Need some best man speech ideas or a few tips and pointers? Making the wedding toast may seem like a difficult thing, but take a deep breath and relax because it’s really not that bad! Whether you are a great public speaker short on ideas, or a great best friend short on public speaking skills, these best man speech ideas are sure to help!

bride and groom holding champagne

Wedding Toast Writing 101

Ready, set, write! Here are some things to keep in mind when setting out to write your speech.

  • The best man speech should be brief, but not too brief
  • It should sound spontaneous, not like a formal speech
  • First, get everyone’s attention (a microphone works great)
  • Introduce yourself as the best man, and say you are going to toast the couple
  • Thank the bride’s parents for putting on the celebration
  • Tell what an honor it was to be chosen as best man
  • Mention how long you’ve known the happy couple
  • Choose a few adjectives that best describe them individually and/or as a couple
  • Tell an amusing anecdote about the couple or say how they met
  • Reference a marriage quote that describes them (or totally doesn’t!)
  • Have fun, but don’t humiliate the bride or groom for the sake of humor
  • End on a serious note, expressing your best wishes for two of them

Think you’re done writing the best man speech? Be sure to have a friend (not the bride or groom!) review it and suggest changes. Read the speech aloud a few times, and change any phrases where you find yourself stumbling over your words. Once the speech is finalized, transfer it onto a note card and practice, practice, practice! You should have it memorized for the most part… but don’t worry about reciting it word for word! It should sound spontaneous. Also, come speech time, you might get more nervous than practicing in your bedroom mirror, so make sure to have the note card for reference just in case.

Best Man Speech Ideas & Samples

Here is a sample best man speech so you get an idea of how it might sound when you finish your speech writing:

“As Aaron’s best man, I wanted to say a few words and offer a toast to the bride and groom.

First of all, I want to say thank you to all of you for coming. Thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Wagner for putting on such an incredible celebration. And thank you to Aaron for choosing me as your best man. It’s an honor.

Aaron and I have been best friends since grade school, and if there’s one thing I can say about him it’s that he’s an honorable man. Not only has he served in the US Armed Forces, but he’s always carried himself with dignity and integrity — (pause and smirk) though he does like to get a little crazy sometimes when he drinks.

I remember one time when we took a road trip to Boston, we decided to go out to a local bar one night. Well, let’s just say Aaron had a little too much to drink. When the bartender left to restock the olives, Aaron is literally laying over the bar with his mouth to the tap! (act out what that looked like) I’m not kidding! Let’s hope none of that happens tonight!

But if there’s one thing that’s for sure, Aaron loves Lauren with all of his heart, and it shows. When he talks about her, his whole face lights up. It reminds me of the way my grandfather used to talk about my grandma — like he was telling the story of how he found a buried treasure. (pause and smile) Today Aaron married the woman he loves, and I am confident this is a marriage that will last a lifetime.

I truly believe that he will show the same love, dedication and protection for his new wife as he has in serving his country for 6 years in the armed forces. It takes a great man to serve his country, and it takes a greater man to serve his wife. Aaron Harrington is that man.

Aaron and Lauren, I think I speak for everyone in wishing you a very happy marriage together. May the joys you share today be the beginning of a lifetime of great happiness and fulfillment. Congratulations.”

Not crazy about public speaking? Here’s a sample of a beyond-brief speech that’s still quite appropriate for a best man:

“Tom and Kristen, I just wanted to say Congratulations. We’re all so happy for the two of you. Cheers!”

Now you can sit back, relax and enjoy the wedding reception, having delivered a great best man speech, whether short or long.