, but not have it be so set in stone that it will not allow you to insert significant events from the day's ceremonies in to the speech.

If you're the best man at a wedding, you can be sure that you'll be asked to be very a involved participant besides doing just the best man speech at the reception. Other duties may include organizing the stag party and giving a speech at the wedding breakfast. While it is typical for the best man's speech to be humorous and include a fair number of jabs at the groom, you do not want to be too offensive. After all, the whole family is going to be present.

While the best man's speech might make reference to other members of the family, do not make them the targets of your jokes. While you might wish to play the jokester, take in to consideration that different people present might be more sensitive than the groom to your brand of humor.

No matter what you might think of the occasion, it is a good idea to moderate your alcohol intake before you deliver the best man speech. No one thinks it is funny to see a speaker get up who is completely plastered. Getting drunk will ensure that you slur your words, making it hard for people to understand you, that you will say things you might regret later, and that you will probably not be as funny as you think you are at the time.

And remember, that your performance will most likely be caught on tape for all to see for years to come.

If you make sly references or inside jokes, keep in mind that only a couple people will get what your references are. Instead, you'll want to use humor that everyone at the wedding can enjoy. You also do not want to completely tarnish the groom's reputation, but will want to build his reputation instead. Remember, this day is about the bride and groom and not any kinds of payback that can take place at a more appropriate time.

The bride should not be a target of your jokes. In fact, if you're going to make jokes, then they should be to flatter the bride at the groom's expense. Building the bride up and then telling how the groom doesn't measure up in a lighthearted way is a time-honored tradition.

A good way of writing the best man's speech is to talk to the groom's family beforehand, learn their names and get some ideas from them. You can also find books of Best Man speeches along with other resources for ideas on the Internet.

Keep in mind that there will be children present when you make the best man's speech. This is why you do not want to be too vulgar or use any curse words while speaking. Find a way to be witty without being offensive. You'll want to endear yourself to the family at large, while making sure that your best man's speech adds to the reception rather than detracts from it.

The main point of the best man's speech, however, is to lead a toast. Toast first to the bridesmaids, who you should acknowledge as the most attractive ladies in the room, besides the bride of course. Then toast to the bride and groom and honor their marriage with the utmost of your ability. Make the best man's speech personal, humorous and sentimental knowing that it will be replayed in the hearts and minds of the guest for years to come.