Though being a best man is definitely an honour, having to write and give a speech in front of a room full of your friend’s nearest and dearest can be a bit daunting. However confident you are at public speaking, providing one of the most important and anticipated moments of the wedding can be intimidating to say the least.
If you’ve got a best man’s speech coming up any time soon, here are a few pointers to help ensure your fifteen minutes of fame are memorable for all the right reasons.
DO: Keep it clean
Though you can push the boundaries with a few innuendos and risqué anecdotes, it is best to avoid swearing altogether. Even if the guests are mostly young, you never know who you may offend if you turn the air blue. In short, make sure you keep it clean.
DON’T: Mention the Ex
This one should be obvious. And as Thebestmanspeech.com points out, “if you can’t see why talking about his exes on your mate’s wedding day might upset some people (not least the bride), then you’re probably already heading for a Best Man disaster of epic proportions”. So err on the side of caution and write the Ex out of the speech altogether.
DO: Make a plan
If you’re comfortable talking in public and know how to work an audience, it can be tempting to leave your speech writing until the last minute or even to improvise on the day. However, alcohol, adrenaline and pressure can take a serious toll, causing you to become tongue-tied when the moment finally arrives.
DON’T: Forget the bride
Though the focus of your speech will be on the groom, it’s important that you don’t forget to mention the bride. In between tales of wild nights on the town, drunken escapades and misadventures, remember to talk about how beautiful the bride is, how happy she has made the groom and how you wish them a happy life together. Throw in a few compliments for their choice of venue and the bridesmaids to earn yourself a few extra brownie points too.
DO: Keep it short
However good your speech is, it will start to lose its sparkle if it drags on for too long. Keep it short, snappy and to the point, and always leave your audience wanting more.
DON’T: Make it all about you
When talking about the groom, you’ll inevitably reference times you spent together and talk about your friendship over the years. However, it’s important that you don’t make the speech just about you as this will alienate the wedding guests and make you look big-headed. Instead, place the focus firmly on the groom and make an effort to mention other friends and family wherever possible.
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